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Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake

Item Level 70
Binds when picked up
Unique
Mount (Account-wide)

Use: Teaches you how to summon this mount. This is a flying mount.
Requires Level 70
Requires Artisan Riding

Legacy

Bred specifically to honor those heroes who showed significant courage and persistence facing the dangers in Northrend.

Guides

A Fortnight in
Dalaran: Farming Northrend
Mounts and Pets at lvl85+

Mount Collecting: The
Completionist Guide

Proto-Drakes: Your
Guide to Finding
or Collecting Them All

Comments

Comment by Lucid

Rewarded by Glory of the Raider. The 10 man version.

This 310% mount is no longer obtainable. Players who earned this mount prior to patch 3.1 will be able to keep their mount.

Comment by Teza

Don't forget to mention it's a 310% mount.

Comment by CallMeVlad911

These look just like the Blighted Proto-Drakes in Valkyrion (in storm peaks)

Comment by Cindered

The irony of all things, is that this is mailed to you by Alexstrasza. I guess nothing says thank-you quite like a diseased dragon, huh?

Comment by LostShard

Video of the Mount:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A50otDi0yM&fmt=22

Comment by Nandu

From MMO-Champion:

When 3.1 goes live, the rewards for “Glory of the Raider” and “Heroic: Glory of the Raider” are being removed. These achievements will still be active, however, players will no longer receive the Plagued Proto-Drake or Black Proto-Drake for completing them. Similar to our decision to remove the Amani War Bear from Zul’Aman, the goal is to ensure that such mounts retain a degree of rarity in the game; and with raids progressing into Ulduar in patch 3.1, we feel obtaining the rewards for “Glory of the Raider” and “Heroic: Glory of the Raider” would be somewhat trivialized. For this reason we will be offering new fast mounts (310 speed) as rewards for completing select achievements associated with 10 and 25-player Ulduar.

Comment by Talor

Not the mount will be removed but the possibility to get it.

Comment by RiceCake

The achievements needed for the meta that rewards this drake are of the 10 man version. As such, a lot of the achievements are easier to get due to a smaller raid size (could pay more attention to details, less screwups, and better group composition with better players). However, there's one exception and that is "The Twilight Zone." The 10 man version of hard mode Sartharion is considerably harder than the 25 man version. While "The Undying" is no easy feat, it is definitely much easier than "The Immortal." "You don't have an Eternity" is not extremely difficult as well in 10 man. Consequently, "Shocking" is ridiculously easy as you can just spread out evenly on Thaddius's platform and dps him down without worrying about polarity shifts. As such, if you have the above 3 10 man achievements (The Undying, You don't have an Eternity, and The Twilight Zone), you have a very good shot at getting this drake.

Comment by Harol

As of today (April 14th, 2009), this item can no longer be obtained by completing the Glory of the Raider meta achievement.

Comment by Xapthulhu

It's funny how tiny its footprints are in the snow when you look at the size of its feet.

Comment by Dinkyy

I believe she has a (hot) humanoid form.

EDIT: looks like the guy deleted his comment. He was wondering how Alexstrasza managed to write a letter to you once getting the achievement

Comment by momo123s

blizzard has removed this mount from the game, sadly :(

Comment by Skeksil

The Letter from Alexstrasza the Life-Binder:
Champion,

Word has traveled to Wyrmrest Temple of the great deeds you have accomplished since arriving in Northrend.

Your bravery should not go unrecognized. Please accept this gift on behalf of the Aspects. Together we shall rid Azeroth of evil, once and for eternity.

Alexstrasza the Life-Binder

Dear Alexstrasza,

Thank you for the gift of the Scourge-born, filth-ridden mount. What better way to fight the Lich King than by riding around on one of his highly infectious creations as I risk life and limb while you sit pretty on your tower, next to your consort.

Thanks,

SkekSil

PS: Bolvar wishes to congratulate you and your people on their superb aim, and invites you to a party at his new house. No RSVP needed, just show up whenever.

Comment by MelancholyRose

It makes me quite depressed, as a mount collector, to see this mount become unavailable before even getting a chance to try for it. I ended up getting the Rusted Proto-Drake and my guild is currently working on Ironbound, however, it seems that they kept those achievements around much longer than they kept the regular Glory of the Raider achievements around. I think possibly only one or two people on my server had Plagued or Black Proto-Drakes as opposed to the hundreds who have Rusted.

I understand why Blizzard did this, but at the same time, it seems rather silly to me. Gear and experience also "trivializes" farming for other mounts, but they don't remove those. If they're going to remove mounts, ~~shouldn't they remove the "Undying" title, too?~~ Apparently, they did also remove the Undying title, as well as Immortal. Still, they did it much later than they removed the proto-drakes. The titles were around long after those drakes were removed.

I realize people want to have something rare and special, and I condone that, but these mounts are indeed SO rare because no one had a chance to get them, at least on my server. They really could have waited longer to do this, but I suppose it was sort of the first mounts to be obtained via achievement. I guess in the future they know better. Their removal of Plagued and Black proto-drakes caused a lot of people to believe that the Glory of the Ulduar and Icecrown Raider drakes would be removed in Cataclysm, and thankfully, they weren't.

Note: As of Mists of Pandaria, this mount can rarely be seen on the Black Market Auction House, or so I've been told. I think this is an excellent way of handling this mount and retired mounts like it. It keeps the mount "rare" while also putting it back in the game.

On another note, I've noticed a trend with retired mounts like this one and people wanting a chance at them. There seems to be two sides of the fence: The "I want some kind of alternate chance at one" people, and the "You snooze, you lose, loser" people (if you want to call "leveling my character at the time" "snoozing"). The Rusted and Ironbound Proto-Drakes are still being collected by admirers of those gorgeous mounts regardless of how "special" they are now. The Ironbound Proto-Drake remains to be one of my favorites, despite having lots of mounts that are retired and rare drops, and I was so happy they didn't remove the award from the game. If they removed them from the game after I got one, I wouldn't be happy at the thought of "Ooo look how special I'll become." I'd think "Why did they do such a thing? People should have a shot at it."

Let's take, for example, the Tyrael's Charger, a mount that is now retired. It belonged to an annual pass, and everyone at the time got a chance at it. It was a marketing gimmick for Blizzard to hold onto subscribers. It wasn't acquired by some AWESOME SKILL. All it required you to do was to have a credit card and subscribe for a year. People were already doing that as it was. However, when people suggest that it be put up on the BMAH now and then for a rare chance to buy one, you STILL see people tell them that their pretty horse is special, that they got it when it was available, and you snooze, you lose. Admit that it isn't about what you did to earn that mount. It's about how much attention you like getting for having it. Everyone loves to be adored. Everyone loves to be looked at. If they didn't, they wouldn't spend hours in Orgrimmar or Shrine at the Vale sitting on their vehicles and doing nothing else. We're only human, after all. It's unfair to other people to say "I don't want you having that, because then I wouldn't be special," yet it's something I understand on a psychological level. Many people collect mounts to get that "special" feeling. However, I think it's a bit vicious to say "I don't want anyone else feeling that." I am a proud owner of Tyrael's Charger, by the way, and I think they should put it on the BMAH someday. What harm could it do? Someone else will have the same mount as me? Big deal. Half the community has Ashes of Al'ar and Onyxian Drake by now (and Onyxian Drake took me three years of farming to obtain). It doesn't make me love my mounts any less. I cherish every one of them, have memories attached to them, memories that can't be bought or sold at high prices.

If you truly do hold something dear and sentimental to you-- if your Plagued Proto-Drake was acquired via endless amounts of hard work and sweat-- that's terrific, that's amazing, and I'm happy for you. But don't sit on a high horse (no pun intended) claiming no one deserves to have one now. I have over 200 mounts, and I've never thought that about any of them. I cheer at people who have the same mounts as me, even the old, retired ones. I think "Wow, someone else who spent all of that time and hard work on that (or gold, etc). We have something in common!"

I understand completely now that Blizzard really had no clue what they were doing with achievement-related mounts back then. Achievements were a new thing to them and to us. Now they have a bit more understanding of how they want to handle it because they've been around for years. They didn't remove Plagued and Black Proto-Drakes because they wanted people to feel special. They wanted to create a kind of "Ahead of the Curve" thing like they have now, and give a reward for it (in 5.4 they will have BOTH the achievement mount, AND the Ahead of the Curve mounts to work toward, leaving the achievement mounts in the game and the Ahead of the Curve mounts for a reward for current content completion). The Swift Horde Wolf and Swift Alliance Steed in ToC had that same gist to it. While I got the Horde Wolf, I never got the 25-player version, the Crusader's Warhorse. I think it'd be cool if both mounts showed up in the BMAH. Sell them to the highest bidder. If people have the gold, what's the harm in it? The only thing it's going to hurt is your ego. "They got it when it was already retired." So what? I think if people earn hundreds of thousands of gold, I'd say that's just as incredible as beating ToC with no one dying. They still earned it, just in a different way than you did.

In conclusion, since Plagued Proto is on the BMAH now and then, I'd say mounts like these might land in the hands of collectors in the future that missed out on them, and that's a great idea. They should keep doing it!

With that said, it's been years since they removed the Plagued Proto-Drake as a reward from its original achievement, and half the people who got one back then have quit the game. I see no reason not to have it available now. When buying mounts on the BMAH you still have to "earn" them, but at least you have the CHANCE to earn them. That's an improvement.

Comment by Ishtar

On Blizzard's Q and A:

Q: Will you ever bring back the mounts for achievements that were removed (Naxx Glory runs) as you didn't remove the later mounts? – Joyia (North America/ANZ)

A: This is a tough one. On the one hand, we know there are a lot of players who would still like to get their hands on these mounts. On the other hand, we were pretty clear that they would only be available for a limited time, and we hate to go back on our word because we know some groups went through heroic efforts to get them before the door closed. This is the kind of thing that is not set in stone and player feedback might eventually convince us to change our minds.

So basically, there is a chance that the Black and Plagues could make a return someday if people keep requesting its return on the Official forums. Go and please ask for its reinstatement!

Comment by Merton

In regards to the removal of this mount...unless you physically went somewhere, like BlizzCon or France or w.e, I feel like all collectible content should not be removed. Look at it this way...hardcore guild raids hardcore and gets hardcore rewards LONG before anyone else can get them, entire expansions before in some/most cases. But those hardcore raiders who spend a significant amount of time playing (or maybe they are just that good) are actually paying less money to blizzard. What I mean is if I play 1 hour a day for 60 days and buy my $30 subscription card, I'm essentially paying $0.50/hour of game time. If I play 10 hours a day...I'm only paying $0.05/hour...and blizzard rewards them...pffft

Leave the mounts in there...even if it takes me 10 times as long to get the mount, I am still paying for the content...

Comment by Mystex

I bought WoW only 1 month ago,....and this is probably the most awesome proto i never seen :(

Comment by Sequestre

Best looking Proto-Drake ever,so sad it's no longer obtainable.

Comment by Yepah

I began playing WoW in October of 2009. I have been playing and raiding consistently since ICC and I am an avid mount and companion pet collector. As I combed areas of Northrend I noticed models of this mount as hostile NPCs. I thought they would make an amazing mount, and little did I know, there was a mount of the same model, although it was no longer obtainable. I had not, and still haven't, seen any player with this mount on my server, even with the account-wide shared mounts in 5.0.4. It's a shame that such a beautiful mount is owned by so few players.

I understand that the people with this mount worked hard and tirelessly to earn it. However, there are active, dedicated players who would really like a shot at earning this mount now. Maybe a rare drop chance from a cache that only drops in level appropriate heroic raid bosses. Something that would give us a glimmer of hope that we have a chance at it. That way those of us who are working at progression and raid achievements can be rewarded. I work hard to succeed in progressive raiding and I think I deserve a chance at mounts and/or pets that were removed from the game before I even started playing.

So, who do I contact to formally request that these rare achievement mounts be brought back to the game in some way?

Comment by zknm7

I think it's a shame that this mount is no longer available to players... especially considering that the Ulduar and ICC meta mounts are still obtainable. IMO, this is the sickest (no pun intended, lol) looking proto drake in the whole game, I even prefer it over the Ulduar mounts. Blizz, please bring the Naxx meta mounts back!

Comment by Levallia

I really hope that they bring this, and some of the other "discontinued" mounts back. And if the people who got it first wanting it to stay limited are the issue, perhaps a little tweaking would make everyone happy. You know, something like adding "2nd Gen." to the name of the ones gained after they're brought back, or making them slightly smaller, or something; maybe even adding a fancy frill of some kind to the originals.

On another note, you guys may be onto something with that "giving a diseased, infectious, and dying member of the species being a dragon custom" theory. If it is, I would hate to offend a being as powerful as Alexstraza. We must reciprocate appropriately--give them Lindsay Lohan.

Comment by Victorsilvares

This particular mout was selling on the Black Market AH of my server (Nemesis-US) . 80k golds.

So the "This item is no longer available within the game." is not entirely true anymore.

Comment by Highlol

Tbh guys i understand some people really want this mount but seriously one of the reasons you guys want this is just because its unobtainable and its always like that. I bet it would be the same if it was the ulduar or ICC mounts that were unobtainable.

I am one of the few people with this mount, and if this mount became obtainable again it would completely ruin it for me and the other few people with this mount. I really hope blizzard wont put this back in the game and let this cool mount stay unique so i dont have to see 30 people with this flying around in orgrimmar everyday.

Comment by TheWheatOne

Now in Black Market. Que the WotLK Raiders raging and the casuals/raiders-who-missed-out rejoicing.

Comment by Skaturas

I know this information can be found all over the page, but to make it clear:

This mount was obtained through Glory of the Raider (10 player), and was available from the launch of Wrath of the Lich King until the 3.1 patch day. It was removed along with the Reins of the Black Proto-Drake (25 man version)

In patch 5.1, the item is available once again, and is now being sold on the Black Market Auction House (BMAH).

Like every current flying mount in game, it scales with your riding skill, it's no longer 310% only.

Comment by Ashleyy

Can confirm this is now on BMAH, all mount hunters REJOICE! This is the first step toward bringing back the old ZG tiger and raptor. I personally cannot wait to see what they wil put next, and will be out there bidding on thoes ohh so unobtainable mounts... ohh wait.

Comment by Stok3d

An undocumented patch in 5.1 now has this mount again available in the game (Source).

Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake was originally the reward for Glory of the Raider (10 player) and became unavailable in patch 3.1.
I'm waiting patiently to see if Reins of the Black Proto-Drake will also show up on BMAH as Glory of the Raider (25 player) was also removed from the game at the same time. Maybe Blizz will slowly begin phasing these back in via BMAH?

To view an updated list of all of the 350+ mounts in WoW (unavailable and available), check out Mount Collecting: The Completionist Guide.

Comment by mimee21

How much is this mount going for in your servers? hit the numbers so we all have an idea on how much we'll have to spend on it.

Comment by TehLucario

I think it's going up on the black market next patch...

Comment by Kroete0306

sold today in BMAH on Mug´thol for 209.999 Gold

Comment by neonjohn

While I understand their reasoning for removing the rewards, Blizzard, generally speaking, should not remove content. After all, people pay good money to play this game. The simple solution is putting level caps on instances, OR scale players to a level cap (i.e. A level 90 would receive a unmitigatable debuff, while in the instance, that reduces stats of player and items to level cap values for the instance). While I understand that's not exactly simple programming-wise, the concept is. So, your level 517 gear and player stats/health would be reduced 90% (or whatever the percentage is) to be around level 60 to do Molten Core, for example. So, your amazing ilvl 517 gear would still be at an advantage because someone with 463 gear would also be scaled the same percentage.

Of course, we could work in other considerations to it, and I'm not a huge fan of my own suggestion, but I would prefer that to removing content.

Comment by nikkubas

@210k on Crushridge atm (ouch). Still time left.

Comment by stormrage442

423k so far on Proudmoore.
*Whisltes*
How do people even have that much gold haha.

Comment by dextter

you do not obtain it from a gm it is the old version of ironbound proto drake as they changed it in cata i believe

Comment by dilla69

Actually obtainable at EU-Die Nachtwache BMAH!

Comment by Mantrhax

Can u imagine the frustration of the people who start to play now and see that a lot of in game content isnt available to them ?they probably quit in a while.

Comment by rossitini

Got this on EU hellscream for 170k! Bargain IMO....until I found out it was on a few days earlier and sold for 105k.....damn it! Still stoaked as it isn't available anymore from achievement and it is the last proto drake I needed to finish my collection!

*little tip*

These things always seem to go for a lot less gold on Wednesday's as most guilds are raiding. If you can, sit a alt in BMAH and when guild is clearing trash log over and grab a bargain. Good luck

Comment by BossHarp

Just got this on Shattered Hand US a few minutes ago for 288k via the BMAH. Worth every penny to me! :)

Comment by sgscarborough

I just looted Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake from my first Unclaimed Black Market Container. I almost fell out of my seat since I've wanted this mount since WotLK, but didn't complete the Nax achievements in time. Also, I didn't think I'd get a chance to buy it off the black market since it is so sought after and would likely be out of my price range (e.g. Invincible's Reins went for a whopping 999,999g on my realm and that's for a farmable mount!).

I got the container for 47.5k and thought I would be adding another junk loot to wowhead's database, but it actually worked out well for me! Sometimes you get lucky! :)

Wowhead is still collecting loot data, but if every item in the black market loot table has an equal drop chance (a guess at this point, but possible) the drop rate on any epic mount is probably extremely low. I wouldn't buy a unclaimed black market container unless you are willing to lose some gold in the process and don't mind taking a gamble. Still, it can work out and it did this time! Good luck and best wishes!

Comment by ZsadistNazjatar

Bought it today for 140k Gold in the blackmarket. I love it - I missed it in the WOTLK times because of only one achievement but now its finally mine :)

Comment by jeeyeop

Just got this mount on Alterac Mountains US for 220k (not bad for a medium server). This mount looks sick... well, more plagued I guess : / I'll show myself out.

Comment by Kragtast

IMO This mount isn't as ugly as the green or violet protos, but the Time-Lost, Blue, Red and especially the black, rusted and ironbound look considerably better.

I'm not saying the mount sucks, or its the worst thing ever, it just isn't that attractive of a mount, but that's just my opinion.

Comment by bonko01

350 k on Doomhammer EU,made a lot of hardcore collectors sad that day. http://i.imgur.com/mMLWh9B.jpg?1

Comment by Soybeanie

404k on Thaurissan/Dreadmaul 17/04/2014

Comment by steel108

SOLUTION FOR ACHIEVEMENT MOUNTS

Blizzard has the capability to adjust gear in instances (Challenge Modes). They should allow players to earn these mounts. Just scale our gear to the instance. If we want to do the ICC achievements we select that (25 player Heroic Achievement) and our gear scales to what was available when the content was current.

I can't figure out why Blizz hasn't done this

Comment by Sierron

Saw it on Blade's Edge black market for 115k g. So she sell it too, but I don't know the price from the start, since it seems people have been bidding on it.

This was 45 min after midnight.

Comment by ReverendReb

Wyrmrest Accord - 11/25/2014

Verified as being on BMAH. Never before seen on WRA until this date. Will monitor and update if it should appear again, and what the ending price is. As for this particular auction...

Ending Price - 400,000g

Bidding was intense, and personal... jumping from 25k to 400k in the last hour.

I was winning bidder. GL out there, those of you trying to get this item. I didnt think it would dent my gold supply this badly to procure it.

Heed my advice... if you want this... SAVE YOUR GOLD. Its not going to go cheap, I dont believe.

Comment by sudeki1337

Just got this out of a Unclaimed Black Market Container which I purchased for 8910Gold on EU- Kult der Verdammten

Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake

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