Gryphon rider

Not to be confused with Gryphon Rider (character boost).

Gryphon Chris Robinson — Gryphon rider by Chris Robinson.

Gryphon riders (also spelled gryphonrider and gryphon-riders)^[1] are windriders who serve as air support in the armies of the Alliance's nations. Most of them are dwarves of the Wildhammer clan, known to wield deadly stormhammers and to have a special bond with their gryphon mounts, but recently Ironforge dwarves and humans alike have started deploying gryphon riders of their own.

A group of gryphon riders is called a gryphon wing.^[2] They are often under the guidance of a wing commander, which is sometimes stationed on the ground near their target area.^[3]

Gryphon riders typically need an harness to properly control their mount. A saddle is preferred though optional, as some dwarves are known to ride without.^[4]

First War[]

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

At the times of the First War, dwarves had trained and loaned out two gryphons to Medivh, who himself expertly used the beasts in his Guardian duties.^[5] A dwarven gryphon rider was also known to reach the tower of Karazhan twice a week to act as a courier between the mage and the outside world.^[6]

During the assault against Karazhan, no less than six flights of gryphon riders departed from Stormwind Keep, among which were Khadgar, Garona, Anduin Lothar and some of his men. Khadgar was unaware that there were this many trained gryphons in the world, much less Stormwind, and surmised that Lothar had talked with the dwarves.^[7]

Second War[]

This section concerns content related to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness or its expansion Beyond the Dark Portal.

Main article: Gryphon Rider (Warcraft II)

From the ominous and foreboding peaks of Northeron came the dwarven gryphon riders. Mounted upon their legendary beasts and wielding the mystic stormhammers forged deep within the secret chambers of their aviaries, these feral dwarves feared no enemy - and relied upon no friend. They had allied themselves only with the elves of Quel'Thalas, distrusting both their dwarven cousins and the humans alike. When the call to battle was sounded, however, they could be counted upon to fight alongside any who opposed the Horde.^[8]

Gryphon rider unit in Warcraft II.
Sprite of the gryphon rider unit's stormhammer attack in flight.
Gryphon rider from the Second War sinking a Horde oil tanker.
Gryphon rider from the Second War fighting a dragon.
Gryphon rider from the Second War.
Kurdran gryphon rider hero in Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal.

Third War[]

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

Main article: Gryphon Rider (Warcraft III)

The daring dwarves of the Wildhammer clan had responded once again to the call and brought the mighty gryphons of the Aerie Peaks to aid the Alliance in its time of need. Armed with their trusty, lightning-powered stormhammers, the fearless wilddwarves sought to keep the skies of Lordaeron free from enemy forces. The proud gryphons shared their riders' implacable resolve and stood as noble symbols of the Alliance's fortitude.^[9]

Gryphon rider unit in Warcraft III.
Reforged unit icon.
Gryphon rider unit in Reforged.

World of Warcraft[]

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Gryphons over Azeroth — Gryphon riders over Azeroth.

Though gryphon rider characters already existed in the original release of World of Warcraft, it is only with the The Burning Crusade expansion pack that flying mounts and the mechanics for flying NPCs were added. Special town guards able to counter flying adventurers also had to be created. In Outland, all of the Alliance villages were protected by the same Gryphon Rider Guards from the Wildhammer clan.

The Roughnecks are human gryphon tamers and riders on Kul Tiras that are taught and led by Boss Tak, a Wildhammer dwarf. The Roughnecks provide all gryphon mounts for Kul Tiras.^[10]

During the Fourth War, Wildhammer gryphon riders patrolled Darrowmere River.^[11]

Notable[]

Types[]

WoWGryphonRider — A Gryphon Rider Guard in Outland.

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

In the RPG[]

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Gryphon riders are the air power of the Alliance, the men who fly through the air and risk their lives in an aerial blitzkrieg. To a man (or woman), they describe their job as the most exhilarating in the Alliance. Wearing a breastplate and a jaunty leather cap, the stout, friendly Wildhammer dwarf stays close to his steed. In combat, the gryphon rider's tactics are surprisingly similar to those of normal cavalry; they charge in, strike a blow, and get out before the opponent can launch a counterattack. As one gryphon rider puts it: "If they've got no spellcasters or missile troops, battle's a picnic." They usually use an axe as a weapon, and they are never without their stormhammers.^[12]

Gryphon riders are usually of the windrider and windwarrior classes.