How to Get Flying Mounts in WoW: Burning Crusade Classic

On June 1st, Blizzard Entertainment released Burning Crusade Classic, here’s what players need to know to start flying in this Classic WoW expansion.

The World of Warcraft community has anticipated the re-release of The Burning Crusade or Burning Crusade Classic with a mixture of incredible hype and nervous skepticism (characters boosts and store mounts anyone?). For those who have not kept up with the World of Warcraft news, here's a brief breakdown of the current game environment:  two versions of WoW currently exist and they are split between Retail WoW and Classic WoW. Retail WoW is the current version of the game and its most recent expansion, which, in this case, is Shadowlands (2020). This version of the game is sometimes referred to as "modern" WoW. Classic WoW, on the other hand, restores the game to its original state as released in 2004.

The release of Burning Crusade Classic this June makes this 2007 expansion playable again in the Classic client within the Battlenet platform. Classic certainly demands a playthrough for longtime fans of the game, especially if players have stepped away from the game or if they have been busy grinding Torghast and Castle Nathria in Retail. The most compelling thing about Classic, one could argue, is the pace of the game in relation to both the main story and the speed of combat. The way it feels to play Burning Crusade Classic differs significantly from current iterations from the game.  One wonders, despite all of the various improvements in Retail WoW,  if some of the magic has been lost since The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King. Fear not, BCC is here!

Unlocking Flying Mounts in Burning Crusade Classic

For players brave enough to enter the Dark Portal and the Outlands, the ability to unlock better mounts and more advanced riding/flying skills will be crucial. Veteran players will be all too familiar with the joys and pains of unlocking flying in World of Warcraft. Typically, unlocking flying represents a milestone in terms of the expansion and in terms of individual accomplishment. In Classic and in the newly released BCC, some things are a bit more difficult than in Retail WoW. Finding groups for dungeons will take more time and saving enough gold to unlock flying and flying mounts will also be more time consuming. Still, flying is obviously worth it for a whole host of reasons, including world PvP.

First, players need to acquire the ability to ride a flying mount. This flying skill can be learned by purchasing either "Expert Riding" or "Artisan Riding" from faction specific NPC trainers. However, players will need to reach level 70 before these skills can be acquired. For Alliance players, speak to the NPC "Ilsa Blusterbrew" at Wildhammer Stronghold in Shadowmoon Valley. For Horde players, speak to the NPC "Olrokk" at Shadowmoon Village in Shadowmoon Valley. Shadowmoon Valley is located in the southeastern part of the Outlands, which is east of the Terokkar Forest. The level 70 requirement means characters will have travel on foot until level cap. Keep in mind that Druid players have access to various shapeshift forms that grant better mobility faster. One of these forms includes "Flight Form," which can be acquired at level 68. The list of reasons to main a Druid in WoW continues!

After the long and arduous (but still completely rewarding) journey to reach level cap, players can unlock the initial "Rare" mount quality with 60% increased movement speed from learning Expert Riding. The cost of the riding skill itself is more expensive than purchasing the actual mount. Expert Riding costs 800 gold and the Rare mount costs 100 gold. The "Epic" mount quality, which grants a ridiculous 280% movement speed, can be unlocked from the Artisan Riding skill, which costs a whopping 5,000 gold. The mount associated with this skill costs 200 gold. Suggestion, start saving now. As with so many things in WoW, player faction determines what kind of mounts can be purchased. Alliance has Gryphons available for flying mounts, simply visit NPC "Brunn Flamebeard." Horde has Windriders available for flying mounts, simply visit NPC "Dama Wildmane." Flying mount speed can be augmented by an additional 10% by crafting the "Riding Crop" trinket. This trinket can be crafted using a Burning Crusade Classic leatherworking pattern.

To recap briefly, in order to use flying mounts in BCC, hit level 70. Next, head over to Shadowmoon Valley in the Outlands. Finally, speak to the faction specific NPC who will train players with the appropriate riding skill once it is purchased. Buy the faction specific mount with gold and take the skies!

Next: How to Unlock The Shattered Halls in World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic.

World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic is available on PC and Mac.