Remember that first mount in Classic WoW? The one you spent weeks saving up for, only to feel broke all over again the second you bought it? Well, that feeling is coming back. WoW Forever, Blizzard’s new “Classic+” version of the game, is expected to be launched on November 4. And just like the old days, getting your first ride means saving up some serious gold. Here is what we know so far and what is still just a bling guess.
The Mount System Got a Facelift
In original Classic, the purchase of a mount was done in the following way: cheap riding lesson, costly animal. Blizzard has since verified Forever Flips that about, instead borrowing the system of The Burning Crusade. Here is the difference. You no longer have to pay a separate amount of money to take a riding lesson and then a horse (or wolf, or kodo, depending on your race). Instead, you need to “invest” a specific amount of money to take a riding lesson. The mount itself is free as soon as you master the art. A trip to the vendor, in effect, one less.
So How Much Gold Do You Really Need?
Blizzard has not specified that yet. There is no official number or official level requirement. With that said, some powerful hints have been found by players who have been digging through the game files of the beta. Their figures are almost identical to old Classic. You need to have level 40 on your first mount and level 60 on the fast epic one. This is further supported by Tim Jones, the Lead Designer, mentioning a player reaching level 40 when discussing the new mount system.
In the case of gold, initial estimates are approximately 100 gold on the first mount and about 1,000 gold on the epic version at 60. It is worth keeping in mind, though, that the beta is not even at level 40 yet. So, no one has tested this live. Take these figures as an estimate.
A Couple of Ways to Save
Reputation can take a slice out of that bill. Reach Honored status with your race home city. Thus, you will receive a 10% discount on riding training and mounts. Stack that with a PvP rank bonus, and you could save up to 20% total. Mounts can also be traded prior to use. So, in theory a friend with a lot of money can purchase one and give it to you. It is convenient when you have a generous guildmate.
Paladins and Warlocks have a record of getting a break here, too. In Classic, the two classes were able to obtain their level 40 mount free of charge via a class quest, requiring no gold. Their level 60s were based on longer questlines rather than a direct gold payment. Forever is already planning to continue that tradition. So, Blizzard is already hinting at a Forsaken Paladin questline to their level 60 charger.
Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute
The biggest mistake players make is ignoring their gold total for weeks, then panicking once they are close to the mount level. A smarter move is banking a little gold from every quest as you go. Thus, the milestone does not sneak up on you.
It is also worth knowing that Forever has no WoW Token this time around. So, there is no quick official shortcut for turning real money into gold in-game. Some players will still look at options like buying WoW Forever gold from outside sellers to skip the saving process entirely. For everyone else, the grind is the whole point.
Why This Matters More in Forever
This is what makes this milestone seem larger than normal. Blizzard affirmed that flying mounts just do not exist in Forever. It belongs to the entire design philosophy of the game, which keeps the players on their feet or on their hooves and allows them to explore the world on foot or on hoofback.
Areas such as the Riverglades and Mount Hyjal are scattered quite far apart. Because of that, your first mount quickly stops being a nice-to-have. It becomes something that makes a noticeable difference in your everyday gameplay.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Blizzard will likely confirm the real numbers once the beta actually reaches level 40. Until then, the safest bet is planning around that familiar 100 gold and 1,000 gold range. Build up your reputation early, check if your class gets a free ride, and save a little gold as you go instead of scrambling at the last second.
Image Courtesy: Supplied
