Taming Azeroth: A Cataclysm Mount Cost Breakdown (And Then Some!)

So, you’re gearing up for some aerial or terrestrial adventures in Cataclysm and wondering what the price of vehicular freedom will set you back? The short answer is: it varies! Mount costs in Cataclysm aren’t a flat fee, but rather depend on several factors. Expect to spend anywhere from a few gold pieces for basic level 20 mounts to thousands for rare and prestige options. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how much gold (and sometimes reputation and achievements) you’ll need to pony up (pun intended!) for your desired ride.

Breaking Down the Costs: More Than Just Gold

While gold is the primary currency for acquiring mounts, the actual cost equation in Cataclysm involves more than just emptying your coin purse. Several factors influence the final price:

• Mount Type: Basic riding skill mounts are naturally the cheapest. Flying mounts, especially faster ones, tend to cost significantly more. Special mounts from vendors, achievements, or reputations often command a premium.
• Reputation: Many factions offer unique mounts, but only after you’ve earned their respect. Reaching Exalted reputation with a faction is often a prerequisite, and this reputation grind can take considerable time and effort.
• Riding Skill Level: You need to possess the appropriate riding skill (Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Artisan, Master) to use a mount. Training costs gold and increases with each tier.
• Faction Discounts: Being Revered or Exalted with a faction that sells mounts will generally net you a 10-20% discount. This can make a substantial difference, especially with expensive mounts.
• Achievements: Some mounts are awarded upon completion of challenging achievements. While “free” in terms of gold, the time and skill investment required can be substantial.
• Vendor Location: Prices may slightly differ between vendors, although this is less common in Cataclysm than in previous expansions.
• Guild Perks: Being in a guild with specific perks unlocked can sometimes reduce the cost of certain services, including riding skill training.

Essential Mounts: The Bare Minimum

Before chasing those fancy, rare mounts, you’ll need the basics. These are the mounts you’ll need to simply get around and efficiently level up:

• Level 20 Mount (Apprentice Riding): These are your starting mounts. Costs typically range from 4-10 gold, including the training cost for Apprentice Riding (75 skill). These are your ground-based steeds.
• Level 40 Mount (Journeyman Riding): These are ground mounts with a 100% speed increase. Journeyman riding costs 50 gold, plus the price of the mount itself, typically between 10-40 gold.
• Level 60 Flying Mount (Expert Riding): This is where things get pricier. Expect to pay approximately 250 gold for Expert Riding (150 skill), and another 50-100 gold for the mount itself. This gives you access to basic flying in old-world zones.
• Level 70 Faster Flying Mount (Artisan Riding): Essential for efficient travel in Outland and Northrend. Artisan Riding costs 800 gold (ouch!), and the faster flying mounts themselves usually range from 100-200 gold.
• Level 80 Mount (Master Riding): The pinnacle of riding skill, Master Riding allows for 310% flight speed. The training itself costs a whopping 5000 gold. Mounts themselves are the same as level 70 mounts (100-200 gold).

Note: These prices might vary depending on faction discounts and guild perks.

Rare and Prestige Mounts: Showing Off Your Achievements (and Gold)

This is where the real expense comes in! These mounts aren’t just about getting around; they’re about showing off your dedication, skill, or simply your deep pockets. Here are a few examples:

• Faction Mounts (e.g., Reins of the Albino Drake): Often require Exalted reputation with a specific faction. The mounts themselves usually cost between 1600-2000 gold after the Exalted discount.
• Rare Vendor Mounts (e.g., Sea Turtle): Purchased from specific vendors, often requiring a particular currency or rare drop. The Sea Turtle, for example, is a rare fishing reward.
• Achievement Mounts (e.g., Red Proto-Drake): Awarded for completing specific achievements. While free in gold, these achievements can take significant time and effort. The Red Proto-Drake requires the “What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been” meta-achievement.
• Drop Mounts (e.g., Raven Lord): Dropped by specific bosses, often with a low drop rate. Farming these can be incredibly time-consuming. The Raven Lord drops from Anzu in Sethekk Halls (Heroic).
• Mounts from Raids (e.g., Reins of the Onyxian Drake): Dropped by specific raid bosses. These often have low drop rates and require a dedicated raid group. The Onyxian Drake drops from Onyxia.
• PvP Mounts (e.g., Vicious War Steed): Earned by participating in PvP activities and earning specific ratings. These require skill and dedication in the arena or rated battlegrounds.

These rarer mounts can essentially cost a significant amount of time and resources, since they require a substantial effort to acquire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mount Costs in Cataclysm

1. Can I learn to ride at level 1?

No. In Cataclysm, you need to be at least level 20 to learn Apprentice Riding and acquire your first mount.

2. How do I get a flying mount in Cataclysm?

You need to reach level 60 and purchase Expert Riding. This allows you to fly in the original World of Warcraft zones. Flying in Cataclysm zones requires no additional riding skill beyond Expert.

3. What is the fastest flying speed possible in Cataclysm?

310%. This requires Master Riding, which costs a substantial amount of gold.

4. Are there any free mounts in Cataclysm?

Yes! Several mounts are awarded for completing achievements, such as the Red Proto-Drake (mentioned above) or the Amani Dragonhawk. Class-specific mounts, like the Warlock’s Felsteed, are also obtained through quests, effectively making them “free” (excluding the time investment).

5. Do reputation discounts apply to riding skill training?

Yes! If you are Revered or Exalted with a faction that offers riding skill training, you will receive a discount on the training cost.

6. What’s the easiest way to earn gold for mounts in Cataclysm?

A combination of questing, daily quests, and selling items on the Auction House is the most effective approach. Professions like mining and herbalism can be lucrative for gathering materials to sell. Running dungeons and raids for transmog gear and materials can also be a profitable source of income.

7. Can I share mounts between characters on the same account?

Yes, with the introduction of account-wide mounts, most mounts are now shared between all characters on your account. Some mounts are still character-specific (like the Warlock and Paladin class mounts from old quests.)

8. Are there any mounts exclusive to the Cataclysm expansion?

Yes! Many of the faction mounts introduced in Cataclysm, such as those from Therazane and the Guardians of Hyjal, are exclusive to the expansion. There are also raid and achievement mounts that are specifically tied to Cataclysm content.

9. Is it worth buying the fastest flying speed right away?

While 310% flight speed is undeniably faster, the 5000 gold cost for Master Riding is a significant investment. Consider if the increased speed justifies the cost based on your playing style and gold reserves. If you plan on spending a lot of time flying around, it’s definitely worth it.

10. How do I know which vendors sell mounts in Cataclysm?

Check Wowhead or other World of Warcraft databases. These sites provide comprehensive lists of vendors and the mounts they sell, along with the required reputation levels.

11. Are PvP mounts purely cosmetic, or do they offer any advantages?

PvP mounts are primarily cosmetic. They offer no functional advantage over other mounts of the same speed. Their value lies in demonstrating your prowess in PvP combat.

12. Can I learn riding skills from a trainer in any city?

Not every city has all the riding trainers. Major faction cities (Stormwind for Alliance, Orgrimmar for Horde) typically have all levels of riding training available. Smaller towns might only offer Apprentice and Journeyman training.