When Guild Wars 2 added mounts in Path of Fire, it changed the paradigm of in-game exploration. End of Dragons continues what its predecessor started, and has provided additional ways for players to unlock some of the first mounts from Path of Fire, including the springer – the second mount available to Guild Wars 2 players.
While the springer is not the fastest mount, its ability to make massive vertical leaps is invaluable to exploration, and enables players to reach many vistas, Mastery points, and hero challenges that are otherwise impossible to reach. While originally earned during Path of Fire, End of Dragons has a new way to unlock the springer. Completing either objective unlocks the springer for all characters.
Unlocking the Springer Mount in Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire
The original method of unlocking the springer mount requires the Path of Fire expansion. The springer is unlocked by completing the Renown Heart objectives at Highjump Ranch, located in the northern section of the Desert Highlands.
However, the gap to enter the valley where the ranch resides is too wide clear without the use of a raptor mount with the Canyon Jumping mastery, or with clever solutions like a friend teleport or by riding in another’s siege turtle – the new tandem mount in End of Dragons.
The Path of Fire story naturally brings players to this area during Chapter 4, where the springer helps players collect crystals scattered across the desert, but this mount can be unlocked early.
Once at the Highjump Ranch, simply complete the Renown Heart by finishing the following tasks:
- Defeat harpies and destroy their eggs
- Clear groundhogs from the gardens
- Feed and water the springers
Once completed, the springer saddle can be purchased from Stablemaster Unja, the Renown Heart vendor, for 50 Trade Contracts and 1 gold.
Unlocking the Springer Mount in Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons
The new method for players springing into End of Dragons is similar to the original – a Renown Heart vendor in the second zone of the expansion holds the reins.
Lieutenant Zhao of the East Precinct is located in New Kaineng on the far east side of the map, in an area called Grub Lane.
Complete the Renown Heart objectives by doing the following:
- Stomp on Risen grubs across the ward
- Battle purists hidden within the neighborhood
- Return Eye of the Ocean artifacts to shrines
Afterward, Lieutenant Zhao will hand over the springer mount for 50 Imperial Favors and 1 gold.
There are a few catches with this method, however.
First, the springer Mastery track still requires Path of Fire, meaning those who do not have it cannot train their springer to improve its jump height, add a knockdown to its Cannonball attack, or reduce its fall damage. Additionally, players cannot reach New Kaineng until Chapter 5 in End of Dragons – the area is off-limits until a certain point in the story.
For these reasons, only players who do not have Path of Fire should unlock the springer using this method.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons is available now on PC.