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

Relive the thrill of Outland in WoW: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition, launching February 5, 2026. Flying mounts transform exploration, raids like Karazhan unlock February 19, and new races bring iconic rides. Players agree: mastering mounts accelerates leveling to 70 and PvP dominance. But with rep grinds and rare drops, which prized steed defines your legacy?
Blood Elves (Horde) claim vibrant Hawkstriders from vendors at Thuron's Livery in Eversong Woods. Draenei (Alliance) snag sturdy Elekks right outside the Exodar on Azuremyst Isle. These ground mounts hit 60% or 100% speeds, requiring Journeyman Riding (level 40, 100g training). Non-natives need Exalted rep with Silvermoon City or Exodar.
Mount Type | Faction | Colors (60%/100%) | Vendor Location | Cost (100% Epic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawkstrider | Horde (BE) | Black/Red/Purple/Blue/Pink | Thuron's Livery, Eversong Woods | 100g (native) / Exalted |
Elekk | Alliance (D) | Brown/Purple/Gray/Blue/Green | Outside Exodar, Azuremyst Isle | 100g (native) / Exalted |
Application Analysis: Blood Elf Paladins pair Purple Swift Hawkstrider with Hellfire quests—cuts travel 40%. Draenei Shamans use Great Blue Elekk for efficient group pulls in pre-patch zones.
Expert Insight: Optimal path: AV cloth turn-ins grind multi-city Exalted rep at once, unlocking cross-racials fast. Potential risk: Queue spikes post-launch delay access.
Flying trains launch-ready in Shadowmoon Valley: Alliance at Wildhammer Stronghold (Brunn Flamebeard), Horde at Shadowmoon Village (Dama Wildmane). Expert Riding (60%, 800g training); Artisan (280%, 5,000g training).
Flying Mount | Faction | Speed | Colors (Armor) | Mount Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gryphon | Alliance | 280% | Blue/Green/Red/Purple | 200g |
Wyvern | Horde | 280% | Yellow/Purple/Green/Red | 200g |
Cenarion War Hippogryph | Neutral | 280% | Unique | 2,000g (Exalted) |
Application Analysis: Green Gryphon halves Zangarmarsh herb loops. Horde Wyverns dodge Blade's Edge ground fire in PvP.
Expert Insight: Rush Cenarion Expedition Exalted: Unidentified Plant Parts (250 rep/10 to Honored), then Steamvault armaments. Risk: Nagrand Halaa control flips block Talbuk tokens.
Exalted reps unlock gems like Talbuks (Mag'har Horde / Kurenai Alliance via ogre beads) and Cenarion Hippogryph. Halaa's Dark Talbuks use PvP battle tokens + crystal powder when owned.
Rep Faction | Mount | Req | Grind Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Cenarion Expedition | War Hippogryph | Exalted | Plants → Steamvault armaments |
Mag'har / Kurenai | Talbuk | Exalted | 10x ogre beads (500 rep) |
Sha'tari Skyguard | Nether Ray | Exalted | Terokkar dailies + Skettis mobs |
Application Analysis: War Talbuks boost Nagrand skirmishes; group ogres for beads + Consortium side rep.
Expert Insight: Blade's Edge ogres drop beads + trash gold—dual gains. Risk: Daily fatigue abandons Phase 1 grinds.
Karazhan (Feb 19) drops Fiery Warhorse (~1% Attumen). Heroic Sethekk's Anzu yields Raven Lord (1%). Brewfest rams via prize tickets; Hallow's End possible seasonal.
Source | Mount | Drop Rate | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
Karazhan | Fiery Warhorse | ~1% | Feb 19 |
Sethekk Heroic | Raven Lord | ~1% | Launch |
Brewfest | Swift Brewfest Ram | Quest/Tickets | Seasonal |
Application Analysis: Fiery Warhorse flexes in Org parades; Raven Lord speeds Shadowmoon nodes.
Expert Insight: Multi-alt Heroic Sethekk via Druid Flight quest summons. Risk: Lockouts strand casuals without guild swaps.
Base flight is 280%. Use the Skybreaker Whip/Crop (+10% multiplicative, ~38% effective on flight). Paladin Crusader Aura (+20% group); Hunter Animal Handler (+8%).
Boost | Source | % Increase | Stacks? |
|---|---|---|---|
Skybreaker Whip | Vendor | +10% | No—beats Classic +9% |
Crusader Aura | Paladin | +20% | Group only |
Animal Handler | Hunter | +8% | Solo max |
Application Analysis: Paladins aura-farm dungeons to 70; Hunters Whip solo bursts.
Expert Insight: 380% flight total (+run) + Whip = 418%. Risk: Hoarding redundant spurs clogs bags.
Visit Shadowmoon trainers post-Feb 5: 800g Expert (60%) + 100g mount; 5,000g Artisan (280%) + 200g mount. Boost on Jan 13 to earn Hellfire quest gold early. Outland-native access, no Cold Weather Flying required.
Cenarion War Hippogryph (Exalted via Steamvault runs) and Talbuks (Exalted via beads). Group farm armaments; solo plant parts to Honored first to maximize efficiency.
Feb 19 for Karazhan (Fiery Warhorse). Tempest Keep (Ashes of Al'ar) follows in Phase 2. Pug weekly and prep your consumables to secure these rare drops.
Reach Exalted with Silvermoon City or Exodar via AV cloth turn-ins or low-level quests. The epic version costs 100g once reputation is maximized.
Aim for 280% base + Skybreaker Whip (~38% boost). Paladins provide the best group travel via Crusader Aura. Note: Speed boosts do not stack; Whip is superior to older spurs. MMOJUGG tip: Use a macro for Whip swaps.
Arena Season 1 begins Feb 17. The top 0.5% in each bracket will earn the 310% speed Nether Drakes at the end of the season. Gear up now to stay competitive.
TBC Anniversary mounts power your Outland experience—from Livery Hawkstriders to prestigious raid drops. Grind smart, fly high, and secure your stable early.
Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for the latest on WoW TBC Classic Anniversary. Bookmark us for phase updates, and browse our WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Gold Shop to accelerate your mount collection and riding skills.
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