Shadowhide Pearltusk

Shadowhide Pearltusk is a massive ground elekk mount with a dark hide and snow-white pearly tusks, added in the Warlords of Draenor expansion alongside the garrison invasion system (patch 6.0.2). It is one of four "invasion" mounts that drop from reward bags for successfully defending your garrison against attacks by the factions of Draenor.

In 2026, at level 80 (The War Within, patch 11.1), Draenor content is cleared solo with no effort: invasions last just a few minutes, and the elekk remains one of the most stylish models among the older mounts, with a strutting animation and a unique color scheme. The main challenge is the drop chance of roughly 1–2% from the weekly bag, so this guide focuses on how to trigger invasions as often as possible and earn a Gold or Platinum rating.

• Rare and recognizable model. Elekks are generally rare in the game, and the dark "pearly" coloring stands out even among other draenei mounts.
• Counts toward collection thresholds. It counts toward the "Stormrider", "In the Service of the Horde/Alliance" achievements and unlocks access to collection-reward mounts.
• Tied to the "Defender of Draenor" achievement. Successful garrison defenses also award this achievement and the "Defender of Draenor" title.
• Requires no gold, PvP or raids. Only the invasion mechanic in your own garrison — entirely solo content.
• A free source of Apexis Crystals and garrison resources. Even without the mount you receive 50 units of each resource per bag — useful for other collection goals.

To reach Draenor at level 80, use the Chromie Time chamber in Stormwind or Orgrimmar: pick the "Warlords of Draenor" timeline and complete the introductory chain up to obtaining your own garrison plot. Then upgrade the Town Hall to level 3 — this is a mandatory condition for the invasion mechanic to appear.

Step 1. Take your garrison to level 3

The invasion mechanic only opens after upgrading your garrison's Town Hall to level 3. To do this you need to reach level 40 and earn 5,000 garrison resources and 1,000 gold. At level 80 this is done within a couple of hours of solo story.

Step 2. Charge the invasion counter

An invasion is triggered by a hidden "mobs killed" counter for one of the factions of Draenor: the Iron Horde, the Shadow Council, the Shadowmoon Clan, ogres, botani or gorocs. The more creatures of the chosen faction you kill, the sooner an invasion appears. The most convenient way is to buy Scouting Reports from Sergeant Grimjaw (Horde) or Sergeant Crowler (Alliance) for garrison resources. "Scouting Report: The Pit" is recommended — a short dungeon with dense mob spawns.

Step 3. Accept the invasion

When an invasion is ready, a scout NPC with a quest appears next to your Mission Table. Accept the quest and move into the invasion phase. You will have a strictly limited time (usually 20–30 minutes, depending on the faction) to defend your garrison.

Step 4. Rack up a Gold or Platinum rating

Points are awarded for each invader killed, as well as for completing key events. Rating thresholds:

• Bronze — from 300 points,
• Silver — from 600 points,
• Gold — from 1,000 points,
• Platinum — from 1,300 points.

For a chance at the mount you need at least Gold, and Platinum grants an additional chest with another shot at a drop. At level 80, racking up 1,300 points and earning Platinum is easy: mobs go down in a couple of hits, and you have time to reach every wave.

Step 5. Finish off the boss

Every invasion is capped by an elite faction boss. Killing it is mandatory — it grants a large point boost and a separate chance at a mount drop on top of the weekly bag.

Step 6. Open the bag and check the loot

After a successful defense you receive the Invader's Forgotten Treasure in your inventory. Inside there are always 50 Apexis Crystals and 50 garrison resources, plus a chance to get one of four mounts, including our elekk. If the mount isn't there — wait for the next week and repeat.

• Farm invasions on multiple characters. The weekly bag is bound to the character, not the account, so 5–10 level 80 alts with an upgraded garrison can give 5–10 chances per week instead of one.
• Keep a stock of scouting reports. Buy 5–10 scouting reports of different factions at once so you can switch between them: if one faction's counter has "cooled down", quickly trigger an invasion from another.
• Aim for Platinum. Platinum unlocks an additional Invader's Forgotten Treasure with another chance at a mount. At level 80 this nearly doubles your chance for free.
• Don't forget the bosses. They have a separate chance at a mount drop on top of the bag — always finish the boss off personally, don't skip the loot.
• Use the Garrison Hearthstone. Instant return to your garrison is handy when an invasion starts while you're doing side tasks on Draenor.
• Check the reset calendar. The weekly reset in all regions happens on Wednesday (EU) or Tuesday (US). Right after the reset, all your alts get a shot at the bag again.
• Combine it with farming Apexis Crystals. Each bag is 50 crystals, which makes the process worthwhile even in unlucky weeks without the mount.