Friday, April 11, 2008

It's Time for a Warlock Flying Mount

Original image taken from an ad for "Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire" for the Nintendo Wii.


When I first decided to roll a Warlock more than two years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I had no clue that we would become the most hated (read: best) class in PvP, generally dominate range DPS in PvE, and, perhaps best of all, received ridiculously awesome land mounts for very little cost at all, and with no training required!

I first laid eyes on our wonderfully-free Dreadsteed while being proudly displayed by it's rider in the Undercity, and gasped IRL when he told me that it was "free." The idea of a summon-able mount transcended everything I knew about the game at that time (but hey, I was stacking intellect back then, so wth did I know?), but I quickly learned that they were a staple of the Warlock class, and even help to define it.

So, where are our fiery summon-able flying mounts, then?

I was surprised and disappointed when The Burning Crusade turned up nothing for us (that makes sense on so many levels, doesn't it?). But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if summonable flying mounts were in our future, they wouldn't be at level 70.

Here's why:

Giving Warlocks a summon-able flying mount at level 70 would mean that we would receive "free" mounts in back-to-back brackets. And considering the cost of obtaining the training for a flying mount, I don't think that Blizzard could justify the inevitable fallout that would occur. I mean, we get enough heat as it is already.

That being said, I believe there is a good chance that we may be seeing summonable flying mounts soon, and even in the next leveling bracket to be introduced in the Wrath of the Lich King. By that time, most players will already have experienced the trials of obtaining the upper ranks of Riding Skill, and with everyone on an even level, they will be much less likely to perceive a new Warlock mount as a freebie of sorts, and therefore, an unfair advantage.

Another reason I believe a summon-able flying mount is not too far off is that we didn't see a new summon in our current bracket. That is the first time that has happened in WoW's history, and I can't see Blizzard doing that to the class two brackets in a row. So, we are due for something good for sure.

And lets not forget the theory that Warlocks will be receiving a summonable mount every 20 levels. I'm all for that one!

But even with all of the signs that point to a new mount very soon, I personally don't see why Blizzard couldn't have just added a Riding Skill requirement to a potential Warlock flying mount at level 70. I know the social outpouring of hate would have been overwhelming and all, but it really would not have been a big deal.

And considering all of the nerfs we have taken since the expansion's release, I think we already deserve it. ;)

Anyway, here's to our new mount - as unpredictable it's appearance may be.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't see warlocks getting another mount to summon. The developers overextended themselves with them once and won't make that mistake again.

Jagoex said...

I don't see how the Warlock developers "overextended" themselves. Care to elaborate?

Anonymous said...

i personally was shocked when i hit level 40 and didn't have to pay for my mount. wootzorgs!

i would like to point out that "free" comes with a hefty questing price at level 60 so i could see them introducing a "free" mount with a huge quest line attached to it which would be fine by me as long as it looks awesome.

and jag, your right our flaming horse is still one of the best looking mounts in the game.

Anonymous said...

I don't know where you get the idea that the dreadsteed is free. Not even close. My dreadsteed cost more than it would have cost me to buy my racial epic mount and riding training, not to mention the long hours of grinding and instancing to even get close to earning my "free" dreadsteed that I paid over 800g for.

Anonymous said...

I say we should get a flight form like druids! Dreadbat, anyone?

Anonymous said...

I agree with you. Although Warlocks are hated by many other classes in the game (which I don't fully understand because anyone can roll one, lol)) although our mounts are "free" we still have to spend hundreds of gold gathering the mat's to run the instances to eventually receive the ability to summon our 60 mount. I do think that the Warlocks should receive some type of summonable flying class mount (most likely at the end of a very long, arduous quest line). Druids receive a flight form at 68...for 12g...why not give the 'locks something special?