Amber Scorpion

Reins of the Amber Scorpion is an epic ground mount added in patch 5.5.0 of the Mists of Pandaria expansion. Amber scorpions are scorpids that the mantid feed with kypari, triggering a mutation: their carapace fuses with amber, becoming natural armor. The Klaxxi use these massive scorpions as battle mounts, and the amber-hardened carapace provides superb protection on the battlefield.

The mount is purchased from Ambersmith Zikk in Klaxxi'vess, Dread Wastes for 10,000 gold at Exalted reputation level with the Klaxxi faction.

• Guaranteed acquisition — the mount is purchased from a vendor at a fixed price. Once you reach the required reputation and save up the gold, you'll obtain it with no element of randomness.
• Unique model — the Amber Scorpion stands out among other mounts with its distinctive amber glow and massive silhouette. It is one of the few scorpion mounts available in the game.
• Quiet sounds — unlike some mechanical mounts, the Amber Scorpion produces a muted hiss and a soft chitter, without overloading the audio. When using /mountspecial, the scorpion performs a special animation with a quiet sound.
• Available to all characters — once purchased, the mount becomes available on all characters on your account.
• Speed 10/10 — a ground mount whose speed adapts to your riding skill (+60% or +100%).

To purchase the mount you must meet two conditions: reach Exalted reputation level with the Klaxxi faction and have 10,000 gold.

1. Travel to the Dread Wastes on the continent of Pandaria. The zone is accessible from level 25 via the Chromie system (Mists of Pandaria timeline).
2. Begin the introductory quest chain at Lin the Archer on the wall to the northeast of the Terrace of Gurthan. She offers starter tasks that lead you to Klaxxi'vess.
3. Complete the main storyline of the Dread Wastes. As you complete quests, you will awaken the ancient Klaxxi Paragons, who unlock daily quests and special empowerments.
4. Raise your reputation with the Klaxxi faction to Exalted (42,000 points total).
5. Find Ambersmith Zikk in Klaxxi'vess and purchase the Reins of the Amber Scorpion.
6. Use the item from your inventory to permanently add the mount to your collection.

Ambersmith Zikk is the quartermaster of the Klaxxi faction. He is located in the center of the Klaxxi'vess settlement in the Dread Wastes. In addition to the mount, Zikk sells gear, patterns, recipes, and shoulder enchants.

How to get there

1. Use the portal to Pandaria from your faction's capital (Temple of the Jade Serpent for the Alliance, or the Shrine of Two Moons / Seven Stars in the Mogu'shan Palace for the Horde)
2. Fly to the Dread Wastes — the zone is located in the southwestern part of Pandaria
3. Find Klaxxi'vess — a large mantid settlement in the center of the zone
4. Ambersmith Zikk stands in the central part of the camp

To reach Exalted level you need to earn 42,000 reputation points. The main sources are listed below.

Storyline quest chain (one-time bonus)

The main quest chain of the Dread Wastes is the first and largest source of reputation. By completing quests, you awaken the Klaxxi Paragons — ancient mantid sealed in amber. Each awakening comes with a significant reputation bonus. Fully completing the storyline brings you up to roughly Revered level.

Daily quests (main source)

After completing the main quest chain, daily quests open up in several areas of the Dread Wastes. Each day you can earn about 1,000–1,200 reputation points. The quests are given out in Klaxxi'vess and send you to different points in the zone:

• Zan'vess and the Briny Muck
• The Clutches of Shek'zeer
• The Terrace of Gurthan and the Sra'vess

Dread Amber Shards (additional source)

Dread Amber Shards drop from any mobs in the Dread Wastes. They can be turned in to Ambersmith Zikk: every 5 shards grant 250 reputation points. This method has no daily limit — you can farm shards for as long as your patience lasts.

Klaxxi Commendation (accelerator)

Upon reaching Honored level, the Klaxxi Commendation becomes available from Ambersmith Zikk. This item doubles all reputation earned with the Klaxxi on all characters on your account. Purchase it as soon as you reach Honored — it will significantly speed up the journey from Honored to Exalted.

Daily plan

At max level, the mobs in the Dread Wastes pose no threat, and the entire daily cycle takes 15–20 minutes.

1. Pick up all available daily quests in Klaxxi'vess.
2. Complete the quests while collecting Dread Amber Shards from killed mobs.
3. Return to Klaxxi'vess and turn in the shards to Ambersmith Zikk.
4. If you're a little short of Exalted, keep farming shards from mobs — there's no limit on the number of turn-ins.

How long it will take

By completing all available quests daily and turning in shards, the path from Neutral to Exalted takes about 2–3 weeks. Using the Klaxxi Commendation at the Honored stage cuts the remaining path in half.

Reputation boosters

• Darkmoon Faire — ride the carousel to gain the "WHEE!" buff (+10% reputation for 60 minutes). Complete daily quests while under the effect of this buff
• World Quest Bonus Event — grants an additional bonus to reputation earned during the event period
• Banner of Cooperation — a guild item that grants +10% reputation
• Human (race) — the racial ability "Diplomacy" increases reputation earned by 10%