orld of Warcraft offers a variety of mounts for the different races of Azeroth. Humans, for example, generally ride horses, and Orcs tend to favor their trusted wolf mounts. A mount is a special type of permanent pet that a player can own. Using one requires the riding talent, and with extensive training, riding specialists will be able to use mounts not generally available to their particular race.

More than mere status symbols, mounts allow players to travel over land more quickly than on foot. When a player is mounted, he or she has full control over the mount. To avoid exploiting monsters, players cannot attack while mounted. Also, monsters are unable to attack mounts. Instead, when a player is mounted, all attacks and damage are directed at the player and not at the mount. If a player dies while on a mount, the mount will "unsummon" and be available for "resummoning" once the player reenters the world of the living.

Owning a mount is an impressive accomplishment in the game (not to mention the fact that it makes you look cool).

Modified emotes are available for when you're on a mount.

The mounts for each race can differ in appearance. For instance, wolves' fur can be gray, white, black, or other colors.

Some quests are related to mounts. Paladins can talk to the paladin trainers Duthroian Rall or Brandur Ironhammer.

Your mount automatically "unsummons" when you go indoors, and can be resummoned when you go outdoors again.

Flying mounts can be obtained in Outland at level 60. These mounts can only be used in Outland and Northrend (with Cold Weather Flying at level 68).

Learn more about the basics of mounts.