Zarhym drops hints about Onyxia encounter, mount drop rate
Over here at WoW.com, we're pretty stoked about the new Onyxia fight, which was why, despite the fact that it came in a somewhat trollish thread, I was pretty happy to see Zarhym drop a few hints about the Onyxia encounter and the drop rate of the new 310% speed Brood of Onyxia mount.He reveals that they aren't going back to the 4-instance heroic and normal setup of the Coliseum, instead just having plain old 10 man and 25 man normal modes. In addition, the mount will have an equal chance to drop from both encounters, so you have a chance at it no matter what your preferred raid size.
That said, you probably shouldn't expect to just waltz in and get your whole raid outfitted in matching black drakes. The mount drops one at a time, and the drop rate is pretty low. Think pre-nerf Baron Rivendare's Deathcharger mount low. As Zarhym puts it: "One day I will have it, though as soon as I loot it I'll probably be struck by lightning on a sunny day and attacked by a shark, all while in the presumed comfort of my living quarters."
That said, don't get too put out either way. It sounds like Zarhym hasn't ruled out the possibility of an old-fashioned "hard mode" achievement depending on how you face the fight (I'm fully expecting a "Many Whelps Left Side" style achievement myself), and we already know the new Onyxia is permanent, meaning you'll probably have until next expansion to try to farm your mounts.
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion, News items, Instances, Raiding, Bosses, Mounts, Achievements






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
madcatcf Aug 15th 2009 8:37PM
Okay, the equal drop rate from 10man and 25man is not going to work.
In 10man you have 1/10 chance to get it if it do drop, while in 25man you have 1/25.
People will farm the 10man version to death.
Gemski Aug 13th 2009 9:13PM
As much as I want to whine about reused content, I'm still excited about this encounter. A "free" 310 is interesting even though I have two.
I bet next expansion you'll be able to train 310.
Yeng Aug 14th 2009 1:35AM
The mount sounds like Ashes of A'lar drop rate.
Sev Aug 14th 2009 6:57AM
As some guy said a few days ago...
Facebook that way ------>
Xino Aug 13th 2009 9:13PM
Happy to hear not everyone will have it, but making it a random super rare drop is disappointing.
Jon Do Aug 14th 2009 9:44AM
RNG FTL
Personally I'd rather they not have it at all than have a virtually non-existant drop rate.
seanthehorde Aug 13th 2009 9:15PM
Wow this is really cool. I really hope that this works out well and they do this will all pre-bc instances.
Maybe this will tie in Deathwing/Grim Batol in 3.4 or maybe 3.3 (yes I know this is Icecrown Citadel patch)?
megamogx Aug 14th 2009 12:10AM
They said 3.3 will be last major content patch before they work on the next expansion....
Honestly id like to see the different bosses that were supposed to be added obsidian sanctum zone in areas added rather then have it left undone much like grim batol...
Evaline Aug 13th 2009 9:15PM
I was hoping it would be some kind of guaranteed drop for hardmode maybe. A very low drop chance sucks when 9/24 other people also want it.
Pre-nerf Baron Rivendare's Deathcharger mount was what, something like 1 in 1000? That's worse than Ashes of Alar, and I've only ever seen one of those on my realm.
Craig R Aug 13th 2009 10:36PM
originally 1 in 5000
Lolololololol
Atara Aug 13th 2009 9:16PM
While I appreciate his humor, I'm still worried about the legit questions regarding on if the old lvl 60 raid will still be left in, what it means for quests tied to it, and if this removes t2 from the game.
As excited as I am for the new raid, I worry about the removal of all of the other things...
Gessilea Aug 13th 2009 9:39PM
I believe a blue post confirmed that the 60 encounter was going away and I'm pretty sure that at least some of the quests were removed a while ago (the attunement ones). No reason why her head and the hunter sinew couldn't continue to drop, though I wouldn't be surprised if the latter ends up as a feat of strength and gets removed. I can't imagine many people still do it.
It's sad when stuff gets removed, but that's the nature of changing content I suppose. Personally I think this is a super awesome way to celebrate five years of wow.
Firestride Aug 14th 2009 1:16AM
There's just no reason to remove it. Build her an identical cave in Northrend and leave the 60 raid alone. I figured level 90 was when I was going to be able to take my druid back to all the old raids solo and collect the early tiers of gear, and I was really looking forward to it. Like 3 more years worth of subscription looking forward to it.
Kemikalkadet Aug 14th 2009 7:23AM
The main bit i'm worried about is if they break the Draconic for dummies quest, one of the parts of the sceptre chain. Currently the whole chain is working fine and completable (except "bang a gong!" obviously), it would be a shame to break the best quest chain in the whole of the game just so people can see a level 80 Onyxia.
Ithas Aug 13th 2009 9:22PM
I bet this is Nick Whelan getting back at WoW.com....
Precision Aug 13th 2009 9:23PM
I'd like a "Moar DOTs" achieve!! or a "No Aggro Reset" =P
Mugutu Aug 13th 2009 9:39PM
I hope the MOAR DOTS achievement can only be achieved by not using more than 12 different kinds of DoTs for 10 man, maybe 30 for 25 man. Make it feel like serious old school Onyxia.
Nazgûl Aug 14th 2009 1:08AM
The true achievement is thinking of 30 different kinds of dots.
Let's think about this...
DK's: 2-3 DoTs depending on spec.
Druids: Ferals have 2-3, Balance has 2.
Hunters: 2-3 depending on spec.
Mages: Very brief, but 1 or 2 again depending on spec.
Paladins: Tricky. Seal of Vengeance/Corruption may count, but otherwise not much.
Priests: 2-3 if Shadow.
Rogues: Deadly Poison, plus a bleed or so.
Shaman: Flame Shock, but depends on the Shaman's preference
Warlocks: The big guys, at least 5 for Affliction, 2 or 3 for the others.
Warriors: Rend.
Ok, so let's assume you get one of each class as a DPS role in your raid. Assuming maximum DoT potential (neither of these conditions is likely to be met in your average group), that is 25 DoTs by my count. Even if you set the group up to get the most dots you won't surpass your limit of 30. Because of this, I believe an alternate achievement would be better.
"OK STOP DOTS (10 player): In Onyxia's Lair (10 player), kill Onyxia with a damage over time effect dealing the killing blow."
Tom Aug 14th 2009 3:05PM
Unholy Death Nights have 4 now with the new Unholy Blight.
Priests have four because of Holy Fire.
Presumably everybody could grab themselves a weapon which applied a dot effect.
... Why am I still talking about how to accomplish a made up achievement ^^
ltgalloway Aug 13th 2009 9:28PM
Sounds cool. I wonder if that shouting raid leader will make a follow up recording of him screaming at his fellow raiders. "Even side! Many whelps! Now! Handle it!!!!"