Where to Buy Mounts for Tauren in World of Warcraft: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve rolled a mighty Tauren, the earth-shaking bovine of the Horde, and now you’re ready to traverse the vast lands of Azeroth (and beyond!) with speed and style. But where do you, a proud Tauren, actually buy your mount? Fear not, aspiring hoof-racer! This guide will detail everything you need to know about acquiring mounts for your Tauren character in World of Warcraft.
The Kodo Connection: Your Racial Mount
The primary and most iconic mount for any Tauren is, of course, the Kodo. These sturdy, four-legged beasts are the racial mount of the Tauren and are steeped in tradition and cultural significance. They perfectly complement the Tauren’s size and strength.
Where to Find Your Kodo Vendor
The Kodo vendor is Harb Clawhoof, located in Bloodhoof Village in Mulgore. His exact coordinates are around 47, 58. He’s hard to miss – look for the Tauren surrounded by Kodos! Harb sells a variety of Kodo mounts in different colors, allowing you to choose a Kodo that fits your personal aesthetic.
Requirements and Costs
Before you can ride a Kodo (or any mount), you’ll need the appropriate riding skill. For ground mounts, this is simply called “Riding.” At lower levels, the riding skill is cheaper. Higher levels, which allow for faster mount speeds, cost more. You also need to be the appropriate level to learn the skill.
The cost of the Kodo mounts themselves varies depending on your reputation with Thunder Bluff.
- Base Cost: 80 gold (This will vary slightly based on the current game version)
- Honored with Thunder Bluff: 72 gold
- Rank 3 in PvP (if applicable): 72 gold
- Honored with Thunder Bluff and Rank 3 in PvP: 64 gold
Improving your reputation with Thunder Bluff is easily achieved by completing quests in Mulgore and donating cloth to the appropriate quartermaster in Thunder Bluff. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change based on game updates and expansions.
Beyond Kodos: Expanding Your Mount Collection
While Kodos are the quintessential Tauren mount, they aren’t the only option! Tauren can ride a variety of mounts, offering a wide range of choices for your character.
Cross-Faction Mounts
Once you reach Exalted reputation with other races, you can purchase their racial mounts. This means a Tauren can ride:
- Wolves (Orc racial mount from Orgrimmar)
- Raptors (Troll racial mount from Durotar)
- Undead Horses (Undead racial mount from Undercity)
- Hawkstriders (Blood Elf racial mount from Silvermoon City)
- Elekk (Draenei racial mount from Exodar)
- Mechanostriders (Gnome racial mount from Dun Morogh – requires a quest to learn)
- Horses (Human racial mount from Elwynn Forest)
- Rams (Dwarf racial mount from Dun Morogh)
- Nightsabers (Night Elf racial mount from Darnassus)
Neutral Mounts
These are mounts that are not tied to a specific race or faction. They are often obtained through quests, achievements, or purchased from specific vendors. Examples include:
- Swift Razzashi Raptor: Obtained from the Zul’Gurub raid.
- Deathcharger’s Reins: Dropped by Lord Aurius Rivendare in Stratholme.
- Various PvP mounts: Earned through PvP activities.
- Faction-specific War Mounts (requires Exalted Reputation and appropriate purchase)
Other Sources of Mounts
- Achievement Mounts: Many achievements in World of Warcraft reward mounts upon completion.
- Dungeon and Raid Mounts: Bosses in dungeons and raids have a chance to drop rare mounts.
- Reputation Mounts: Some factions offer mounts for purchase once you reach Exalted reputation.
- World Event Mounts: Certain world events, like the Midsummer Fire Festival or the Love is in the Air event, offer unique mounts.
- Trading Card Game (TCG) Mounts: Some rare TCG cards contain codes for in-game mounts. These are very expensive, but highly coveted.
- Cash Shop Mounts: Some mounts are available for purchase through the Blizzard store for real money.
- Recruit-A-Friend: Recruit a friend and get special mount rewards!
Finding Your Mount Trainer
To learn the riding skill necessary to use your new mount, you will need to visit a Riding Trainer. Since the Cataclysm expansion, you can learn all levels of Riding from any riding trainer, although it is most convenient to train with the trainer in your faction’s capital city.
Horde Riding Trainers
- Orgrimmar: Markia Moonglow
- Thunder Bluff: Braun Whiteclaw
- Undercity: Zাঁtayla
Alliance Riding Trainers
- Stormwind: Elinor Farendel
- Ironforge: Grimelda Stonebeard
- Darnassus: Jartsam
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What level can Tauren ride mounts in Classic WoW?
You can learn Apprentice Riding (75 skill) at level 20 in Classic WoW.
2. Can Tauren ride horses?
Yes, once you reach Exalted reputation with Stormwind, you can purchase horses from the horse vendor in Elwynn Forest. You must also learn the riding skill.
3. Where can I get a cheap mount as a Tauren?
The cheapest mount for a Tauren will always be the Kodo from Harb Clawhoof in Bloodhoof Village, especially if you have a high reputation with Thunder Bluff.
4. What is the fastest ground mount speed in WoW?
The fastest ground mount speed is 100% increased movement speed, requiring the appropriate riding skill.
5. Can Tauren ride flying mounts?
Yes! Once you reach the appropriate level and learn the flying skill, Tauren can ride any flying mount they obtain.
6. What is the best way to increase my Thunder Bluff reputation?
Completing quests in Mulgore and donating cloth to the quartermaster in Thunder Bluff are excellent ways to increase your Thunder Bluff reputation. Wool Cloth and Mageweave Cloth are particularly effective.
7. Where can I find a Raptor mount?
You can purchase Raptor mounts from the Raptor vendor in Sen’jin Village in Durotar once you are Exalted with the Darkspear Trolls. You may find Raptor mounts from other sources, too.
8. What is the best mount for a Tauren Druid?
That’s a matter of personal preference! Some Druids prefer mounts that complement their class, such as the Cenarion War Hippogryph or mounts earned through Druid class hall campaigns.
9. Do heirloom items affect mount training costs?
No, heirloom items do not affect mount training costs. However, some heirloom sets do grant an experience bonus.
10. How do I get the Argent Tournament mounts?
You can earn mounts from the Argent Tournament by completing daily quests and earning Champion’s Seals. The Tournament is located in Icecrown.
11. Can I buy mounts from the Auction House?
While you cannot directly buy a mount from the Auction House, you can buy items that are required to obtain certain mounts, such as materials for crafting Engineering mounts or items to increase your reputation with a specific faction.
12. What is the most challenging mount to obtain in WoW?
The “most challenging” is subjective, but mounts that require extremely rare drops, high PvP skill, or significant time investment are generally considered the most challenging. Examples include the Ashes of Al’ar, Invincible, and certain Gladiator mounts.
13. Where can I find more information about mounts in World of Warcraft?
Wowhead (wowhead.com) is an excellent resource for all things World of Warcraft, including detailed information on mounts, where to find them, and how to obtain them.
14. Can I ride a mount at level 1 in WoW?
No, you must reach level 10 to unlock your mount, but that is only if you level in Exile’s Reach. Otherwise, the starting level is 20.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational benefits of gaming?
The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource! Check out their website for research, articles, and discussions about the intersection of games and learning: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Conclusion
Obtaining a mount is a rite of passage in World of Warcraft, and for Tauren, it’s a chance to embrace their cultural heritage with the mighty Kodo. However, the possibilities are endless, from cross-faction steeds to rare and coveted mounts obtained through challenging content. Happy riding, and may your hooves (or paws, or claws) carry you far!