Blue Wind Rider

Blue Wind Rider is a ground-and-flying mount of the Horde, added to World of Warcraft in The Burning Crusade expansion (patch 2.0.1). It is a massive wind rider with deep blue plumage and a distinctive orcish saddle: one of the three base color variations sold by wind rider keepers in Horde capitals and classic zones

The mount is purchased directly from vendors for gold: no drops, achievements or quest chains. You only need to be a Horde character, save up 50 gold and fly to the nearest wind rider keeper. Since patch 9.0.1, the mount's required riding skill was lowered to Apprentice Riding, so you can summon it as early as level 10 like a regular ground mount. You will be able to fly on it as soon as you obtain the Expert skill — in Midnight this happens automatically when you reach level 30.

• The classic Horde wind rider look — a powerful blue wyvern is one of the iconic silhouettes of WoW's early expansions. It fits perfectly with the look of orc warriors, shamans and hunters, as well as trolls and tauren
• Available from level 10 as a ground mount — after the Shadowlands changes, the mount works even without flying skills, which makes it a convenient option for alts and newcomers
• Added to your account collection — a learned mount is saved forever and becomes available to all your Horde characters
• A color for collectors — the blue coloring complements the series of base wind riders: Green Wind Rider and Tawny Wind Rider. All three colors count as separate mounts
• A fixed price with no lottery — unlike rare mounts with a tiny drop chance, the Blue Wind Rider is guaranteed to be bought for 50 gold. Reputation with the vendor's faction can lower the price even further

The price drops in proportion to your reputation with the faction the specific vendor belongs to. At Exalted, the discount is 20%, and the mount costs about 40 gold. The most reliable "free" discount is with Thrallmar: this reputation rises almost on its own while completing Hellfire Peninsula quests.

At maximum flight speed (+280% and higher) the mount flies if you have learned Artisan Riding. In the modern game, Artisan is unlocked automatically at level 30 — you do not need to pay separately for training.

The Blue Wind Rider is sold by five vendors in different locations. Choose the nearest one — they all sell the very same mount, but reputation with their factions differs.

Drakma — Orgrimmar

Drakma is a wind rider keeper who stands in the wind rider pen behind the flight trainer in Orgrimmar. This is the most convenient option for most Horde players: you do not need to fly anywhere, Orgrimmar is accessible through portals from any capital.

Bana Wildmane — Hellfire Peninsula

Bana Wildmane is located in Thrallmar on Hellfire Peninsula. This is the classic Horde base in Outland — you get there through the Outland portal from Orgrimmar. If you have completed the Hellfire questline at least once, your reputation with Thrallmar already gives a noticeable discount on the purchase.

Dama Wildmane — Shadowmoon Valley

Dama Wildmane sells wind riders in Shadowmoon Village in the southeast of Shadowmoon Valley. This is also an Outland zone — the easiest way to get there is via a flying mount from Shattrath or through the Shadowmoon Valley flight point.

Tohfo Skyhoof — Borean Tundra

Tohfo Skyhoof stands in the Borean Tundra — at Warsong Hold. Convenient if you are already in Northrend on business. Reputation with the Warsong Offensive gives the same discount as with the other vendors.

Mei Francis — Dalaran

Mei Francis is a neutral dealer of exotic mounts. She stands in northern Dalaran above the Crystalsong, next to other mount dealers. You can buy a wind rider from her without any prior reputation with Horde factions, however the base price is the same — 50 gold, and she has no reputation discounts.

After learning, the item can be deleted — the mount will remain in your collection forever and become available to any Horde character on your account.

If you are collecting the whole series of regular Horde wind riders, add the other two colors to your shopping list. They are sold by the same five vendors and have the same base price:

Continuing the series, the same vendors offer "swift" wind riders with increased speed: Swift Red Wind Rider, Swift Green Wind Rider, Swift Yellow Wind Rider and Swift Purple Wind Rider. They cost more and used to require the "Artisan" skill, but in the modern game they are available on par with the base models. Each coloring counts separately in the collection.