How to hit Gold on every Skyriding race in The War Within

A new expansion means new Skyriding races, and this time we’ve got a whopping twenty-four new courses to cover. Fear not, racing aficionados, because I will prepare you to hit gold on each and every one.

Be aware that there are no dragon whelplings in World of Warcraft: The War Within to guide you from one race location to the next. To find your way, open the filter menu in the top right corner of your game map and check the box labeled Skyriding Races.

Before you dive in, be sure to check out this PSA from a very smart shrimp about proper flying habits, because this will be quite the marathon.

Done? Good. Then flex those phalanges and let’s get started.

Isle of Dorn Skyriding races

Filled with rugged mountains, open fields, and scenic forests, the Isle of Dorn is an ideal place to test your Skyriding skills. These don’t disappoint, with thrilling dives and steep ascents unlike any you saw in the Dragon Isles.

Orecreg’s Doglegs

Type: Agility

One of the few race courses in The War Within to include stun orb obstacles (at harder difficulties), Orecreg’s Doglegs will test your fine motor skills. Crank up your mouse sensitivity so you’ll be prepared to twitch the reins as subtly as a pro.

/way #2248 32.93, 74.83 Orecreg’s Doglegs

Basin Bypass

Type: Agility, Memorization

It’ll take a sharp wit to figure out how to take the Basin Bypass at speed without crashing into trees or buildings. (Either that, or this handy tutorial.) At least the middle section gives you a nice respite from all that branch-dodging.

/way #2248 53.49, 64.22 Basin Bypass

The Wold Ways

Type: Memorization, Vigor conservation

Your vigor reserves will be stretched to their limit in this scenic jaunt through the wilderness. Be sure to coast on the downhill sections, keep your turns tight, and make every point of vigor count.

/way #2248 62.16, 46.01 The Wold Ways

Thunderhead Trail

Type: Vigor Conservation

While not very tight on time, the Thunderhead Trail will take you up and down the tallest mountain in the zone. To master this race, remember that the steeper your angle when using Skyward Ascent, the faster you’ll be going when you reach the top. (Use DragonSpeed or a similar addon to track your speed if you’re having trouble.)

/way #2248 58.34, 24.84 Thunderhead Trail

Dornogal Drift

Type: Agility

This up-close-and-personal tour of the Earthen city of Dornogal will test your reflexes, but hopefully not your patience. Not only should you not be starved of vigor in this course, but someone must have kept the pedestrians in mind because it’s easy to finish without breaking the speed limit.

/way #2339 43.48, 11.66 Dornogal Drift

Storm’s Watch Survey

Type: Vigor conservation

I hope you like the sea, because one false move here will drop you in the drink. You’ll need to conserve vigor at the beginning of this course, and then spend it in pairs to make it across the water and back up to the peak. Be sure to keep your speed up if you want to keep your feet dry!

/way #2248 38.58, 43.46 Storm’s Watch Survey

The Ringing Deeps Skyriding races

The sound of hammers echoes through these stony halls, and yet there is more than mere stone here. Prepare to swoop around oversized ferns as well as statuesque stalactites when you explore this strangely verdant landscape.

Earthenworks Weave

Type: Agility

This jaunt through the Earthenworks will take both a steady hand and a careful eye on your vigor bar. You will find this race easiest if you can control your pitch carefully when using Skyward Surge — not too high, not too low.

/way #2214 40.86, 11.30 Earthenworks Weave

Ringing Deeps Ramble

Type: Agility, Puzzle

The Ringing Deeps Ramble is another race where careful control of your Skyward Surge is crucial, but be careful not to rely on it during the Reverse course. Remember that Surge Forward is the faster option whenever your pitch is less than 45 degrees.

/way #2214 42.22, 27.41 Ringing Deeps Ramble

Chittering Concourse

Type: Agility, Memorization

Even on Normal difficulty, this race has some challenging twists and turns. Be careful not to spend vigor until you can see the way forward, and don’t be afraid to coast on the downhills.

/way #2214 67.92, 34.80 Chittering Concourse

Cataract River Cruise

Type: Puzzle, Speed

While there are some tricky turns in the Cataract River Cruise, by far the greatest challenge is finding the right places to spend vigor. Don’t be afraid to play around, and of course consult the tutorial video above if you get stuck.

/way #2214 52.48, 46.87 Cataract River Cruise

Taelloch Twist

Type: Agility, Speed

The Taelloch Twist will take you through more of the Earthen’s construction sites. Make sure your mouse sensitivity is cranked up high to avoid strain on your wrist as you zig-zag through this challenging terrain.

/way #2214 66.63, 68.68 Taelloch Twist

Opportunity Point Amble

Type: Agility, Memorization, Speed

This sprawling course will take you through every type of terrain the Ringing Deeps has, including Earthen buildings, verdant pools, and deep, water-filled chasms. It’s a tricky balance of speed and caution, so enjoy the view but don’t let your awe overwhelm you.

/way #2214 63.55, 75.12 Opportunity Point Amble

Azj-Kahet Skyriding Races

If you thought caves couldn’t be beautiful, you thought wrong. Be prepared for vibrant, breathtaking dives right into the very heart of Azeroth itself.

The Weaver’s Wing

Type: Agility, Vigor conservation

Take advantage of every opportunity to coast on this fairly level course, and remember to keep your angle steep when you Skyward Surge for that extra burst of speed.

/way #2255 52.94, 36.19 The Weaver’s Wing

Rak-Ahat Rush

Type: Vigor conservation, Speed, Puzzle

With additional obstacles on Advanced and Reverse difficulties, you’re going to need to squeeze every meter out of the Vigor charges you’re given. Be careful not to hold onto too much of it though, or you’ll lose time in the long run.

/way #2255 71.34, 36.36 Rak-Ahat Rush

Maddening Deep Dip

Type: Vigor conservation, Speed

This race was the most fun I’ve had in weeks. With a combination of breakneck speed and a possibly the deepest dive in the entire game, it’ll take all your skill to get back out again.

/way #2255 77.91, 79.66 Maddening Deep Dip

City of Threads Twist

Type: Vigor conservation

While not incredibly tight on time, the City of Threads Twist will test your vigor management skills, with a plummeting drop if you fail. Make sure you spend your vigor in pairs for the extra burst of speed it gives.

/way #2213 27.04, 7.91 City of Threads Twist

Siegehold Scuttle

Type: Agility, Memorization

With many blind turns, the Siegehold Scuttle will probably take you multiple tries to complete. You will also need to master what I call a whip turn, which uses Skyward Surge to reverse direction quickly.

/way #2255 40.18, 32.20 Siegehold Scuttle

Pit Plunge

Type: Agility

This nose-to-the-ground agility course is fortunately fairly relaxed on time. Don’t be afraid to use Skyward Surge to whip around its many narrow obstacles.

/way #2255 23.81, 48.34 Pit Plunge

Hallowfall Skyriding Races

Considered by many to be the most beautiful game in the zone, Hallowfall will amaze you with both its exotic wildlife and the variety of its Skyriding races.

Light’s Redoubt Descent

Type: Agility, Memorization

While there are definitely some tricky turns in the Light’s Redoubt Descent, the majority of this race is straightforward dives and climbs. Be mindful of where you spend your vigor and you should make it back to the top without incident.

/way #2215 41.43, 67.23 Light’s Redoubt Descent

Mereldar Meander

Type: Agility, Puzzle

While the Advanced version of this course is much more straightforward than the Reverse, you will still need to keep at maximum speed on both. You will also need to make some carefully controlled Skyward Surges to complete this race.

/way #2215 38.97, 61.36 Mereldar Meander

Tenir’s Traversal

Type: Agility, Memorization

Let’s face it; you’re not getting this one on the first try. Fortunately they give you some leeway on time to account for the stunning acrobatics you will have to perform to make it through this course.

/way #2215 59.19, 68.95 Tenir’s Traversal

Dunelle’s Detour

Type: Agility, Puzzle

With sharp blind turns and some ridiculously daring bridge tricks, I won’t blame you if you run smack into a building here. Or you can take advantage of my own nose-bruising experience and just watch the video before you start.

/way #2215 72.77, 38.40 Dunelle’s Detour

Stillstone Slalom

Type: Agility

While the Normal version of this course is a monotonous zig-zag, the Advanced version redeems it with more variety in the kind of approaches you can take to its turns. Feel free to find your own solutions here, since you will have plenty of time to complete this course.

/way #2215 60.40, 26.01 Stillstone Slalom

Velhan’s Venture

Type: Agility

This fairly basic agility challenge might be the easiest in the zone. Just make sure you do a little downhill coasting at the beginning, because there’s not quite enough vigor to get you through on its own.

/way #2215 54.12, 17.40 Velhan’s Venture