The Alliance Armored Brown Bear looks ready for a long ride through Northrend rather than a royal procession. Its broad frame and heavy fittings give it a convincing expedition feel, especially under a mail or plate-wearing rider.

It is a pleasant collection target because the source is guaranteed. There is no bear to tame, no faction leader to kill, and no dungeon boss to revisit every day.

Quick Answer

Purchase the Alliance Reins of the Armored Brown Bear, item 44225, from Mei Francis in Northrend Dalaran for 750 gold base. Use the reins to learn the ground mount. Kirin Tor reputation can reduce the price, normally to 600 gold at Exalted, but no Exalted standing is required to buy it. The mount remains obtainable on Retail.

Mount Overview

This Wrath of the Lich King vendor mount uses a brown bear with substantial riding armor. Alliance and Horde have corresponding versions with faction-appropriate fittings; this entry covers the Alliance collectible, learned through spell 60114.

It is a normal personal ground mount. The magical explanation in the flavor text does not give it flight, merchant services, a passenger seat, or a special speed tier beyond normal riding rules.

The appeal is an armored bear without a random loot source. It is distinct from Black War Bear, which belongs to the faction-leader achievement reward system, and from rare or promotional bear mounts with similar body shapes.

How to Buy the Alliance Bear

Use an eligible Alliance character and prepare 750 gold to cover the undiscounted cost. Travel to the version of Dalaran above Crystalsong Forest in Northrend and find Mei Francis, the Exotic Mounts merchant.

Open her stock, locate Reins of the Armored Brown Bear, and inspect the faction and collected status. Purchase the Alliance reins and use them from your inventory. The mount then appears in your collection, with the associated Armored Brown Bear achievement awarded when its collection condition is met.

There is no follow-up quest from Mei. You do not need a hunter, a captured bear, a particular profession, or completion of a Northrend raid. The item is the final unlock.

If an old character already has the mount, another purchase does not create another entry. Check the journal and the merchant tooltip before paying, especially on an account with characters on both factions.

Location: Northrend Dalaran

Mei Francis stands outdoors near The Magical Menagerie, around 58, 42 on the Dalaran city map. The relevant city is the Northrend Dalaran associated with Crystalsong Forest, not the Broken Isles version used during Legion.

Reach Northrend through an available travel route and enter the city. If using a mage portal, ask specifically for Northrend Dalaran rather than relying on the name alone. A mage's city portal and an old crater portal are not equivalent arrival points.

Once in the correct city, the merchant trip is short. Search the outdoor area beside the pet shop rather than expecting Mei to be inside a stable or at a flightmaster's taxi window.

Requirements and Discounts

The basic purchase conditions are Alliance eligibility, enough gold, and access to Mei's merchant service. Normal riding eligibility applies to using the learned mount.

Kirin Tor Exalted is a discount condition, not a mandatory access gate. At the ordinary 20 percent Exalted discount, 750 gold becomes 600. If you already have that reputation, use the saving; do not postpone a small vendor purchase because you believe a full reputation grind is compulsory.

Original level and paid riding-tier instructions belong to older character progression. They should not be treated as an additional current quest chain specific to this bear.

The faction distinction remains meaningful after collection. Shared account ownership does not simply make the Alliance version usable by every Horde character. Inspect the appropriate faction entry if checking from the other side.

Efficient Collection Tips

This is a shopping trip rather than a farm. Prepare the gold on the buyer, verify the correct Dalaran, and learn the reins. There is no weekly lockout or drop percentage to optimize.

Browse Mei's other mounts while you are there, but keep the individual purchase requirements separate. A bear, an armored gryphon, and a utility mammoth do not all share the same price or function just because the merchant is the same.

A 150-gold difference between base and ordinary Exalted price is usually too small to justify a dedicated reputation project solely for this mount. If you are also planning expensive Northrend purchases, calculate those separately rather than turning the bear into a larger grind than necessary.

Is It Still Obtainable?

Yes. The Alliance Armored Brown Bear remains a regular Retail gold-vendor reward. It is not a holiday rotation, seasonal arena mount, or limited promotional entitlement.

There is also no requirement to complete For the Alliance! before shopping. That achievement awards a different bear, so using its faction-leader checklist here sends a collector down the wrong route.

Collection Value

The bear is a good purchase for players who want a rugged armored animal at a modest fixed cost. Its older model is less detailed than newer bears, but the practical saddle and restrained effects can be an advantage for a traveling adventurer look.

Similar Mounts

• Black War Bear offers a separate faction-leader achievement goal.
• Darkmoon Dancing Bear supplies a carnival-themed alternative.
• White Polar Bear is a different Northrend collection project.
• Armored Snowy Gryphon gives an Alliance rider a flying-capable purchase from Mei's broader selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alliance item number?

Item 44225 teaches the Alliance Armored Brown Bear.

Does it require Kirin Tor Exalted?

No. Reputation lowers the gold price but is not required for purchase.

Why do guides list 600 and 750 gold?

Seven hundred fifty is the base price; 600 is the ordinary Exalted-discount price.

Which Dalaran contains the merchant?

Use Northrend Dalaran above Crystalsong Forest.

Is it the For the Alliance! reward?

No. That reward is Black War Bear.

Does the bear fly?

No. This is a ground mount.

Do I need to tame it first?

No. Purchase and use the reins directly.

Is the Horde version the same faction entry?

There is a corresponding Horde version; check the faction-specific collectible rather than assuming unrestricted use.

Final Thoughts

The Alliance bear is a dependable Northrend vendor pickup. Bring the gold to Mei Francis in the correct Dalaran, learn the reins, and enjoy the armored expedition look without an unnecessary reputation or achievement detour.