Raptor

Raptor
Various raptor appearances
Classification	Dinosaur
Racial leader(s)	Gonk (Loa)
Homeworld	Azeroth, Draenor, Outland
Environment	Caves, deserts, forests, islands, jungles, savannas, swamps, taigas
Area(s)	Arathi Highlands, Barrens, Blade's Edge Mountains, Durotar, Dustwallow Marsh, Gorgrond, Lost Isles, Stranglethorn Vale, Un'Goro Crater, Wailing Caverns, Wetlands, Zandalar, Zul'Drak
Organization(s)	Packs

“Raptors are as loyal as they are vicious. If you ain't friend, you are food.”

— Kijara

Raptors are a type of predatory dinosaurs and one of the most iconic beasts of the Warcraft universe. They can be found both in Azeroth and Outland, as well as Draenor.

They are superb hunting beasts that can track prey over great distances and are often lethal to encounter when caught unawares. They hunt in packs.

Azeroth raptors

 [Savage Raptor] in the TCG.

“They are lethal at eight months, very lethal.”

— Hemet Nesingwary Jr.

A Zandalari troll on a raptor fighting a pandaren on a cloud serpent during the Zandalari Troll Wars.

Raptors are large, aggressive theropods (this means, they stand upright on two large hind legs in a bird-like fashion). Raptors are found in Arathi Highlands, the Barrens, Blade's Edge Mountains, Durotar, Dustwallow Marsh, Gorgrond, Lost Isles, Nazmir, Stranglethorn Vale, Un'Goro Crater, Vol'dun, Wailing Caverns, Wetlands, Zuldazar and Zul'Drak. Raptors seem to be very intelligent for beasts. They wear feathers and beads, and in the Barrens (where the smartest raptors are said to dwell) they have a settlement of mud huts decorated with bone ornaments called Raptor Grounds. Evidently, raptor hatchlings can be so vicious as to eviscerate an entire adult cow in less than ten seconds. Raptors make for good eating if one doesn't mind gamey meat.

The raptors of Raptor Ridge once joined forces with Rhonin in the struggle against Sintharia at Grim Batol.

Among the Explorers' League, there are those who believe that birds are descended from dinosaurs such as an extinct type of raptor that had feathered arms. The feathers suggest some kind of missing link between the two different kinds of animals.

Legends tell of a spell placed upon a hunting raptor who dared to snarl at young Tyrande Whisperwind as she bathed in a jungle pool. The beast is cursed to wander Azeroth - until it apologizes.

During the War Against the Nightmare, of the animal portion of the dreamform army, many were in part herded by the more sentient, reptilian raptors.

A jungle troll and his raptor.

Relation with trollkind

“When ya fight alongside raptors, ya want a mount dey can't eat.”

— Unknown dinomancer

Longtime allies of the trolls, these jungle hunters form a special bond with their masters. They become steed, guardian, and friend. Speed, cunning and ferocity are the things trolls and raptors admire about each other. They have spread to nearly all of the lands of Azeroth. It is uncertain whether the trolls led them or followed them. The first tamer of raptors was King Dazar, founder of the Zandalari Empire.

Since the dawn of the trolls they have hunted with raptors and used a variety of raptors as mounts. A troll and his raptor are more than just friendship — it is a bond of blood, as both of them need each other. Usually it takes many years to form this kind of bond. A beast caller with a good sturdy raptor commands a lot of respect. Raptors take naturally to the spirits due to their high intelligence.

The savage ferocity of Kalimdor's raptors has enthralled the Darkspear trolls since their arrival. They consider a raptor to be the truest form of a hunter, and as such, the tamed  [Darkspear Raptor] is their mount of choice. A tamed raptor is truly a fearsome beast, as a skilled troll is able to channel the reptilian steed's savagery to suit the rider's will. A tamed raptor is also one of the most auspicious signs of status amongst the trolls; many have died trying to tame these swift and deadly hunter beasts, and to possess one indicates great station. The Darkspear raptor was originally bred by the Drakkari, but has since been cultivated by the Darkspear tribe in Northrend.

Compies are a type of small, raptor-like creatures that are considered vermin by the Zandalari trolls.

Gonk is a raptor loa. He is the one who taught the Darkspear tribe how to be druids.

The Gurubashi

Razzashi raptors are among the cleverest predators in the jungle, making them favored by the Gurubashi trolls. The only known Razzashi Raptors were said to have been in the custody of Bloodlord Mandokir in Zul'Gurub. This species of raptor has not been seen in many years. The purebred royal raptors of Zul'Gurub, these mounts have become a rare sight in Stranglethorn Vale. The Gurubashi have been known to fly into a rage at the sight of any non-troll riding one of their precious beasts.

The black war raptor is bred from the same vicious line that sired Ohgan and brought victory to the Gurubashi Empire.

Notable

A riding raptor in the TCG.

•  Avis (rare)
• Bloodclaw
•  Butcher
•  Chiyu
•  Chupacabros (rare)
•  Dart (rare)
•  Fez
•  Gon
•  Gonk, the raptor loa
•  Goreclaw the Ravenous
•  Ishamuhale (removed)
•  King Reaperclaw
•  Nychus (rare)
•  Ohgan'aka
•   Raptor
•  Razormaw Matriarch (rare)
•  Rek'tor <Colin O'Rourke's Pet>>
•  Ruby
•  Saurix (rare)
•  Screamslash
•  Subject Four
•  Subject Nine
•  Swiftclaw
•  Takk the Leaper (rare)
•  Tan'shang
•  Tenjiyu
•  Tenok (rare)
•  Teraptor Matriarch
•  Tethis
•  Tian-kuyi
•  Zikk

Packs and species

• Bloodfen - Bloodfen Raptor, Lashtail, Razormaw and Screecher
• Bloodtalon - Bloodtalon Raptor, Hatchling, Thrasher, Scythemaw, Taillasher and Corrupted Scythemaw. Some of them have been stolen by Naj'tess and turned into Corrupted Bloodtalons
• Deviate - Creeper, Guardian, Ravager, Slayer and Stalker
• Goblin experiment - Experimental Raptor and Nine's Baby Raptors
• Highland - Highland Raptor, Fleshstalker, Lashtail, Razormaw, Scytheclaw, Strider and Thrasher
• Jungle - Stalker and Young Stalker
• Lashtail - Lashtail Raptor and Young Raptor
• Mottled - Mottled Raptor, Screecher and Scytheclaw
• Razormaw - Elder and Mottled
• Spiny - Spiny Raptor
• Sunscale - Sunscale Raptor, Consort, Lashtail, Ravager, Screecher and Scytheclaw
• Stranglethorn - Stranglethorn Raptor and Young Raptor
• Teraptor - Teraptor Matriarch, Teraptor Hatchling
• Terrortooth - Deviate, Runner and Scytheclaw
• Zul'Drak - Drakkari Gutripper, Drakkari Raptor Mount, Drakkari Scytheclaw, Drakuru Raptor and Gundrak Raptor
• Zul'Gurub - Gurubashi Raptor and Razzashi Raptor
• Zandalari Invaders - Gurubashi Raptor, Gurubashi Riding Raptor, Loa-Infused Bladetalon, Maturing Raptor, Shaol'mara Raptor, Tamed Bladetalon, Trained Amani Raptor, Zandalari Raptor and Zeb'tula Raptor

Draenor and Outland raptors

In World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Outland is inhabited by another type of raptor found in the Netherstorm and Blade's Edge Mountains. Their coloration and body shape is quite different from the raptors of Azeroth, as they feature very bright coloration, glowing eyes, and sharp spikes ridging their spine and tail.

In Warlords of Draenor, set before Draenor's destruction, the uncorrupted raptors resemble Azeroth's.

Notable

•  Peckers the Majestic (Alt Draenor)
•  Rek'tor <Colin O'Rourke's Pet>
•  Riplash (Alt Draenor)
•  Riptar (Alt Draenor)
•  Stonescale (Alt Draenor)
•  Vileclaw (Alt Draenor)
•  Zikk (Alt Draenor)

Packs and species

• Bladespire - Bladespire Raptor and Ravager.
• Bloodtalon - Bloodtalon Raptor. (Alt Draenor)
• Daggermaw - Blackhide, Lashtail and Felsworn.
• Razorclaw - Vicious Razorclaw and Young Razorclaw. (Alt Draenor)
• Scythetooth - Scythetooth Raptor.
• Wastetalon - Desert, Gorgrond and Jungle. (Alt Draenor)

Biology

• Wild raptors come in various colors ranging from pink to turquoise.
• Raptors more closely resemble the fictionalized dinosaur of Jurassic Park fame in both shape and intellect rather than actual Velociraptors, though wild ones are more sleek than mounts.
• Level 20 riding raptors are larger than wild raptors, have a large horn protruding horizontally from their forehead and have small fins growing from the tops of their head and hips.
• Epic riding raptors are slightly larger than level 20 riding raptors and are usually decorated with colorful armor and feathers.

Traits

• Raptors are hostile predators.
• Raptor corpses are skinnable.

As a hunter pet

Type
Cunning
Diet
Abilities
Basic	Special	Exotic	Bonus

• Raptors come in a wide variety of bright colors, making them popular to use.
• Troll hunters will start with a Raptor as a pet.

As a companion pet

Main article: Raptor hatchling

• Baby Zandalari Raptor can be caught from pet battles in Zuldazar.
•  [Lil' Tika] can be bought for 200 from Happy Holaua after completing  [10-60] Lil' Tika.
•  [Raptor Containment Crate] can be bought for 50 from Happy Holaua.
•  [Tanzil] can be bought for 100 from Provisioner Mukra.
• Trecker can be bought for 100 from Provisioner Stoutforge.
•  [Zandalari Anklerender],  [Zandalari Footslasher],  [Zandalari Kneebiter] and  [Zandalari Toenibbler] can drop from Zandalari Dinomancers on the Isle of Giants.
•  [Zandalari Raptor Egg] is a guaranteed drop from N'chala the Egg Thief in Zuldazar.

Raptors as mounts

Main article: Raptor mounts

Raptor are sold by Zjolnir located in south durotar by Sen'jin Village. Samamba the Sen'jin Quartermaster in Icecrown also sells two unique Raptors. There are also several rare raptors all over Azeroth.

Mount Name		Availability	Required riding skill	Required Level
Little Ivory Raptor	[Little Ivory Raptor Whistle]	Loot card	Riding (75)	20
Emerald Raptor	[Whistle of the Emerald Raptor]	1	Riding (75)	20
Turquoise Raptor	[Whistle of the Turquoise Raptor]	1	Riding (75)	20
Violet Raptor	[Whistle of the Violet Raptor]	1	Riding (75)	20
Swift Blue Raptor	[Swift Blue Raptor]	10	Riding (150)	40
Swift Olive Raptor	[Swift Olive Raptor]	10	Riding (150)	40
Swift Orange Raptor	[Swift Orange Raptor]	10	Riding (150)	40
Black War Raptor	[Black War Raptor]	PVP	Riding (150)	40
Darkspear Raptor	[Darkspear Raptor]	100	Riding (150)	40
Swift Purple Raptor	[Swift Purple Raptor]	5 500	Riding (150)	40
Swift Razzashi Raptor	[Swift Razzashi Raptor]	Bloodlord Mandokir	Riding (150)	40
Venomhide Ravasaur	[Venomhide Ravasaur]	Mor'vek	Riding (150)	53
Ivory Raptor	[Whistle of the Ivory Raptor]	No Longer Attainable	Riding (150)	40
Mottled Red Raptor	[Whistle of the Mottled Red Raptor]	No Longer Attainable	Riding (150)	40

In the RPG

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

Raptors come in many colors, from green-striped red to yellow-striped turquoise. A raptor’s tail extends straight out, held aloft by an intricate structure of bony supports, thus allowing its weight to be carried entirely by the back legs. Raptors weigh about 600 pounds and use a combination of speed, grasping forearms, large teeth, and hind legs with ripping talons. They hunt by running at prey, leaping, and ripping with their rear talons as they claw and bite. A raptor has a relatively large brain for a dinosaur, and its pack hunts with cunning tactics.

Notes

• The druid ground travel form for Zandalari trolls is that of a raptor.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• There might be an area or an island around Suramar or the Broken Isles where the Nightborne could have found raptors and other dinosaurs. Such as Su'esh, a Devilsaur. And possibly falcosaurs as well, as they recently showed up on the Broken Isles.
• Ravasaurs might be related to the raptors of the Barrens but are much larger. They are highly intelligent, volatile, and with a sense or code of conduct.

Gallery

• 

  Raptor concept art.

• 

  Bloodclaw, a raptor in the TCG.

• 

  The Longeye, a troll hunter, and his raptor.

• 

  Vol'jin, Chieftain of the Darkspear, atop his raptor.

• 

  A tortollan shellshifter transformed into a raptor.

• 

  Raptors are popular as plushies.

• 

  Raptor Plushie in the real world.

• 

  Raptors in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.

Patch changes

• Patch 8.0.1 (2018-07-17): New model added. [Savage Rend] ability added.
  
• Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): [Strength of the Pack] removed.
  
• Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14): New model added.

  [Tear Armor] replaced with [Strength of the Pack].
  

• Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): Ability changes.

  [Savage Rend] replaced by [Tear Armor].
  

• Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14): Bonuses equalized.

  Damage had a +10% bonus and now has +5% bonus.
  Armor had no bonus and now has a +5% bonus.
  

• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Major changes.

  [Bite] replaced with [Savage Rend].
  Armor had a +3% bonus and now has no bonus.
  Health had a -5% penalty and now has +5% bonus.
  

• Patch 2.2.0 (2007-09-25): Dash is trainable on all raptors.
  

External links

• Wowhead
• Petopia