Swift Yellow Wind Rider

Swift Yellow Wind Rider is an epic Horde flying mount from the swift wind rider line of the tauren riding family. The mount has been in the game since The Burning Crusade (patch 2.0.1) and remains one of the most accessible "epics" for any Horde player: no quests, reputations or rare drops — just 100 gold, the right NPC and a right-click.

The model is a large armored wind rider with a bright yellow-ochre coat and golden armor plates. It is one of four "swift" colors (yellow, red, green, purple), which differ from the basic wind riders not only in coloring but also in increased speed — full epic flight instead of slow flight.

• A quick addition to your Horde collection — the wind rider is added to the account collection right after your first purchase and immediately becomes available to all Horde characters regardless of class and race
• Epic flight speed — the mount grants a +150%, +280% or +310% bonus to flight speed depending on your riding skill. At top speed it is in no way inferior to expensive raid mounts
• Progress toward meta-achievements — every additional wind rider in your collection brings you closer to the rewards for 400, 500 and 600 mounts
• Low entry threshold — after the riding system changes in patch 9.0.1, the mount can be purchased from level 10. Previously Expert Riding was required, now basic Apprentice Riding is enough
• Matches pet sets — the companions Wind Rider Cub and Crag Coyote visually suit the mount, so it makes an excellent thematic pairing for a collector

In the current patch Blizzard simplified the riding system: Apprentice Riding is granted automatically at level 10, Expert Riding at 30, Master Riding at 40. You no longer have to pay for training.

The Swift Yellow Wind Rider is sold by five NPCs in different world locations. All of them are wind rider tamers, and the base price is the same for everyone — 100 gold. A reputation discount applies only at Mah'kee in Dalaran above the Broken Isles.

Drakma — Orgrimmar

The most convenient option for any Horde player. Drakma stands in the wind rider pens in the Skyway of Orgrimmar, right behind the riding trainer. The easiest way to reach her is through the portal to the capital and the lift up to the flight trainers.

Drakma sells the full range of regular and swift wind riders — if you are closing out the collection all at once, it makes sense to buy all the needed colors from her right away.

Tohfo Skygleam — Borean Tundra, Northrend

A tauren wind rider tamer in Warsong Hold. She stands on the upper platform of the hold, on the opposite side from the lift, next to the flight master Sabamba Windtotem. Useful if you are farming loot in Northrend and don't want to return to Orgrimmar.

Mah'kee — Dalaran above the Broken Isles

A neutral exotic mount vendor. She stands by the pet shop in the Legion-era Dalaran (specifically the one floating above the Broken Isles, not above Northrend). She is affected by the discount from reputation with the Kirin Tor, but even at Honored the difference is only a few gold.

Baha'Mu — Hellfire Peninsula, Outland

A tauren tamer in Thrallmar — the first wind rider vendor a fresh Horde player sees right after stepping out of the Dark Portal. A good option if you are leveling through The Burning Crusade content or have dropped into Outland for transmog.

Dama Wildmane — Shadowmoon Valley, Outland

Another tauren wind rider tamer, this time in the Shadowmoon Village settlement in the south of Shadowmoon Valley. Useful if you are already in the southern part of Outland and don't want to fly to Thrallmar.

1. Open the portal room in Orgrimmar or use a Hearthstone set to the capital to instantly reach the city center
2. Find the nearest lift and ride up to the Skyway — the upper platform with flight trainers and wind rider pens
3. Walk past the riding trainer into the animal pens. Drakma stands right among the wind riders
4. Right-click the NPC to open the trade dialog
5. Buy the Swift Yellow Wind Rider for 100 gold — the item will appear in your bag
6. Right-click the item — the mount is permanently added to your account collection
7. Open the mount collection with the C key and the "Mounts" tab, find the wind rider and summon it — if you already have a flying skill

The whole procedure from logging in to summoning the mount takes 2-3 minutes if you are already in Orgrimmar. The only real requirement is to save up 100 gold on a Horde character.

On a fresh Horde character, 100 gold is quickly accumulated through normal play:

• The Dragon Isles Expedition starting hub or any other starting campaign gives 20-30 gold for the first quests
• Any leveling zone — 50-80 gold over a few hours of play from quests and selling loot
• Mail from your main character — if you have a main, just send gold via in-game mail
• Selling gathered herbs, ore and loot on the auction house — even starter gathering professions bring in several dozen gold per hour

Don't spend your starting gold on consumables until the mount is bought: transport is the main priority at early levels.