The Onyx Netherwing Drake still has a lot of collector appeal because it sits in that sweet spot between grindy, recognizable, and genuinely stylish. It shares the unmistakable Netherwing silhouette, but the dark onyx color gives it a cleaner, more intimidating look than the brighter faction variants. For players who like mounts that feel earned rather than handed out, this one still lands well.
It is also the kind of mount that keeps its value because the acquisition path is tied to a long reputation grind in Outland, not a quick one-off farm. That means you are not just rolling dice and hoping for a lucky drop. You are committing to a classic collector grind that many players still remember clearly, for better or worse.
Quick Answer
The Onyx Netherwing Drake is a reputation reward mount from World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. You obtain it by raising your standing with the Netherwing faction in Shadowmoon Valley and then purchasing the mount once you reach the required reputation. It is still obtainable in retail WoW, and collectors continue to pursue it because it is a distinctive drake tied to one of the more memorable classic reputation grinds.
It is not a random drop mount. The main challenge is the time investment needed to reach the correct reputation tier. That makes it less about luck and more about consistency, which many collectors actually prefer.
Mount Overview
The Onyx Netherwing Drake uses the same broad Netherwing drake model as the other faction-color variants, but the black-and-onyx color palette gives it a sharper, more premium look. It is one of those mounts that still stands out in a crowded collection because the coloration feels clean and aggressive without being overly flashy.
From a collector perspective, the appeal is straightforward:
- Expansion: The Burning Crusade
- Source type: Reputation reward
- Mount family: Drake
- Theme: Shadowmoon Valley, Netherwing faction, dragon-style collection
- Availability: Still obtainable
It is part of the broader Netherwing mount set, which is especially popular with players who like collecting complete color variants. If you enjoy matching mounts across a faction or theme, this one fits neatly alongside the rest of the lineup.
How to Get Onyx Netherwing Drake
You get the Onyx Netherwing Drake by progressing the Netherwing reputation grind in Shadowmoon Valley and purchasing the mount from the appropriate vendor once you qualify. The exact reputation threshold can vary depending on the specific mount version and vendor availability, so it is worth checking your faction panel and the vendor after each reputation increase rather than assuming it unlocks at the same point as every other Netherwing reward.
In practical terms, the process is simple but time-consuming:
- Go to Shadowmoon Valley in Outland.
- Unlock the Netherwing faction through the quest chain there.
- Raise reputation by completing Netherwing dailies and repeatable objectives.
- Reach the required reputation tier.
- Purchase the Onyx Netherwing Drake from the vendor once it becomes available.
The reputation grind is the real gate. This is not a mount you usually get through a quick alt run or a single weekly lockout. You need to keep at it until the faction tier opens the purchase option.
How the Netherwing grind works
The Netherwing reputation path is built around a classic Burning Crusade-style progression. You start by working through the introductory quest chain in Shadowmoon Valley, then move into repeatable reputation sources. Those sources generally include daily quests, gathering-related tasks, and faction-specific objectives that open up as you progress.
Because the mount is tied to reputation rather than a combat drop, your main concern is efficiency. The faster you complete available dailies and unlock additional reputation sources, the sooner you reach the purchase threshold.
What kind of player should expect the grind?
This is a good target for collectors who do not mind structured repetition. If you enjoy checking off a daily route and watching a reputation bar move steadily, the Onyx Netherwing Drake is a solid investment. If you dislike reputation grinds entirely, the visual payoff may still justify the effort, but the process will feel slower than a pure drop farm.
Location
The entire acquisition path is centered in Shadowmoon Valley in Outland. That is where the Netherwing faction story and reputation work take place. The vendor and most related quest hubs are tied to that zone, so there is no need to spread out across other continents unless you are also using alts or broader leveling routes to prepare for the grind.
For modern players, the important part is simply getting to Outland, heading into Shadowmoon Valley, and locating the Netherwing quest chain and daily hubs. Once the faction is active, the rest of the process stays localized.
Requirements
There are a few practical requirements to keep in mind before you start:
- Access to Outland: You need to be able to travel to Shadowmoon Valley.
- Netherwing faction unlock: The faction must be opened through the relevant quest chain.
- Reputation progression: The mount becomes available only after reaching the correct standing.
- Gold: You need enough gold to buy the mount once it is unlocked.
There is no raid group requirement, no random drop dependency, and no special event window. That makes the mount straightforward to plan for, even if the grind itself is lengthy.
Farming Tips
Since this is a reputation mount, “farming” really means optimizing the rep grind. You are not camping a spawn point, but you still want to save time wherever possible.
Prioritize unlocking the daily loop early
The faster you open every available Netherwing daily, the smoother the whole grind becomes. Early quest progression often pays off more than trying to brute-force reputation through a single objective. Make sure you are not leaving easy daily reputation on the table.
Do the grind on a class with good movement
Speed matters more than raw power here. A character with strong mobility, flight convenience, or simple route efficiency will complete the repetitive objectives faster. Over the span of many daily resets, that adds up.
Use alts if you enjoy the zone
If you are collecting more than one Netherwing variant or also want other Outland reputation rewards, alts can make the route feel more worthwhile. That said, this is still a reputation-specific grind, so do not expect account-wide progress unless you are earning separate reputation on each character.
Check for bonus reputation opportunities
Whenever WoW offers reputation bonuses, those can shorten the grind considerably. If you are planning the Onyx Netherwing Drake around a bonus event, that is the best time to make serious progress. Since exact event timing changes, it is worth checking your calendar and current in-game bonuses before committing to a push.
Do not overcomplicate the route
This is one of those classic grinds that rewards consistency more than creativity. A clean daily circuit, a little patience, and a reasonable gold budget are usually enough. The real time sink is repetition, not difficulty.
Is This Mount Still Obtainable?
Yes, the Onyx Netherwing Drake is still obtainable. It has not been removed, retired, or locked behind a limited-time promotion. Players can still work through the Netherwing reputation path and purchase it once the requirements are met.
That alone makes it an easy recommendation for collectors who like permanent goals. Even if you do not plan to finish the grind immediately, it is the kind of mount you can come back to later without worrying that it disappeared from the game.
Is It Worth Farming?
For many collectors, yes. The Onyx Netherwing Drake has a strong value proposition because it is both visually distinct and reliably obtainable. You are trading time and effort for a mount that still looks good years after The Burning Crusade, and that is usually a fair exchange.
What makes it worthwhile:
- Clean appearance: The onyx color remains one of the stronger Netherwing looks.
- Guaranteed progress: Reputation grinds are predictable compared to random drops.
- Collector status: It fits into a well-known and respected mount set.
- Long-term appeal: It has not been power-crept by convenience alone.
The downside is obvious. It takes work. If you strongly prefer instant rewards, this will feel like a chore. But if you collect mounts because you like a visible sense of commitment, the Onyx Netherwing Drake is absolutely worth the time.
Collection Value
The Onyx Netherwing Drake has solid collection value because it hits several collector priorities at once: recognizable model, strong color variant, and a permanent source. Mount collectors often chase color completeness, and this drake is one of the better-looking members of the Netherwing family.
Its value is not based on extreme rarity in the modern sense. Instead, it comes from effort, theme cohesion, and the fact that it still feels like a proper earned reward. That combination tends to age well. Players who like Outland-era collection goals will continue to care about it, especially if they are chasing the full Netherwing set.
Similar Mounts
If you are collecting the Onyx Netherwing Drake, these related mounts are worth considering next:
- Azure Netherwing Drake: A great match if you want the full Netherwing color set and prefer a brighter drake.
- Cobalt Netherwing Drake: Another Netherwing variant that appeals to collectors trying to complete the faction lineup.
- Veridian Netherwing Drake: Strong choice if you like the same model but want a more distinct color palette.
- Onyxian Drake: Not the same source, but it scratches a similar black-drake collector itch.
- Twilight Drake: A good pickup for players who like dark dragon mounts with prestige value.
Players who enjoy this mount usually also enjoy other dragon-model collections. If that sounds like you, the Netherwing set is one of the better rabbit holes in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get the Onyx Netherwing Drake in retail WoW?
Yes. It remains obtainable through the Netherwing reputation grind in Shadowmoon Valley.
Is the Onyx Netherwing Drake a drop mount?
No. It is a reputation reward, not a random drop.
Do I need to raid for this mount?
No. The mount comes from faction progression and a vendor purchase, so raids are not part of the process.
Can I farm the reputation on an alt?
Yes, but reputation is character-specific. Your progress is not shared across characters.
Is this mount rare?
It is not rare in the same way as a low-drop raid mount, but it does have collector value because the grind takes time and effort.
How long does it take to get?
That depends on how much daily reputation you can complete and whether any reputation bonuses are active. Expect a multi-day to multi-week grind rather than a quick farm.
Does the Onyx Netherwing Drake require a group?
No. The reputation path is designed for solo progress.
Is the mount account-wide once learned?
Yes. Like other mounts, once you learn it on one character, it is available across your account for eligible characters.
Final Thoughts
The Onyx Netherwing Drake remains a worthwhile collection target because it combines a strong silhouette with a dependable acquisition path. It is not the easiest mount to earn, but that is part of its appeal. The grind is old-school, the reward is still visually sharp, and the result feels earned in a way many collectors appreciate.
If you enjoy reputation mounts and want a drake that still looks good in any collection tab, this is an easy one to keep on your list. For players building out a serious Netherwing set, it is one of the core mounts to prioritize.
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