Riding around Northrend
by Mike Schramm 
Jan 3rd 2008 at 7:03PM
Bornakk plays it super safe on a question of whether there will be new mounts in Northrend (sometimes I think Bornakk is just a script that is programmed to post "There are no plans to do that at this time" periodically on the forums), but I can tell you for sure: there will, no doubt, be new mounts found in Northrend.The question, however, is what they'll be. We've also heard that Blizzard won't be allowing flying mounts at least in the early parts of Northrend-- they claim that flying allows players to skip content, and they don't want anyone skipping content. But we will be able to use them eventually, and considering the steps that Blizzard has taken (in changing the riding/mount prices), it is almost assured that we'll see a few different mount options come out of Northwind. We've already seen dragons there, and the Blue Dragonflight will be there as well, so that points toward another type of dragon (other than Netherdrakes).
Of course, there's another type of vehicle we'll be riding around on in Northrend-- those siege weapons. It may be that, as Bornakk says, we don't get another riding skill rank to train, but there may be training purchases involved in letting players drive and use siege weapons as well.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Lore, Mounts, BlizzCon, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nati Jan 3rd 2008 7:15PM
Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed Bornakk's posting habits. But it's not really his fault, the devs have specifically told the CMs not to give out any more information about WotLK that hasn't already been given out. I think it's a bad idea since it's killing the hype they created at Blizzcon (I know at least I'm not as excited about the expansion as I was before), but what can you do?
ceckjustin Jan 3rd 2008 7:23PM
100% agreed.
Zakk Jan 3rd 2008 7:39PM
I'm really hoping we get to fly around on those dragons that you ride on in the Caverns of Time. So far, those look like the coolest in-game models to me.
Considering they'll probably be bringing new models into the game for mounts, I'm hoping they give us an armored polar bear like in the Golden Compass. Every time I see those commercials, I'm always thinking about how awesome they would be as WoW mounts (FIRST! to make that comment, by the way ; )). And, of course, the Frost Wyrm for the DK racial mount. That really, really, REALLY needs to be in WotLK...
Zakk Jan 3rd 2008 7:40PM
Class mount, I mean. WI needs an edit feature =(
SaintStryfe Jan 3rd 2008 8:23PM
If engineering doesn't get a special build siege weapon, maybe something that combines goblin explosives and gnomish machinery, I will scream.
Moonbat Jan 3rd 2008 9:09PM
I hope they give druids a new travel form, maybe a snow leopard that only works in the snowy region of Northrend. It would be even cooler if they would just give druids a 100% travel speed for. Perhaps a new Epic quest? I'm sick of mounting up for ground travel when I can simply shift for flight.
Also it would be kewl if people could ride druids. I'm looking for more ways for players to combine abilities. Maybe a mage could 'blink' and switch positions with a friendly warrior. So when a rogue attacks a mage, they end up with a warrior bearing down on them.
Draelar Jan 4th 2008 2:51AM
@6: Mount a druid... now there's a thought to cheer you up in the morning ;).
Dunwich Jan 4th 2008 2:54AM
I think Blizzard are missing a trick with blocking out flying mounts for most of Northrend.
People don't skip good content. They skip crap content.
Mount-wise, I'm hoping for polar bears. 'cause godless killing machines are awesome.
Jerkules Jan 4th 2008 4:49AM
@6 : Alright, but Hunters FINALLY get tame druid then.
(FIRST! to make that comment under that name from this house in 2008, by the way ; )).
Meldas Jan 5th 2008 4:23AM
I guess (or hope?) they will bring new flying mounts which are faster than the standard flying mounts but slower than the epic mounts, along with a new intermediate riding skill (between 225 and 350).
There is a loot of room in between a 60% and a 280% speed increase. And there is also a lot of room in between 800g and 5000g for the riding skill.
Rob Foggon Jan 4th 2008 6:06AM
Lol for a second i thought i read "riding around Northrend in Sledge weapons"......& then after re-reading it i thought that maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea.
Klingers Jan 4th 2008 7:21AM
I think the thing people need to remember is that Blizzard have stated they're NOT blocking flying mounts in Northrend. All they're doing is not letting you use them until about level 68-70, which I kind of agree with.
It lends a more epic feel to the content if you are kind of shepharded through. It also makes the land seem bigger.One has to admit that Outland certainly became a smaller place when we could fly everywhere.
My only objection is going to be anything more than a NOMINAL cost to enable your flyer at the right level. I have deep worries about a 10,000g wing defrosting fee :-/
Neesan Jan 4th 2008 7:31AM
Give frostwyrm mount :O
Spiritofire Jan 4th 2008 10:18AM
@11
Don't you mean lvl 78-80, this isn't outlands you know
Elmo Jan 4th 2008 10:39AM
I just want a (polar) bear for my Dwarf.
Always said dwarves should have had Bears as a racial mount instead of lame goats
spamcatcher Jan 4th 2008 11:51AM
If they completely block flying mounts (which from what I read, they are not) I may become physically violent...especially as I'm in the home stretch of farming up the gold for my epic flying mount.
But yeah...having another ridiculous money sink in the game would be pretty frustrating as well. 5200 gold is ugly enough as it is.