Breakfast Topic: What it's like to have a Spectral Tiger
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 10th 2009 at 8:00AM
Cogfizzle of the aptly named Ace of Spades over on the forums recently came across a Spectral Tiger in the TCG, and has an interesting post up about how people are reacting to his new mount. Most of the people who say something to him simply want to know where to get it (which means to us that more people need to read WoW Insider), but there's also an undercurrent of hostility -- some people think that as a TCG item, the Spectral Tiger mount isn't a "real" achievement in the game, compared to, say, a Netherwing mount or a Zul'Aman bear. True, you can (legally) buy the special loot cards from eBay (or win them from WoW Insider, hint hint stay tuned), when you can't buy those other mounts. But Cogfizzle, we presume from what he says, got his the old fashioned way -- by buying and playing the WoW TCG. Can you blame him for that? I'm of the second group he describes -- when I see a rocket mount or a Spectral Tiger ride by, I just give whoever's riding it a nod and go on my way. But are these mounts less impressive because they can be bought, even if they were gained the "right" way? Or are you not "impressed" with rare or tough-to-get rep mounts in general? Ezra Chatterton famously came to us with the news that he was the first with the Pheonix mount, for fear that players in game might give him grief for having it.
It's an interesting thought, and of course social quirks like this are why we play this game in the first place. Of course none of you would ever harass anyone in the game (right?) but how do you feel when you see someone ride by on a Spectral Tiger?
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Strahl Apr 10th 2009 8:09AM
Whenever I see one ride by I think to myself that it was pretty lucky they found one. I generally give them the benefit of the doubt that they aquired it through buying TCG cards, but then that thought is quickly overridden by how ugly I think the mount is. If it were ethereal through and through it would be hawt, but because of the overlap of the limbs and tail at the joints causing those locations to be slightly different colors make me think about how poorly it was constructed from a design perspective. Cudos to those that have them though!
Ferarro Apr 10th 2009 8:46AM
The mounts are only as impressive as the knowledge of the person looking at it. If someone who's never played the game before looks at a Time-Lost Proto Drake and a sees a Twilight Drake next to it, they'll probably feel the Proto-Drake is more impressive - even though the more experienced players know full well that particular Proto-Drake is based on ridiculous luck and the Twilight Drake is much more of an accomplishment game-wise.
In the end, the mounts you accrue are for yourself and for yourself only. Who cares if someone hates you or resents you for your luck, raiding skill, RNG dice, or eBay finesse. Just keep ridin' and lookin' sexy. =)
Quickshiv Apr 10th 2009 9:44AM
Isn't this entire article redundant? If you own a spectral tiger you bought it end of story. You either bought one card for a guaranteed tiger or 100s until you got it. Either way you payed for the mount. The only thing you have accomplished is spending money. Granted in the latter method you can now also play a card game with the left over cards.
Just to make it clear I don't have any problem with anyone buying anything in this game. If you have the cash you can do with it what you want. I would buy "The Flag of Ownership" in a heart beat if I could justify the cost.
Grinn Apr 10th 2009 11:43AM
I invariably assume they bought theirs off of ebay. Am I a jerk?
Cor Apr 10th 2009 2:22PM
Honestly my first thought when I see a ST is that the rider spent $800-1000 on ebay for it and may want to reconsider their financial priorities, but in the end it's their money.
I don't see it as an accomplishment at all. No skill or effort is required to plunk down a credit card on ebay or get lucky with a pack of cards.
But I also don't resent or thing less of them in any way. They enjoy the game one way, I enjoy it another.
I had a GF that was all about the rare pets and mounts and has been known to hang out in IF just showing them off. I'm an achiver so usually when I get a new thing, I mark it off my virtual goals list and move on to the next challange. Don't get me wrong I display my "of the Nightfall" title and ride my 310 mount, but these are mainly done because the title shows what my guild can do and the mount moves faster.
As long as someone isn't a jerk about it I don't fault anyone for what ever good fortune they have.
Seedcake Apr 10th 2009 3:03PM
Wow, I thought I was the only one who doesn't really like the looks of this mount. I guess the transparent thing really wows some people, but to me, it's just...meh. Can't really dredge up any envy when I see one of these run by.
Now, the Swift Zulian Tiger...THAT'S the real beauty. :) I'll envy anyone sitting on one of those 'til the day I get my own. And I swear I. Am. Going. To. Get. My. Own. so help me god.
Fornozo Apr 10th 2009 8:14AM
I usually give them a whisper saying "Nice mount =D" And they usually reply with "Thanks =D" and that's it.
Unfortunatly my server is one of the lowest populated in the EU(Haomarush) so I've only sen one guy with this mount so far :P
Must say tho if I could get either one of these mounts for free I'll be all over the place.
Scilk Apr 10th 2009 9:25AM
Same, I normally just say "nice kitty" and ride on.
In the case of someone having the turtle I get out Speedy and tell him that one day he'll grow up to be that big if he eats all his cabbage like a good little turtle =)
But I rarely see them as they are pretty damn rare, but I often don't mind others having them. The games there to be enjoyed, and as long as you don't sit on a quest giver with a mammoth then I have no hard feelings towards anyone riding what they want to ride.
Julie Apr 10th 2009 8:14AM
I think the mount is cool :) Not going to hold it against anyone for having it.
As for those who do... maybe they are just a bit envious? =)
VSUReaper Apr 10th 2009 1:51PM
When I see a tiger, I kinda think to myself "wow.... must be nice to have all the money to spend, or else they got incredibly lucky!" and then I go on my way.
As for the people like Ezra who was worried people would lash out, yes they do, and it blows goats. I was one of the first people on my server to get the Hodir mammoth and the black war mammoth and for about a week, I couldnt ride the damn mounts b/c everyone would give me shit about it or bug me on how to get it. It got to the point that I refused to use in a city.
I'm of the personal opinion that if you see something cool, look at the tooltip for a name, and then go google it. If you cant figure out its name, then go ask the person about it, but dont be surprised if you get a curt response or no response at all.
jcyr Apr 10th 2009 8:14AM
I still love the tiger. It is a great looking mount.
@Usdom most people have NOT purchased gold just to get an epic mount. Making gold in wow is so incredibly easy there is no need. I have 50+ mounts and have never purchased gold or a card.
Talmar Apr 10th 2009 8:19AM
Ouch Usdom
Dude...it's a mount in a video game. Why so harsh?
Not everybody who plays this game are kids, rich or not, with money or not. Some of us work many hours a week (50+) and pay all their bills on time and may save up, on a monthly basis, say $100 or so a month for "toys", be it a Wii game, blueray movies or even a cool mount in a video game.
Personally, I don't care how they got it. I'll whisper "cool mount" and be on my way.
The only cool mount I really have is the BlizzCon bear. So far, of all the mounts I've seen in the game. The coolest one in my opinion is the green drake from the oracles egg.
Turlagh Apr 10th 2009 1:21PM
I agree. The green ProtoDrake from the Oracle's egg is the only flying mount that I am coveting at the moment. But I would take the Time Lost if I could find it:)
Siorra Apr 10th 2009 8:20AM
Having fancy mounts does sometimes give you seemingly unwanted attention. I used to always idle in the same spot in Shattrath outside the Scryer bank and no one would even take notice to me. As soon as I got Ashes, I'm not allowed to hang there as it's classed as 'showing off'. And the amount of times you get whispered asking where you got it? I'm somewhat glad i can't ride it around Dalaran! :D
Fyve & Boomstick Apr 10th 2009 11:10AM
slighty related but I've had to stop riding my Horsemans Mount, or the Swift Zhevra in AV. Nothing says "dont just ride by, Attack me!" like those suckers. I'd imagine the spectral tiger or an alli on a brewfest kodo gets the same treatment.
Worse than having a skull over your head :-)
Zaniac Apr 11th 2009 3:29AM
»I've had to stop riding my Horsemans Mount, or the Swift Zhevra in AV. Nothing says "dont just ride by, Attack me!" like those suckers. I'd imagine the spectral tiger or an alli on a brewfest kodo gets the same treatment.«
Exactly.
Which works wonders for me in Arathi Basin.
I ride by on my Spectral Tiger, and practically everyone guarding the flag aggros me, while the rest of my team caps the flag without opposition ^^.
Prometheus Apr 10th 2009 8:22AM
Why so bitter?
Zarfay Apr 10th 2009 8:23AM
The other day I saw someone with the phoenix mount, needless to say I was jealous!
Also when will wowinsider start doing competitions for people outside the u.s? :(
Hoggersbud Apr 10th 2009 12:59PM
Outside the US? Probably never, too many legal issues to worry about.
Kyp Apr 10th 2009 8:24AM
I usually think to myself, "ooo pretty kitty!"