Revisiting epic flyer costs
by Mike Schramm 
Jun 11th 2008 at 3:00PM
Drysc has written a book about epic flying mount costs on the forums -- there aren't many goldsinks left in the game, but that 5000g you've got to pay for an epic flying mount is still there for sure (just ask anyone who doesn't have one).He says that yes, the flying mount is definitely worth it (it makes playing the game much faster, since most of the time spent in the game is actually travel anyway), but also that actually obtaining an epic flyer was always meant to be optional -- only for players who want to "go the extra mile." Not sure how he can say both of those things at the same time, but there you go. He also says the main consideration in the cost wasn't any effect on the economy, but rather simply making sure that it took a certain amount of time for players to obtain all that gold -- they averaged how quickly players could pick up gold versus how long they wanted players to work for the mount, and arrived at 5000g.
There is some (kind of) good news on the horizon for players who don't want to spend all that money, however. If and/or when Blizzard releases a higher riding skill, Drysc says they'll probably drop the price on this one. Of course, that doesn't really tell us anything concrete -- with the onset of siege vehicles, there may be all kinds of changes to how riding and driving works in the game. Until then, keep grinding, because apparently the only thing that will get you flying fast is a whole lot of gold.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Economy, Factions, Making money
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cathray Jun 11th 2008 3:07PM
if u do not get a damn epic flyer u r a damn nooob!
Deacon Jun 11th 2008 3:08PM
So what am I supposed to do? I am currently at 4700g and I was planning on buying my epic flying in the near future.
Do I wait til the price comes down?
Jagoex Jun 11th 2008 3:11PM
No. Buy one now. There is still plenty of time for you to save up more gold before the expansion, and in the meantime, you'll get to enjoy your epic flyer for a good number of months. =)
Ed Jun 11th 2008 3:14PM
I'd buy the mount - the earliest possible time the price could drop would be the release of WotLK, which probably won't be until November at the earliest.
And even then, the price may not drop, depending on what they do with siege weapons / flying mount in Northrend tax.
Calaana Jun 11th 2008 7:39PM
He never said the 5k price would drop, only that if they add another level(375) to it the price would be lower. You'll still be shelling out 5k.
Jant Jun 11th 2008 3:13PM
Epic mounts are so worth it. My main and alt both have one, and when I get around to another 70, it will have one too.
matta Jun 11th 2008 3:18PM
I will NEVER buy an EPIC flyer again for 5k gold.
not worth it to me to spend 5k gold to fly faster, I regret my decision to buy the one I did.
Jim Jun 11th 2008 3:59PM
I am interested to see if anyone else agrees with this. Not flaming your comment, but I love my epic flyers and don't think it's that bad, once you determine to do it. I've bought 2 of my own and one for my friend, and my drood will have one whenever she makes her way up there.
AH Epics are replaced, but 280% is forever.*
*Offer excludes 71-77.
Dan Jun 11th 2008 6:03PM
You're the first person I've ever seen say this. I bought my first one when I was pretty much a noob, and it was a pretty hard grind for me to scrape up that much gold. I never regretted it though. The speed of the mount made farming so much easier that I was back up over 2K in just a matter of days.
And now, I've just gotten an alt up to 70, and the pokey slow regular flying mount is just to annoying for words. I'll be buying another shortly.
Angelus Jun 11th 2008 7:24PM
I had the same experience roughly that Dan said in his reply. Took me forever to gring that first 5k, but it was so worth it. I love flying fast. Makes daily's much more lucritive.
I was back to 2500k in 2 weeks. And I'm a casual player. My second 70 had her epic flyer about 10 days after she made 70. That was pretty cool, and I'll do it again.
uncaringbear Jun 11th 2008 8:06PM
Why the heck would Matta's comment be voted down? He didn't say anything offensive, and he's certainly entitled to his opinion. I swear, sometimes I think this comment system is just bullocks.
As far as epic flying mounts go, they are certainly worth the investment. However, I would really only get one for toons who have gathering professions.
pudds Jun 12th 2008 10:32AM
I agree completely. I have 2 70s, and no intention of buying an epic flyer on either of them, particularly since the vast majority of my time is spent in Azeroth.
If I could use them in Azeroth (even just as a land mount), I'd be tempted, if only to save the bag space, but even then, probably not.
I certainly see the use, and why many would go for it, but to me, the usefulness is outweighed by the astronomical cost. 2000g would be far more appropriate.
Diabla Jun 12th 2008 12:50PM
Was voting this comment down really nessesary? S/He's not being rude to anyone, flaming, or trolling. They stated simply stated they're regret. So what it's not the exact same view of everyone else here and going on about how easy the money was to obtain. No reason at all to do that to them ya'll.
Diabla Jun 12th 2008 12:53PM
wow, bad typos *sigh* sry guys... Remove a 'stated' and make it 'their' not 'they're'
WTB Post Editing
Andy Jun 11th 2008 3:18PM
It's not that hard to get the 5k needed, I have three 70's and all of them have a Epic Flying mount, do the dailies and sell resources on the AH
Procris Jun 11th 2008 3:33PM
I totally agree. When you look at the 5000g price tag, first thing that springs to mind is "damn thats going to take a long time" but in reality what with all the daily quests and regular quests giving a good 7-9g at 70 it doesn't. Not to mention you can easily make 2000g just by levelling to 70. Then add professions into the mix and you can make the gold for it easily. Yeah it takes a bit of effort and some hard work but its well worth it (to me anyway).
When Wotlk is released i hope its lowered and the next level of skill riding if there is one, won't be too high. After all most of us have paid 5000g, the next one shouldn't be as steep.
Ircasha Jun 11th 2008 4:51PM
I have 6 70's with 2 more to hit 70 in the next month or so. That being said, three of them have elite flyers. Until you have one it doesn't seem like such a big deal. Then once you get used to one and have to play a toon still using a normal flyer it feeling like swimming through pond scum . . . in winter . . . with ankle weights.
Dotixi Jun 11th 2008 3:18PM
Epic ground mount cost needs to be dropped way before epic flying mount cost.
bumble Jun 11th 2008 4:20PM
again?
qoa Jun 11th 2008 3:23PM
With the amount of daily quests that one can do now, getting an epic flying mount has kind of become trivial. My gf hit 70, and within 8 days of only doing daily quests, she earned the epic. If anyone remembers the grind before daily quests, they remember a grind not unlike the High Warlord grind.
"Hey xxxx want to run Shadow Lab?"
"Can't I'm trying to get my epic flying mount"
"Hey xxx want to run UBRS?
"Can't I need some more honor before it rolls tomorrow"