Swift Red Hawkstrider

Swift Red Hawkstrider is an epic ground mount added to World of Warcraft in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion (patch 3.1.2). It is an elegant battle hawkstrider with bright red plumage, characteristic of the blood elves of Silvermoon. The mount is purchased from a vendor at the Argent Tournament grounds in Icecrown for 5 Champion's Seals and 500 gold.

To purchase it, you must be a blood elf or have the Champion of Silvermoon City achievement, which is unlocked through the chain of daily quests at the Argent Tournament. The mount is available only to Horde characters.

• Collection value — one of the eight Horde racial mounts available through the Argent Tournament. Purchasing the Swift Red Hawkstrider on a Horde character automatically unlocks its allied counterpart — the Great Red Elekk — for Alliance characters
• Low cost — only 5 Champion's Seals and 500 gold. It is one of the cheapest tournament mounts, which can be bought literally on the first day after earning the Champion title
• Unique coloring — the rich red color makes this hawkstrider stand out among the standard blood elf racial mounts available from ordinary vendors in Silvermoon
• Available account-wide — once obtained, the mount is unlocked for all Horde characters on your account

The Argent Tournament is located in the northeast of Icecrown in Northrend.

1. Travel to Dalaran (Northrend). The portal to old Dalaran is available through a portal-trainer NPC in your faction's capital or through the portal room
2. In Dalaran, find the flight master and use the flight point to the Argent Tournament Grounds
3. You can also fly there yourself — the grounds are located in the northeastern part of Icecrown

The process of obtaining the mount consists of two stages: earning the Champion of Silvermoon title and purchasing the mount with seals.

Stage 1: Progression at the Argent Tournament

The Argent Tournament is a permanent game area with a system of daily quests and titles. Progression goes through three ranks:

Total duration from the start to the Champion title is at least 9 days of completing daily quests.

1. Arrive at the Argent Tournament and talk to the NPC in the Sunreavers' pavilion (Horde). You will be offered to become an Aspirant
2. Complete three Aspirant daily quests, each of which grants Aspirant's Marks. Over three days you will collect 15 marks
3. Turn in 15 marks and pass the trial — you will earn the Valiant title
4. If your character is a blood elf, you will automatically begin completing quests for Silvermoon. If not — first become a champion of your own race, and then choose the Silvermoon faction
5. Complete four Valiant daily quests for Silvermoon. After 5 days you will collect 25 Marks of Valiance
6. Turn in the marks and win the Valiant's trial — you will earn the Champion of Silvermoon City achievement

Stage 2: Purchasing the Mount

After earning the Champion title, the Champion daily quests will open up for you, each of which rewards Champion's Seals. At the Champion rank you can earn from 6 to 11 seals per day.

1. Complete the Champion daily quests — 5 seals can be collected in a single day
2. Find Trellis Morningsun in the Sunreavers' pavilion at the Argent Tournament (coordinates 76.1, 24.4 in Icecrown)
3. Buy the Swift Red Hawkstrider for 5 Champion's Seals and 500 gold
4. Use the item — the mount will appear in your collection

Daily Seal Income

The number of seals per day depends on your progress at the tournament:

To get the maximum seal income, become a Crusader — this requires the Champion title of all five Horde racial factions and Exalted reputation with each of them.

Seal Sources

• Champion daily quests — the main source, 5–8 seals per day
• Heroic Trial of the Champion — a dungeon at the tournament grounds, the bosses give additional seals
• Crusader quests — unlocked after earning the title, give another 3–5 seals per day

Farming on Alts

Since the hawkstrider only needs 5 seals, farming on alts is impractical — you will earn the required amount in a single day on your main character. Alts make sense if you want to collect all tournament mounts at once.