WRUP: In the Arms of a Bat

Bats are clearly the superior totem animal, as proven by the absolute dominance of Batman over every other superhero ever. So while we were canvassing your intrepid WoW Insider staff to find out what thye're doing with our weekend, we had to ask about bats. Is the Armored Bloodwing the coolest mount ever, or just the coolest mount to exist so far? Also, if you somehow believe the Armored Bloodwing isn't the final word in best mounts ever, what mount tickles your fancy?

What about you folks? When you feel that gripping need for speed, which mount is your go-to choice? No matter what you choose; no buzzing the tower.

Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey) This weekend will be spent typing. A lot. I don't think I'll get much WoW in, although I'm going to try and get the last leg of LFR completed so I can hopefully get some tasty runestones. After waiting oh-so-long to get a bat mount, I have to say I'm awfully pleased with the appearance of this guy, and I kind of wish they'd go ahead and re-skin all the old bats to match the model (in a different color, of course!). It'd be nice to see the wyverns and gryphons get a skin upgrade to the new models, too, come to think of it...

Chase Hasbrouck (@alarondruid, @alaronmonk) I'm coming up for air after a long week of cramming for Microsoft certification exams. Not sure what I'll do at this point, really, other than sleep and catch up on housework (yes, I'm that boring). As for the bonus, meh, that's what flight form is for :) For ground stuff, I typically use GoGoMount to just load me up a random one, though If I had to choose a sentimental favorite it'd be my Swift Zhevra.

Dan Desmond (@Antigen_) I plan on finishing the campaign in Heart of the Swarm this weekend, in addition to starting the gear grind on my freshly-90 warlock. I might even throw myself into bronze league matches, though even knowing it's the bottom of the ladder it still makes me nervous.

The Armored Bloodwing is a nice model, but I can never bring myself to use Blizzard Store mounts for very long. It strikes me as a big fad -- everyone will get one, and they'll be so overused that they'll lose their uniqueness and flair. I'll probably stick with my Pureblood Fire Hawk for the time being.

Daniel Whitcomb (@danielwhitcomb) I'm still leveling my Shaman. She's in the 50s so I'm thinking I see if I get into the 60s this weekend. As far as mounts go... It really depends on the character and the day. My Jade kite, Red Flying Cloud, Ebon Cloud Serpent, Depleted Kyparium Rocket, Rivendare's Deathcharger, Kael'thas Hawkstrider, and Black Riding Goat all see a lot of use though. I'm also getting into the Pandaren turtles lately. I love how they have all that gear on their back. Makes me feel like a proper wandering adventurer.

Elizabeth Wachowski (@leeatwaterlives) I'm working days, but the EMS gods may be kind and grant me some time to mess around in WoW and Skyrim.

Joe Perez (@lodurzj) I am preparing my self mentally for my new 9-5 job that I start this Monday. New place where I know no one yet, so should be entertaining. As far as games go, I'm leveling up a baby Blood Elf Warlock and really enjoying that so I think I'll keep doing that for a bit. She's got some kicking 80's hair. As far as the bat goes, I actually really like it especially since most of my toons are Alliance side and I don't get to ride bats often if ever. I even changed my transmog to honor the occasion. Cryptsalker armor goes really well with the bat. I also may or may not have gone around for the first hour with the bat going "I AM THE NIGHT!" on mumble...

Kristin Marshall (@kristin) I'm helping my mom move, so that will take up the weekend. I don't even think I'll have time to raid! *le gasp*

Bonus: I'm not quite sold on the new mount. It will probably find its way into my stables at some point because I'm a collector, after all. My go-to flying mount is the Onyxian Drake, and when I need something closer to the ground I use my Depleted Kyparium Rocket, Mechano-Hog, or Ultramarine Qiraji Battle Tank.

Lisa Poisso (@lisapoisso) So I succumbed and made a warlock, not only because I've historically loved necromancers yet never played a warlock but also because I wanted a fresh character to try soloing instances and raids all the way up the levels. I'd thought I wanted to be a goblin, but a certain amount of Kazan left me feeling silly and missing guild chat horribly, so I've just managed to remake a human. As far as WRUP, I'll be guild-tagging and (time permitting) zipping through the newbie levels. Bonus question: Mounts are like cars to me: I'd like a moderately nice one that's compact and easy to park; beyond that, I find mounts/cars about as interesting as stovetops or refrigerators. (Although I suppose some people dig their fridges. More power to you, my chill brethren.)

Matthew Rossi (@MatthewWRossi) Last I checked, bats are part of nature, same as birds or snakes or cats. I ride all those things, why not a bat? I'm especially shocked that DRUIDS are being all anti-bat. Kirk Langstrom would be so disappointed.

On the other hand, the bat isn't Mimiron's Head so I have zero interest in it.

Anyway, we finished off Lei Shen this week so we're off this weekend. I might just do some stuff.

Megan O'Neill (@slowpoker) I think on Sunday I'm doing more Challenge Modes with a group. Not sure if we'll knock all four that are left out, so it might be another week before I can possibly see Illidan horns on my head. Otherwise, I plan to alternate farming retro raids, making Mogu Fish Stew stacks, and pet battles with writing of both the column and the fiction kind.

Bonus -- I still prefer my Ironbound Proto-Drake (flying) + Black War Bear (ground) because they match my current transmog. BUT... that bat mount screams to me that it might be time to re-transmog my warlock. Sadly for me, the other warlock sets I think of when I see this mount are Gul'dan's Regalia and old vanilla Dreadgear for the Horde. I think I will have to settle for using some Furious plus Merciless Gladiator hybrid transmog for my Alliance 'lock. (I prefer the darker Merciless Glad to truly rocking Corruptor.)

Olivia Grace (@oliviadgrace) But is Batman really a superhero? Does he really have any superpowers? He's just very well equipped and capable!

By the same token, I'm not convinced the batmount will be something I'm happy to spend real money on. I think they need to look at pet store mounts with a broader appeal, like the sparkle pony.

As for this weekend, I'm in France. I suspect we will play drink the wine.

Robin Torres (@cosmiclaurel) I'll still be duoing with the family when we're not enjoying the lovely LA weather. Bonus: Sparkle pony forever!

Sarah Pine (@ilaniel) The Amored Bloodwing looks cool and all but... I guess it's not really my thing so much? I could only use it for my undead toons, it would be really weird for the rest of them.

HI GUYS I'm a dedicated druid of the Cenarion Circle devoted to healing the earth and protecting the pure wilderness LET ME CLIMB ON TOP OF THIS MONSTROUS... monster.

Nah, man.

I really love my Wintersaber though. White tiger with purple stripes!

The weekend is the perfect time to kick back, relax and enjoy some game time. Are you an achievement junkie? Can't get enough raiding? Rolling a new alt? Considering taking the leap into roleplaying? Whatever your favorite way to play World of Warcraft, let us know in the comments what you're playing this weekend!