World of Warcraft recently announced that the Skyriding system in the War Within beta will now be unlocked at level 10—the same level at which characters gain access to normal mounts. This change, set to take effect with The War Within expansion, could render traditional ground mounts almost obsolete.
Skyriding, the new term for the Dragonriding system being transformed into an evergreen feature, was initially set to unlock at level 15. The system allows nearly every flying mount in the game to utilize the Skyriding mechanics.
In a recent update, World of Warcraft has further refined the Skyriding system. According to WoW content creator MrGM, the latest build of The War Within beta now grants players access to Skyriding at level 10, coinciding with the level at which ground mounts become available. This early access raises questions about the continued relevance of the slower ground mounts.
When flying mounts were first introduced in The Burning Crusade, they required a significant amount of gold, making them a prestigious achievement. Subsequent expansions required players to complete the challenging Pathfinder achievement to unlock flying in new zones. These requirements were gradually reduced, making flying mounts easier to obtain and diminishing the importance of ground mounts. Dragonflight's Dragonriding system further marginalized ground-only mounts, and The War Within may deliver the final blow.
There are a few potential ways World of Warcraft could preserve the value of ground mounts. One option is to grant every mount the ability to fly, similar to what Final Fantasy 14 did during its Shadowbringers expansion. Alternatively, Blizzard could introduce unique traversal abilities for ground mounts, as seen in Guild Wars 2. Data miners have found hints suggesting that dynamic ground mounts might be in development, indicating Blizzard could already be exploring such solutions.
The changes to Skyriding in World of Warcraft are significant. Building on the success of Dragonflight's Dragonriding, players are excited to unlock this enhanced system early in their leveling journey. Notably, nearly all flying mounts, except the Otherworldly Ottuk Carrier, are Skyriding-enabled. Provided Blizzard addresses the ground mount dilemma, the Skyriding system could become a perfect addition to the game.