For many longtime World of Warcraft players, it has been an exciting week as the Dragonflight expansion has finally launched. While on fo the biggest features in the World of Warcraft: Dragonflight expansion is the Dracthyr hero class, the content also adds in a number of brand-new features including a new zone called the Dragon Isles, a level cap that has risen to 70, a user interface revamp, as well as 8 new dungeons to explore.
However, most players would likely agree that the most exciting addition to the long-running World of Warcraft is the inclusion of dragon riding. As expected, players can now obtain different types of dragons to move around the map. The system includes the ability to raise and customize dragons as well as use them through a momentum-based flight system along with different aerial skills to show off.
Thankfully, acquiring the ability to ride dragons in World of Warcraft likely won't be too taxing for players. Here's how to quickly unlock the dragon riding ability as well as everything else players need to know.
How to Unlock Dragonriding
Unlike past expansions, Blizzard isn't holding the new content back for players. Unlocking the Dragonriding skill can be done pretty early on into the Dragonflight expansion, as players tackle some of the introductory quests in the first Dragon Isles zone called The Waking Shores.
Inside of the first 30 minutes, players will meet Alexstrasza at a place called the Ruby Lifeshrine which gives them the quest called Dragonriding. As expected, the next task will be to meet with Lord Andestrasz who will give players their first Dragon mount and additional flight training quests in order to get used to the way the handling and momentum systems work.
How to Fly and Ride with Others
Players will likely discover that dragonriding works a bit differently to riding on more traditional mounts. Two skills are available immediately including Skyward Ascent which lifts the player off of the ground and Surge Forward which is a burst of forward speed. Vigor is needed to keep airborne and is regenerated when on the ground or when flying at high speeds. Gaining high will drain Vigor, so players will likely want to fly at a slightly downward angle to gain speed and regain Vigor. Overtime, players will unlock additional Dragonriding abilties which should help make flying much easier.
Players can even fly with friends as passengers. Speak to Lithragosa in Valdrakken and select the Enable Passengers option to ride with others. Using the Ride Along feature in World of Warcraft turns the friendly player into a whelpling and travel with their friend.
How to Acquire New Dragons
As expected, Dragonflight has a few different dragons that players can obtain. This includes:
- Highland Drake
- Windborne Velocidrake
- Renewed Proto-Drake
- Cliffside Wylderdrake
While four mounts may not seem like a lot when compared to the other rides available in World of Warcraft currently, players do have the option to customize each one to add their own style and personalization by visiting a Rostrum of Transformation. These can be found in four specific locations in the Waking Shores, Ohn'ahran Plains, Azure Span, and Thaldraszus. Interacting with them opens a new menu where the player can customize a host of options like the skin color, horns, patterns, armor color, and tons more. New customization options can be obtained from completing a variety of activities like dungeon drops, killing rare enemies, purchased at shops, and even through some crafting professions.
World of Warcraft Dragonflight is available now for PC.