White feathers and plated riding gear give the Armored Snowy Gryphon a distinctly Northrend-era Alliance presence. It looks like a substantial reward, but collecting it requires a vendor visit rather than a raid achievement.

The useful distinction is where to shop: Mei Francis in the old floating Dalaran is the source. A regular gryphon seller in Stormwind will not supply this particular armored mount.

Quick Answer

Buy Armored Snowy Gryphon, item 44689, from Mei Francis in Dalaran above Crystalsong Forest, Northrend. She stands around 58.0, 42.0. The base price is 2,000 gold; Kirin Tor reputation discounts can reduce it to 1,600 gold at Exalted.

Use an Alliance character, buy the item, and learn it from your bags. The mount is still obtainable in Retail. Exalted reputation is an optional discount, not a purchase requirement.

Mount Overview

The gryphon belongs to Wrath of the Lich King’s vendor mount collection. Its snowy plumage and blue-toned armor supply a more heavily equipped look than a standard Snowy Gryphon.

This is a flying-capable Alliance mount. It can also use its applicable ground movement, but its armor does not provide defensive stats or service NPCs. The purchase is for an appearance and collection entry.

Do not confuse it with the ordinary Snowy Gryphon. The two have different vendors and prices, and the cheaper basic bird cannot be upgraded into this one through a saddle item.

How to Get Armored Snowy Gryphon

Reach Northrend’s Dalaran

Travel to Dalaran above Crystalsong Forest using an available portal, flight route, or direct flight. This is the Wrath-era city in Northrend, which provides a clear destination for the purchase.

Other versions of Dalaran appear in different expansions and story sequences. If a travel item sends you into another version or a current campaign scenario, that does not mean the original Northrend vendor mount has disappeared.

Find Mei Francis near the pet shop

Mei Francis, the Exotic Mounts merchant, stands around 58.0, 42.0, near the Magical Menagerie area. Speak to her and open the mount inventory.

She sells more than this gryphon. Mammoths and other collectibles in the same shop have different prices and restrictions, so check the selected item before confirming a transaction.

Purchase and learn the correct mount

Select Armored Snowy Gryphon. Bring 2,000 gold to cover the base cost, or inspect your displayed discounted price if you already have Kirin Tor reputation.

After the purchase, use the item from your bags. Look for the mount in the journal on an eligible Alliance character. No follow-up quest, boss kill, or achievement turn-in completes the unlock afterward.

Requirements and Reputation Discounts

The meaningful requirements are an eligible Alliance purchaser, access to the merchant, the gold, and ordinary riding conditions. You do not need a profession, raid clear, PvP rank, or specific class.

Mei’s discount is tied to Kirin Tor. At Exalted, the standard 20% reduction brings 2,000 gold down to 1,600. Lower standing can provide smaller discounts, but the vendor does not require you to earn Exalted before buying.

If you already have the reputation, use it. If you do not, decide whether saving up to 400 gold justifies a separate faction project. There is no need to delay the mount simply because a guide mentions the cheapest possible price.

Old level 70 or Artisan Riding instructions refer to the original expansion’s rules. Current Retail riding progression and the location’s flight permissions determine how the learned mount can be used.

Farming Tips: Finish the Purchase Efficiently

There is no drop chance or reset to manage. Take an Alliance character with the required gold and a convenient Dalaran travel option. Learning one copy supplies the account collection for eligible Alliance characters.

Search for the full name before buying. If you only check for “Snowy Gryphon,” you may see the ordinary version and incorrectly assume you already own the armored one.

When combining purchases at Mei Francis, make a missing-mount list first. A passenger mammoth, a ground bear, and this flying gryphon are independent items; one does not act as a prerequisite or discount token for another.

Remember the difference between learning a flying mount and unlocking flight in a zone. The gryphon will not override no-flying restrictions or missing character riding progression.

Is It Still Obtainable?

Yes. The Armored Snowy Gryphon remains a regular Retail gold vendor mount. Wrath Timewalking is not required, and the mount does not rotate through the Trading Post.

Its Alliance restriction still applies after learning. Account-wide collection does not mean the same appearance can be summoned by every Horde character.

Is It Worth Buying?

For Alliance collectors who like traditional gryphons, it offers a clear visual step toward heavier equipment at a fixed price. The acquisition is predictable, and an existing Kirin Tor discount is a useful bonus.

My verdict is to buy it for the snowy armored look. It is not proof of a difficult raid clear, but it does not need to be: the appearance stands on its own.

Who Should Prioritize This Mount

Characters wearing blue, silver, or winter-themed equipment are obvious candidates. It also suits someone building an expansion-based favorites list and wanting a Wrath gryphon that does not require repeated boss attempts.

Similar Mounts

• Snowy Gryphon: the simpler, ordinary white gryphon from regular Alliance flying-mount vendors.
• Swift Blue Gryphon: another classic Alliance flyer with a different riding presentation.
• Grand Armored Gryphon: a separate Pandaria reputation reward for collectors who prefer a more elaborate war gryphon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the recommended vendor?

Mei Francis in Northrend Dalaran, around 58.0, 42.0.

Do I need Kirin Tor Exalted?

No. It lowers the price but is not required to buy.

What is the full base cost?

2,000 gold, before reputation discounts.

How much is it at Exalted?

Normally 1,600 gold with the Kirin Tor discount.

Can Horde characters use this gryphon?

No. The equivalent Horde theme is Armored Blue Wind Rider.

Does the regular Snowy Gryphon turn into this one?

No. They are independent collection entries.

Is a Timewalking event necessary?

No. This is ordinary vendor inventory.

Can I learn it once for Alliance alts?

Yes. Eligible Alliance characters share the learned collection unlock.

Final Thoughts

Make a trip to Mei Francis, check your price, and learn the armored gryphon item. The appearance is the reward; the reputation discount is optional preparation.