Ban-lu, Grandmaster's Companion

Ban-lu, Grandmaster's Companion is an epic flying mount added in Patch 7.2 of the Legion expansion. It is the Monk class mount — a white tiger, a child of Xuen, the White Tiger. Ban-Lu has faithfully served every Grandmaster of the monastery for many years, and now it is your turn to earn his trust.

Ban-Lu's standout feature is that he talks to his rider. He is the only mount in the game that holds a conversation with your character. While riding, Ban-Lu shares his wisdom, comments on swimming, greets you when summoned, and says goodbye when dismissed.

• A unique talking mount — the only mount in the game that holds a conversation with you. Ban-Lu comments on what is happening, gives advice, and creates the feeling of a true companion
• Class exclusivity — the mount is available only to Monks, which makes it a rare sight for other classes
• Ground and flying — it works both on the ground and in the air
• Guaranteed reward — no random drop. You complete the quest chain and get the mount for certain
• Account-wide — once obtained, the mount becomes available to all of your Monk characters
• Lore and style — the white tiger fits perfectly into the theme of the Monk class and Pandaria

To start the quest chain you must meet the following conditions:

• A Monk class character at level 45 or higher
• Riding skill: Apprentice
• A completed Monk class hall campaign (the Order of the Broken Temple quest chain)
• The Breaching the Tomb achievement

Ban-Lu is the reward for a chain of 10 quests that begins on the Broken Shore and takes you through Pandaria. The chain requires no raids, dungeons, or group — everything can be done solo.

1. Complete the Monk class hall campaign and the "Breaching the Tomb" achievement
2. Pick up the starting quest "Master Who?" from Yiska on the Broken Shore
3. Complete all 10 quests in the chain
4. Defeat Ban-Lu in the final trial
5. Claim the mount

Quest 1: Master Who?

Quest giver: Yiska on the Broken Shore.

Pick up the quest and use Zen Pilgrimage to teleport to the Temple of Five Dawns. Find Master Bu in Morning Breeze Village — go across the western bridge of the main building. To reach the upper level, use the Transcendence Mandala on the western side of the artifact forge hall (a square wooden platform lit from above).

Quest 2: The Tale of Ban-Lu

Speak with Master Bu and listen to his story about Ban-Lu. The quest completes automatically after you watch it.

Quest 3: Return to the Broken Peak

Master Bu asks you to head to the Peak of Serenity in Kun-Lai Summit. From the Temple of Five Dawns, find the portal to the Peak of Serenity by the fountain. Speak with Master Bu once you arrive.

Quest 4: The Trail of Ban-Lu

Head to Kun-Lai Summit and begin the search for Ban-Lu. Follow the quest markers — you will visit several iconic locations of Pandaria.

Quest 5: Smelly's Luckydo

Help the grummles find their lucky trinkets. Grummles are the small traders of Kun-Lai Summit, with whom Monks have long maintained friendly ties. This quest tests your honor.

Quest 6: The Shadow of Ban-Lu

Head to the Shado-Pan Monastery and clear it of the remnants of the sha. This quest tests your duty to the Shado-Pan.

Quest 7: Clean-up on Aisle Sha

Keep clearing the monastery of the sha. Destroy all of the marked enemies inside the monastery.

Quest 8: The River to Ban-Lu

Travel to Waterspeaker Ryuli at Inkgill Mere. This quest tests your faith through communion with the jinyu.

Quest 9: Lilies for Ryuli

Gather lilies near the Temple of the White Tiger for Waterspeaker Ryuli. After collecting them, return to him to complete the quest.

Quest 10: The Trial of Ban-Lu

Quest giver: Waterspeaker Ryuli

The final quest of the chain — find Ban-Lu at the foot of the waterfall and defeat him in combat.

The final trial is a solo fight with Ban-Lu that takes place on the water in the Jade Forest (Circle of Scale, Lake Kittitata).

Fight mechanics

• Water Walking — for the duration of the fight you gain the ability to walk on water. Don't worry, you cannot drown
• Piercing Cry — Ban-Lu uses this ability, which you must interrupt.
• Jade Spheres — jade spheres appear during the fight that you need to avoid.
• Leaps — Ban-Lu actively leaps around the arena, so stay mobile and use gap-closer abilities

Tips for the fight

• Interrupt every "Piercing Cry" — that is your priority
• Dodge the jade spheres, don't stand still
• The fight is not difficult at level 80, but you still need to handle the mechanics
• Other players cannot help you in this trial — it is a personal challenge
• If you die, simply come back and try again

After the victory

After defeating Ban-Lu, use Zen Pilgrimage to return to the Temple of Five Dawns. Go down the steps to the north, then head northwest across the wooden bridge. Speak with Ban-Lu to complete the quest and receive the mount.