Among the notable rare mounts in World of Warcraft, the Reins of the Mighty Caravan Brutosaur stands out as one of the rarest. Its scarcity is not due to the challenge of obtaining it, but because it has been phased out. Originally, during the World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth expansion, this mount was available for a staggering five million gold from a vendor.
Following the release of patch 9.0.1, Blizzard removed the Brutosaur mount from regular vendor listings and placed it sporadically in the Black Market Auction House—a rotating marketplace featuring scarce items up for bid. The demand was so high that players began subscribing merely to check the auction house for this coveted mount.
Why Players Seek the Brutosaur Mount in World of Warcraft
It’s no wonder that many dedicated WoW players who amassed sufficient gold during the Brutosaur mount’s availability quickly made the purchase. This mount is notable for housing one of the game’s most beneficial NPCs—the auctioneer. With an auctioneer available wherever you ride, players gain immediate access to nearly all items needed, provided they have a mailbox with them.
This convenience enhances gameplay, allowing players to craft items next to profession trainers and effortlessly use an auctioneer whenever they need to acquire more supplies.
This functionality proves especially invaluable in raids and dungeons, where forgetting essential consumables like elixirs, food buffs, or potions can hinder performance. The Brutosaur mount not only assists the player but also lends support to fellow party members, guildmates, and other raid participants, allowing everyone to access the auctioneer for their needs.
Although players understand the mount’s significant advantages, its steep price tag of five million gold presents a major hurdle. Accumulating such an amount demands thousands of hours spent leveraging optimal farming strategies or pursuing profitable professions. Many attempted to grind for the gold, hoping to reach that impressive figure within a year or two, but few succeeded.
The Removal of the Reins of the Mighty Caravan Brutosaur Mount from the Vendor
After the Brutosaur mount vanished from vendor stock, players inundated Blizzard with inquiries about its potential return. This question echoed across Blizzard forums, Reddit, and various other platforms with each expansion, yet Blizzard remained silent.
With the Brutosaur mount now a sporadic item in the Black Market Auction House, players left no stone unturned, waiting for each reset with their five million gold prepared. Unfortunately, many found themselves having no luck during their gameplay.
Each game’s realm features distinct offerings in the Black Market Auction House, prompting some players to level up characters on different realms for better odds at acquiring the mount. When it does finally appear, fierce bidding wars ensue, driving the cost to often exceed six million gold.
It’s essential to consider that WoW Tokens allow players to buy gold with real-world money directly from the Blizzard store. A WoW Token has been estimated to provide between 220,000 and 280,000 gold since 2022. At a price of $20 for a single token, amassing five million gold roughly costs nearly $400, purely for the Brutosaur’s gold requirement.
Blizzard Unveils the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur Mount
On October 24, 2024, Blizzard introduced the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur mount. Featuring a slight color variation, this mount boasts significant advantages over the elusive Reins of the Mighty Caravan Brutosaur—it includes both an auctioneer and a mailbox. Priced at $90, it seems modest when compared to the previously discussed $400 investment, while offering additional utility.
However, by comparison, the $90 Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur is arguably the priciest mount ever offered through the in-game store. While some players might celebrate its affordability, others, especially those who spent years trying to obtain the original mount, may feel disappointed. Many could have converted their hard-earned gold into Blizzard balance and purchased several games instead.
This unexpected move has stirred mixed feelings; some may interpret it as a cash grab, while others could argue that releasing it back as a vendor item for the original price might have generated more revenue as players pursue WoW Tokens.
The Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur will be available as an exclusive in-game mount until January 6, 2025.
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