mounts (WoW)  

Definition

A Mount is an animal that a player can ride (or machine if the player is a Gnome or an Engineer) that increases movement speed during travel. Warlocks and Paladins can summon their mounts with special spells. Also, in the Outlands, flying mounts are available for purchase after reaching level 70. There are a few options/requirements for acquiring a mount. A player can either learn the riding skill and purchase the mounts that correspond to that skill level, buy PvP Mounts using Marks of Honor, or try to acquire a mount from such instances as Stratholme, Zul'Gurub, Zul'Aman, Tempest Keep, Magisters' Terrace, Sethekk Halls, and Karazhan (these mounts, however, have an extremely low drop rate).

Also, not all races can ride all mounts. For instance, Tauren cannot ride a Hawkstrider, and Mechanostriders can only be ridden by Gnomes and Dwarves.

Reputation Discounts

If a player is in good standing with a particular faction (meaning they are Friendly, Honored, Revered, or Exalted), they may be able to obtain a reputation discount for that corresponding faction. Reputation discounts cover more than just mounts though. They are available for other items as well. This discount pertains to a faction discount (5% friendly, 10% honored, 15% revered and 20% exalted).

Riding Skills By Level

Level 40

The Apprentice Riding Skill (75) is available to players at level 40 for the cost of 90 gold. The skill may be acquired for less if the player has any Reputation discounts. Players may only purchase a Rare ground mount for an additional 10 gold after the skill has been trained. The Rare mount has a 60% movement speed increase.

Level 60

The Journeyman Riding Skill (150) is available for 600 gold at level 60. Reputation discounts may apply. Players may purchase an Epic ground mount for an additional 100 gold after the skill has been trained. The Epic mount has a 100% movement increase.

Level 70

Both the Expert (225) and Artisan (300) Riding Skills are available at level 70. The first riding skill (Expert) allows players to ride a flying mount that costs 800 gold for the skill training and an additional 100 gold for the mount. This flying mount has a 60% movement increase. The Artisan Riding Skill costs 5000 gold for the skill training and an additional 200 gold for an epic flying mount. No reputation discounts are available. The epic flying mount has a 280% movement increase.

Mounts

Rare Ground Mounts

Rare Ground Mounts cost 10 gold and require the Apprentice Riding Skill (75) to ride.

Epic Ground Mounts

Epic Ground Mounts cost 100 gold and require the Journeyman Riding Skill (150) to ride.

Flying Mounts

Flying mounts can only be purchased using the Expert Riding Skill (225) after gaining level 70. The basic flying mount costs 200 gold.