Significant changes to Northrend flying mounts discovered on the Patch 3.2 PTR [Updated]
A little surprise on the Patch 3.2 PTR was discovered this evening. The Cold Weather Flying training, which previously had to be purchased for each character that wanted to fly in Northrend is now available as a Bind on Account book purchasable at the exotic mounts vendor in Dalaran.
The Use text is a little odd in that it notes the "tome is consumed when read." To me that means that the book is only a one use thing, which is a departure from current BoA items. And why have a level 68 requirement on this and not the normal Cold Weather Flying training? If you're 68 you're likely to be able to get to Dalaran anyways these days.
But wait Did you see it? You might have missed it.
It shows level 68 being the required level, not level 77.
Did Northrend just become accessible to flying at level 68 instead of 77? If these PTR changes are for real, then it just did. Of course this is the PTR so such things are subject to change. Don't go bugging the Blues and tell them that we said it was happening. It might very well not make it into the final version of Patch 3.2.
But with that said, one possible explanation for the Use text on the tome is that the book is intended to be purchased by a high level character and then sent to an alt, thus speeding up the leveling process significantly for high level alts.
This change would be in line with the other mount changes that will be taking place in Patch 3.2. Blizzard clearly has an aim here to make leveling alts easier, principally by allowing various levels of mount flying sooner.
We'll keep you updated on any blue response to this very interesting development.
Update 1:15 a.m. EDT:
Guess what! Zarhym responded just a short time ago to a thread on the official forums clarifying the change. It looks like this could very well be making it onto the live servers. Zarhym said:
Just to confirm, Tome of Cold Weather Flight is actually a new heirloom item planned to go into patch 3.2. At level 80 players can buy this heirloom item from the Cold Weather Flying Trainer in Dalaran for 1,000 gold and send it to an alt of the same realm, faction and account. The tome can be used to learn Cold Weather Flying at level 68, consuming the tome in the process.
Please note this feature is not yet in the newest version of the public test realm patch notes updated today. The item and its functionality are subject to change during the testing process.
Note that the cost shown in the picture (900g) is due to the faction discount.
Many thanks to Red Hawk for the tip!
Patch 3.2 will bring about a new 5, 10, and 25 man instance to WoW, and usher in a new 40-man battleground called the Isle of Conquest. WoW.com will have you covered every step of the way, from extensive PTR coverage through the official live release. Check out WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.2 for all the latest!
