Argent Hippogryph cost lowered
by Mike Schramm 
May 15th 2009 at 4:00PM
It's been rumored already, but now we've got Blizzard confirmation: the cost of the Argent Hippogryph (obtained as a final reward from the Argent Tournament) will be lowered in "the next minor patch" to 150 Champion's Seals. We don't know exactly when ("next minor patch" could be 3.1.2, or possibly a quick hotfix before then), but Blizzard is for sure lowering the price.
And to make it even more confusing, they're already telling us ahead of time that it might be bugged: the display may not get updated right away, which would mean that ingame, it'll still say that the bird sells for 250 seals, when it really only sells for 150. Don't ask us how, if they know the issue is coming, they can't fix it when they change things, but who knows how Blizzard's code works anymore? At any rate, if you're planning on buying the 'gryph and want to save some seals, hold off on buying for now.
And to make it even more confusing, they're already telling us ahead of time that it might be bugged: the display may not get updated right away, which would mean that ingame, it'll still say that the bird sells for 250 seals, when it really only sells for 150. Don't ask us how, if they know the issue is coming, they can't fix it when they change things, but who knows how Blizzard's code works anymore? At any rate, if you're planning on buying the 'gryph and want to save some seals, hold off on buying for now.
Filed under: Patches, Items, Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Making money, Mounts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Karilyn May 15th 2009 4:03PM
Awesome, this was one of the things I was looking forward to most buying in the Argent Tournament.
Lethe May 15th 2009 4:06PM
Most likely this works the way some of the recent ability hotfixes have, which is to say that changing the cost is something that can be hotfixed in. Changing the displayed price on the vendor, much like ability tooltips, may be something that requires an actual patch to effect. Thus they may know the "bug" will happen and can warn players.
brittwilson May 15th 2009 6:18PM
Yes, this is how hotfixes work, and it boggles my mind people still don't understand this after all these years.
A hotfix changes things on the SERVER SIDE, as in, the price of the mount. You buy it, it checks how much it is on the SERVER, and then either says yes or no to your computer, the CLIENT SIDE. But since the change is only on the server side, you dont see any difference in the price on your screen, only a difference in the amount deducted.
All patches are CLIENT SIDE updates, to bring what we see on the screen in line with what the SERVER SIDE is set to.
GrayElf May 17th 2009 4:45AM
Yep, absolutely mind-boggling.
Someone who apparently knows the difference between server-side hotfixes, and client (and probably server as well) patches...fails to notice that this change is coming in the "next minor patch". Let's try that again...the next minor PATCH.
See how simple that is? Read first, before engaging critic mode. The queries/complaints/confusion over an anticipated bug (be it display only) not being fixed is perfectly valid, and your objection is invalid.
VSUReaper May 15th 2009 4:07PM
Not complaining, but I wonder why?
I know when it first came out, I decided the first 2 things I was going to buy was the gryph and the white UC horse, but was dismayed to find out how much they cost and how long I would have to wait (while others are off getting their pets and such)
Anyways, cant wait!!!
Eversor May 15th 2009 4:28PM
They said that they lowered the cost because they are intending to put in some new items later, but they still wanted the hippogryph to look appealing. Basically, this change allows you to get it 20 days faster than before. It is a very good change, in my opinion, because it still requires 38 days of grinding the dailies.
Gerik May 15th 2009 4:12PM
It's nice that they're lowering the price. Its price wasn't balanced against everything else for sale. I'll probably buy it the day it's patched.
Wryxian mentioned that they'll be adding additional rewards to the tournament. I wonder if that means they'll be adding more mounts, more expensive mounts.
rich May 15th 2009 4:16PM
What the post dosn't say and the thing I am most excited about is this...
"In order to better balance the cost of new rewards that we would like to add to the Argent Tournament..."
I can't wait to see what they are going to add, needless to say I will be hanging on to my seals
Condor May 15th 2009 4:46PM
"lowering the cost" -- great! I can't wait to spend mine!
"new rewards" -- dammit! Stockpiling seals resumes... probably until 3.2, let's hope it's worth it.
Bitterballen May 15th 2009 4:15PM
Wonder when we're allowed to ride a bat or dragonhawks..
Mizzle May 15th 2009 4:18PM
The reward for collecting 100 mounts is the Dragonhawk: red for horde and blue for alliance.
Mountain o Mounts is the Achievement
http://www.wowhead.com/?achievement=2536
Pyornthe May 15th 2009 4:18PM
Get100 mounts and you can ride a dragonhawk all you want.
Reikkoil May 15th 2009 4:15PM
"At any rate, if you're planning on buying the 'gryph and want to save some seals, hold off on buying for now."
No one could possibly have accumulated 250 seals already anyways.
keith May 15th 2009 5:49PM
It's possible the 250 mark will be achievable before it gets patched, I guess. Like Mike said, it depends on when that "minor patch" is.
epsilon343 May 15th 2009 4:14PM
Makes sense. It's nearly 2 months of collecting seals assuming you do the dailies every day and completely. I wanted to get some of the other pets and mounts but with such a high cost it was going to be a while before I would have the spare seals.
Oppel May 15th 2009 4:19PM
Good to hear I almost have enough for the new price. Are the new recolored rep mounts going to 100 seals and the originals going to 5 seals and 500g?
ToyChristopher May 15th 2009 4:19PM
It's so pretty. I am sad that I can't get it yet and I hate jousting so I only get 3 tokens a day. One day I will have it though... one day...
Pyornthe May 15th 2009 4:19PM
But will it have a walking animation? :(
*looks dejectedly at broken Cenarion hippogyph*
Deaddoon May 18th 2009 8:41AM
No it will never have a walking animation, they have stated this many times.
Delvin May 16th 2009 1:14AM
Ni kidding. I don't want one because of that. Fly down to grab herbs and the damn thing won't land.