Time: 2026-01-08 by mmojugg Game: WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Guide Tags: TBC Classic Anniversary Riding

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.
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.
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.
Post-70, portal to Shadowmoon. Faction camps host all.
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)
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.
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.
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%).
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.
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.
They are in Shadowmoon Valley only: Alliance at Wildhammer Stronghold (Ilsa Blusterbrew), Horde at Shadowmoon Village (Olrokk). Vendors are located adjacent to the trainers.
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.
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.
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.
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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