This mini-guide is for those who want to travel long distances at 1000 average mount speed and for those f2p who want to get 116 achievements and 7 titles among other rewards in dragon racing, but are not quite there yet.
Fast travel is a game-changing QoL feature and surprisingly not fully presented in a guide afaik, even less for f2p, so this may be a useful one.
Please share your tips below so we can improve together and you are also welcome to ask questions about specific races if having difficulties.
I. SKYRIDING
1. Interface modification.
Standard WoW skyriding UI only shows vigor status and for an easy fast travel you need to know at least two more parameters: your current speed and pitch (acceleration). While it's theoretically possible to do without this UI modification, in practice it's a must. There are several options available. From my experience WeakAuras addon + Darian Dragonriding UI works fine.
2. Talents
Make sure to pick Second Wind and Thrill Chaser talents, to state the obvious.
3. Skyward Ascent trick.
SAT is the primary way to get all your objectives, it's also a must. It will take some time for you to master it, but through practice you will get good enough even if you are not a fast-fingers guy, trust me I know
Keybind Skyward Ascent and start practicing, aka mouse twitching (btw need a good mouse too).
For a SAT you have to do a sequence of 3 movements as fast as you can (in a split of a second): 1) look up, 2) press SA, 3) look in the direction you want to go. Minimizing the gap between steps 2 and 3 is most important, it should be almost simultaneous. There are two criteria to tell that you are perfect: your speed goes to max and your course doesn't change.
II. DRAGON RACING
Once you are (almost) perfect with SAT, you can collect all your racing golds. SAT will help you compensate for all the advantages hi-lvl have vs f2p: more vigor points and 'ground skimming' (although these two affect only some races) and double the 'thrill of the skies' regeneration rate (very important). Here are some additional tips to shave off those last split seconds:
1. Bronze Timelock.
In some races the starting point is located inconveniently. You can use the Bronze Timelock ability to move it to an edge (sometimes even a branch of a tree) closest to the first gate if you want to start without SA or a high place for challenge courses or anywhere that works best.
2. Vigor level at start.
To maximize you vigor at the start at full 4 you need to to click select your course when the meter is at about half point (i.e. 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5).
3. Use of Surge Forward.
In 90%+ of cases SAT will be your best choice however sometimes, particularly at the start or when you are going downward and it may be hard to look up without changing course, Surge Forward may work better.
And furthermore there are some additional ideas that I have NOT tested myself:
4. Mount hitbox.
Mounts have slightly different hitbox sizes in WoW. I prefer a smaller hitbox that has the following advantages: easier to dodge obstacles and navigate through narrow passes, also better visibility. The downside is you need to fly closer to the gates and vigor orbs.
5. 1st person view.
Some people find this view to provide better visibility and maneuverability.
6. Recording yourself.
If you struggle with a particular race it may help to analyse errors. One thing to watch for is the 'thrill of the skies' buff - it should be always on.
Fast travel is a game-changing QoL feature and surprisingly not fully presented in a guide afaik, even less for f2p, so this may be a useful one.
Please share your tips below so we can improve together and you are also welcome to ask questions about specific races if having difficulties.
I. SKYRIDING
1. Interface modification.
Standard WoW skyriding UI only shows vigor status and for an easy fast travel you need to know at least two more parameters: your current speed and pitch (acceleration). While it's theoretically possible to do without this UI modification, in practice it's a must. There are several options available. From my experience WeakAuras addon + Darian Dragonriding UI works fine.
2. Talents
Make sure to pick Second Wind and Thrill Chaser talents, to state the obvious.
3. Skyward Ascent trick.
SAT is the primary way to get all your objectives, it's also a must. It will take some time for you to master it, but through practice you will get good enough even if you are not a fast-fingers guy, trust me I know
Keybind Skyward Ascent and start practicing, aka mouse twitching (btw need a good mouse too).For a SAT you have to do a sequence of 3 movements as fast as you can (in a split of a second): 1) look up, 2) press SA, 3) look in the direction you want to go. Minimizing the gap between steps 2 and 3 is most important, it should be almost simultaneous. There are two criteria to tell that you are perfect: your speed goes to max and your course doesn't change.
II. DRAGON RACING
Once you are (almost) perfect with SAT, you can collect all your racing golds. SAT will help you compensate for all the advantages hi-lvl have vs f2p: more vigor points and 'ground skimming' (although these two affect only some races) and double the 'thrill of the skies' regeneration rate (very important). Here are some additional tips to shave off those last split seconds:
1. Bronze Timelock.
In some races the starting point is located inconveniently. You can use the Bronze Timelock ability to move it to an edge (sometimes even a branch of a tree) closest to the first gate if you want to start without SA or a high place for challenge courses or anywhere that works best.
2. Vigor level at start.
To maximize you vigor at the start at full 4 you need to to click select your course when the meter is at about half point (i.e. 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5).
3. Use of Surge Forward.
In 90%+ of cases SAT will be your best choice however sometimes, particularly at the start or when you are going downward and it may be hard to look up without changing course, Surge Forward may work better.
And furthermore there are some additional ideas that I have NOT tested myself:
4. Mount hitbox.
Mounts have slightly different hitbox sizes in WoW. I prefer a smaller hitbox that has the following advantages: easier to dodge obstacles and navigate through narrow passes, also better visibility. The downside is you need to fly closer to the gates and vigor orbs.
5. 1st person view.
Some people find this view to provide better visibility and maneuverability.
6. Recording yourself.
If you struggle with a particular race it may help to analyse errors. One thing to watch for is the 'thrill of the skies' buff - it should be always on.
