Mount changes in 1.12.1
by Jennie Lees 
Sep 14th 2006 at 7:00PM
Hot off the test realm forums comes a big change to mounts and the way we ride them:Mounts now require only one, shared riding skill (blue mounts require level 75, epic mounts, level 150). Also costs of learning this skill are now significally increased. Previously, cost of learning riding skill was 20 gold for each kind of mount, without any discount. Now it will be 90 gold for level 75 and 900 for level 150. Level 150 of riding skills is required for epic mounts and will most probably include PvP mounts and all mounts that drop in instances (Tiger, Raptor, Baron mount, bug mount and maybe paladin and warlock mount too). For now I can confirm that it is required to ride Stormpike Battle Charger, rest of mounts require confirmation.
In addition to the change of riding skills, the costs of Blue and Epic faction mounts has been significally decreased. Now blue mounts costs 10 gold and epic mounts costs 100 gold.
As you can see from this screenshot we took on the European PTR, you'll need exalted to buy a mount (as you do currently), but the items have become bind-on-pickup. We can't tell just by playing on the PTR exactly what will happen to our existing riding skills and mounts, so here's hoping we find out more about this change soon.
Filed under: Patches
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Denry Sep 14th 2006 7:22PM
This change to the mounts to me seems pointless. Why would they need to change the way that mounts work. To be honest this whole thing seem kinda dumb
Sonburn Sep 14th 2006 7:54PM
Could this be any more confusing?
Argent Sep 14th 2006 8:01PM
just a guess: 'flying mounts require 300+ riding skill...'
Bobbo Sep 14th 2006 8:08PM
The benefit in this change seems to be that you can now buy multiple mounts for much cheaper since the biggest cost is front-loaded in the one-time (per level) cost of riding skills. In other words:
existing:
20g riding skills (one time)
80g for each normal mount
900g for each epic mount
new:
90g normal riding skills
900g epic riding skills
10g for each normal mount
100g for each epic mount
So, if you wanted 2 epics, for instance, it currently costs you 1820g. In the new system, it will cost you 1190g (assuming you need to buy the normal riding skills before buying the epic skills).
Abe Sep 14th 2006 8:32PM
at argent
that would be epic flying mounts :P
...I wonder how much those will be
Robert Sep 15th 2006 4:22AM
The new system is not to affect anyone but those lucky few that get the epic mount drops. so instead of a free epic mount saving you 900g now it only saves you 100g and you still have to get the new riding skill. which ends up being 900g for you. so getting a discount is even more crutial. and does this mean your gonna need 60 to train the new lvl. because its currently possible to get an epic at 53 with rank 11 pvp.
flying mounts will prolly have 2 speeds. that way there is a 225 flying and 300 flying. being like 2500g and 5000g or some crazyness.
maybe 100% speed and 120% speed boosts or something.
Abe Sep 14th 2006 10:59PM
christ
if it really was 5000g, those flying mounts better do something special other than flying
I mean, I'm not saying they have to give you an absolutely awesome +1000ap buff but I'm certainly thinking it.loudly.
greatmario Sep 14th 2006 11:16PM
How will this affect those of us who already have epic mounts? Will we get the upgrade to riding skill for free?
dyyne Sep 15th 2006 2:32AM
My head hurts now >.
Undying Sep 15th 2006 8:09AM
And for the people that already have an epic... does it means we have to pay (again) 900g to learn the raiding skill (level 150)? I really hope not!
Adam Sep 15th 2006 9:17AM
Blizzard confirmed on the US forums those with epic mounts already will get the 150 riding skill. This means we'll be able to pick up a new epic for 100g on patch day.
foip Sep 15th 2006 11:04AM
Got warlock mount, going to buy cheap robochicken and AV ram :)
Lance Sep 15th 2006 10:03AM
I was just having a conversation with my girlfriend last night about going and trying to find a new mount for us. Not an epic or anything, but just a regular old, level 40-based mount. We are playing two humans, and we were thinking that (despite reputation bonuses) we could probably find other mounts out there (cats, rams, etc) that would allow our race. I can honestly say that with the idea of changing the 40 mount cost to 10g, I am very curious as to what all we could have. Any chance someone out there could let me know what mounts are available to the humans (other than epics).
Also, to Adam (#10): I would assume that this stands true for 40+ riders as well, correct?
Unkle Sep 15th 2006 10:44AM
I really couldn't see them forcing you to learn the new skills.
I would assume they would be added, in addition to the individual mount skills already in game. They would simply make it so you can only learn the new skill, and not the old ones, but you still keep your old ones, and can still ride your old mounts.
If not that, then I would have to think they would just turn whatever mount skill you have into the appropriate skill set.
I know I would be pissed if I suddenly couldn't ride my old mount, and had to run to places to farm gold so that I could ride him again.
crsh Sep 15th 2006 11:10AM
Wait, the real question is, do all levelled up characters need to re-pay for their mounts? It better not be the case... Also, if you bothered to level your exalted rep with a friendly but not 'native' faction (ie. humans getting exalted with darnassus to ride kitty cats), isn't this (not sure I 'get' it completely tho) a big fat slap in the face?
Theadrick Sep 15th 2006 11:43AM
Ok I am completely confused. I am now almost exalted with Stormwind as a night elf (I want an epic horse). Are you saying I should go ahead and pick up the horse riding skill now (before the patch)? Is it going to be cheaper if I get it now? Or afterward? I just don't get it.
Ironstump Sep 15th 2006 1:22PM
I was just going to buy my epic mount this week, I wonder what will be cheaper buy now, or buy post patch. It looks to be the same unless you're getting one of the lower priced pvp mounts.
Jim Gaynor Sep 15th 2006 2:09PM
Actually, this accomplishes something else:
You can no longer buy mounts for another individual. More importantly, you can't buy a mount using the faction/pvp discount you have and then give/sell that mount to another person.
In my guild, it's been very common for people with the appropriate faction and PvP rank to buy epic mounts for others. Rather than pay 900G myself, I give a guildie 800G and he buys the epic for me.
That's gone now. You can't buy someone else's skills for them - yes, you can give them gold, but that discount you get doesn't transfer - and the mount is BOP. Epic mounts just got a few hundred gold more expensive...
Mike Schramm Sep 15th 2006 1:35PM
As far as I can tell, the cheapest thing to do would be to buy the riding skill now and buy your mount after the expansion. As the article says, we're not really sure what will happen to riding skills after the expansion, but I assume (I might be wrong) that Blizzard won't take what we've already paid for away from us-- I'm guessing the riding skill purchase now will count for at least 150 skill later.
So yes, easy answer: buy skills now, buy mount(s-- at these new prices, it should be easy to have more than one mount) later.
Unkle Sep 15th 2006 4:09PM
I have the same theory as Mike.
I would think it would be cheapest to buy the skill now, and the mount after the patch, as I don't think the skill will be lost.
The only problem I could see with that would be if they change the mounts you can buy post-patch.
Then your old mount would work with the old skill, but mounts after the patch only work with the skill after the patch.