Feldon 
Leapers and Gliders have come to EQ2 as per Today’s Update Notes., taking advantage of a tremendous effort by the EQ2 animators and programmers to allow mounts to be more quickly added to the game. With the “killer app” of flying mounts at level 86, we’ve been wondering if something would be done about the hodgepodge array of mounts at lower levels. During the week where we could have free flying mounts on all our characters, I certainly took the opportunity to knock out a bunch of quests that would have easily taken twice as long to complete on foot.
Leapers and Gliders
So let’s take a look at the new mounts.
As previously reported, Leapers are mounts which are able to jump very high, and glide for a reasonable distance. They are available at level 30 via either an Adventure or Tradeskill quest, or via the Marketplace. Gliders are mounts which are able to not only jump a remarkable height, but then glide a great distance, possibly across entire zones. They are available at level 60, also via either Adventure or Tradeskill quests.
What’s important to note here is that unlike the 5 day “waiting period” for flying mounts, Leaper and Glider mounts can be acquired through a quest that only takes about 20 minutes.
The Leaper mount quest is given in the Butcherblock Mountains not too far from the Griffon Tower at the top of the ramp. The Adventure version of the quest awards a Scaled Mountain Saliraptor (Sali- is a latin prefix meaning to spring or leap forward). The Tradeskill version of the quest awards a Horned Mountain Saliraptor. The astoundingly fast Cyliena already has Quest Writeups for the Leaper mounts at EQ2 ZAM.
Leaper Mount (Butcherblock Mountains) @ level 30:
- Adventurers: Saldas Rubbleground
- Tradeskillers: Ellerith Groundspark
The Glider mount meanwhile is given in Tenebrous Tangle at the Breeding Grounds. The Adventure quest awards a Tamed Wind Komodo. The Tradeskill quest awards a Bridled Wind Komodo. Quest Writeups for the Glider Mount quests are already online courtesy Cyliena of EQ2 ZAM.
Glider Mount (Tenebrous Tangle) @ level 60:
- Adventurers: Ferwah Shieldwall
- Tradeskillers: Darga Fleetpaw
StationCash Mounts
If questing for a mount, even a short20 minute quest as these, puts a cramp in your style, or you want to have something “Premium”, look no further than the StationCash Marketplace. At press time, there are two Leaper mounts available for 1950SC ($19.50).
Personally, I think this is one case where the in-game quested mounts got the better end of the deal looks-wise, but taste is just that, personal, and no doubt the StationCash versions will fly off the shelves!
Neat. Thanks for the informative post. If you can post some “in-action” shots after they go live that would be great too. I’d like to see a high jump (maybe next to something tall for height) and what the glider wings look like.
Nevermind, I found action shots earlier on your site, here: https://eq2wire.com/2011/06/08/eq2-gets-serious-about-mount-options-leapers-gliders/
Now to see if a certain burr that got placed in SmokeJumper’s ear about Fae/Arasi invisi-mounts gets implemented. Not like they have to do a lot of art asset work for -that-… 😀
So now ground/leaping/gliding mounts move faster than fliers. Okay, it’s a tradeoff, a decision you have to make, that’s great if you ask me. But the option to remain unmounted has been shoved yet further into unrealistic territory.
I think mounts in general are ugly. And most illusions don’t work when mounted. The reason every character of mine is a master crafter is so that I could get the Earring of the Solstice and move at a decent pace without giving up the option of playing an illusion race (gnoll, droag, etc.) or riding around on something that I feel is unattractive.
Flying mounts took away those options, and these changes make it even worse. But I guess options aren’t really what EQ2 is big on these days.
I think they are charging too much sc for the market leapers, IMO. IF I were going to spend $20 on a mount, it would be for a pegasus.
There is a bug where flying mounts no longer glide in cities.
Claviarm, are you kidding me … “I guess options aren’t really what EQ2 is big on these days.”
You have an option. Be slow and unmounted. I have a feeling you are an example of one of those never satisfied people.
Personally having people run around at Benny Hill speeds doesn’t look good in the game.
If you want to go fast ride a mount, that certainly fits in well with the world.
*Only* 20 minutes? That’s a long quest.
@Murfalad: I’d say Benny Hill running is an issue for the animation guy to fix, rather than a reason to restrict appearance options. Until recently, bards were able to run faster than mounts, it seemed to fit in just fine. *shrug*
I just noticed, the StationCash mounts have slightly higher ground speeds than the non-SC mounts, 135% vs. 130%…
The leaper quest only took me like 5 minutes but I did it at 90 and skipped the dialogue lol, it’s a very short quest either way.
these mounts give me a headache 🙁 I hate them and yes I mean a real headache not just the word 🙁
Only issue I’m having is the Glider mount. My “normal” turning setting in Options still turns the glider too fast. Imagine going from 0 to 90 with just a touch; extremely annoying (and disorienting on an empty stomach :D).
@hurr: Flying mounts aren’t optional. There are quests and an entire set of heroic instances that can’t be reached without them. And that’s only going to become more common as new content is released.
@Claviarm
Yes, they are still optional. You can choose to not get one and not access certain content that needs a flying mount to get to. Just because you may not like the options or choices presented to you doesnt negate the fact that the options and choices are still available to you.
the whole thing is so lame, i m sad that happen to everquest, probably the badest mistake they have ever done.
all mount with same stats, it’s like having all weapon of the game with same rating, something impossible for a game not lead by archi noob. No way a responssible validate this.
Lathiain,
Is there no limit to your trolling?
If the mounts had different stats, you’d be complaining that they should all be the same. And you complain loudest that SC mounts have stats. Get a grip.
No i complain all mount have same run speed, it’s exactly same than having all one hand weapon with same Damage rating.
If you dont understand EQ, no need to say i m trolling… play more and write less.
Lathain is a troll plain and simple. Always always always always complaining. Best just to ignore his posts here and on the official forums.
Steve, I did that many moons ago…and I apparently LOVE to complain, myself. 🙂
tell me what’s a kerra supposed to ride? these mounts are silly looking.