WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Flying: Riding Costs, Trainers, and Druid Perks

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The arrival of flying mounts in WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Edition transforms Outland exploration. Level from 60 to 70 on foot, then unlock skies for hidden quests, farms, and raids. Everyone agrees: epic flying at 280% speed ends flight path reliance. But with 5,000g training costs, how do you fund it without gold drought?

Editor's Note: MMOJUGG distilled this into a quick-read guide from wize gamer's practical video demo and NerdEgghead's in-depth analysis. Support them: wize gamer video, NerdEgghead Wowhead guide.

Ground Mounts: Build Speed Early

TBC shifts riding focus. Training dominates costs, unlike vanilla's mount premiums. Start at level 30 for Apprentice Riding (75 skill, 60% ground speed). No quests needed—just gold.

Riding Tier

Level Req

Skill

Base Train Cost

Mount Cost

Total Cost

Speed

Apprentice

30

75

35g

10g

45g

60%

Journeyman

60

150

600g

90g

690g

100%

Reputation Discounts: Honored with your faction capital (e.g., Stormwind) cuts training 10% (Journeyman drops to 540g). Grind quests naturally while leveling.

  • Playstyle Tip 1: Quest hubs like Hellfire Peninsula build rep passively. Buy Journeyman right at 60 for faster Outland traversal.

  • Playstyle Tip 2: Alt characters? Transfer epic ground mounts pre-launch via bank—saves rep grinds.

Expert Insight: Optimal path—prioritize faction rep to Revered by level 55. Unlocks deeper discounts (up to 20%), netting 480g Journeyman train. Potential risk: Rep focus slows dungeon gearing, delaying badge farms.

Flying Gates: Level 70 Milestone

Hit 70, then fly. Expert Riding (225 skill) enables 60% aerial (slower than epic ground on land). Artisan (300 skill) unlocks 280% air / 100% ground true freedom.

Flying Tier

Skill Req

Train Cost

Mount Cost

Total Cost

Air Speed

Rare (Expert)

Expert

800g

100g

900g

60%

Epic (Artisan)

Artisan

5,000g

200g

5,200g

280%

No Hellfire vendors—patch-moved to Shadowmoon Valley for phase 1 balance. Fly unlocks Tempest Keep, world boss Kazzak, and mote farms.

Strategy: Skip rare flying. Farm 5k gold via primal dailies or AH motes first—Artisan pays off immediately.

Expert Insight: Most optimal—buy during Phase 1 launch (Feb 5). Servers populate slowly; low competition on elemental plateau motes funds it fast. Risk: Early rush-hour queues delay training amid hype.

Trainer Hubs: Shadowmoon Valley Breakdown

Post-70, portal to Shadowmoon. Faction camps host all.

Alliance Locations

  • Trainer: Ilsa Blusterbrew (/way 37.4 56.2, Wildhammer Stronghold)

  • Vendor: Brunn Flamebeard (/way 37.6 56.0)—Gryphons (gold/ebon/snowy rare; blue/red/green/purple epic)

Horde Locations

  • Trainer: Olrokk (/way 29.2 29.2, Shadowmoon Village)

  • Vendor: Dama Wildmane (/way 29.2 29.4)—Windriders (tawny/blue/green rare; red/green/yellow/purple epic)

Tip: Group up at camps—trade tips, form Karazhan pugs.

Druid Edge: Flight Form Mastery

Druids fly earliest. Level 68 class trainer teaches Flight Form (860g total, includes free Expert Riding). Saves 891g vs. others. Instant shift, herb mid-air.

  • Perks: Access Mechanar/Botanica/Arcatraz at 68 for pre-70 gear/attunement. Escape ganks instantly—no cast.

  • Limits: 60% speed; no spells in form.

  • Phase 2: Swift Flight Form quest (Morthis Whisperwing chain, kill Anzu). 280% speed + BiS idol.

Strategy: Level Druids first for herb gold. Report bot Druids hogging nodes.

Expert Insight: Hidden path—68 Flight Form rushes Tempest Keep attune, beating 70s to Karazhan loot. Risk: Freefall deaths if combat-shifted mid-air over hazards.

Premium Mounts: Reps, PvP, Crafts

Vendor basics bland? Grind exclusives.

  • Cenarion Exp.: Hippogryph (1,600g, Exalted)

  • Netherwing: Drake (Free/200g, Exalted)

  • Sha'tari Skyguard: Nether Ray (200g, Exalted)

Tip 1: Steamvault reps for quick Hippogryph. Tip 2: Alt farm dailies—Netherwing ledge is gated by flying. PvP Gladiators: Get 310% armored drakes (top 0.5%).

WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Riding FAQs

How do I acquire Apprentice Riding in TBC Classic Anniversary?

Visit your race's trainer post-level 30 (e.g., Stormwind for humans). Pay 35g base for 75 skill, and buy a 10g mount. Rep honored saves roughly 5g. Ideal for efficient 30-60 questing.

What are the exact costs for epic flying mounts?

Artisan Riding costs 5,000g to train plus 200g for the mount, totaling 5,200g base. No reputation discounts apply to this tier. Farming primal elements or badges can cover this in 2-3 days of full-time gameplay.

Where are flying trainers located in Outland?

They are in Shadowmoon Valley only: Alliance at Wildhammer Stronghold (Ilsa Blusterbrew), Horde at Shadowmoon Village (Olrokk). Vendors are located adjacent to the trainers.

Do faction reputations discount riding training?

Yes, reaching Honored or higher in your capital city (e.g., Orgrimmar) reduces ground and Expert flying training costs by up to 20%. Revered is the optimal target. Note: PvP ranks no longer provide extra cuts.

When can Druids access Flight Form?

At level 68 from any Druid trainer for 860g (requires Journeyman Riding). This includes free Expert Riding. It enables 60% flight for early Tempest Keep access and herb farms. Swift Flight Form (280%) arrives in Phase 2.

What's the best strategy to afford flying on launch?

Pre-farm vanilla gold via AH flips. Post-70, focus on Elemental Plateau motes (fire/water/air/earth), which can sell for 20-50g each. Druids should focus on herbing in Barrier Hills. Avoid buying the rare 60% flying mount—save directly for Artisan.

Thanks for Reading

TBC Anniversary mounts evolve travel: cheap ground early, pricey skies rewarding farms and raids. Master your reps, prioritize Artisan Riding, and leverage Druid perks for a competitive edge.

Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for the latest on WoW TBC Classic Anniversary. Bookmark us for ongoing guides, and browse our WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Gold Shop to fuel your ascent and secure your epic flying mount smoothly.

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