WoW Cataclysm Classic: How To Make The Vial of the Sands
The release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Classic brings a plethora of new accessories, pets, and mounts. Among the most unique of these is the Sandstone Drake, a mount that transforms the player into an impressive, oversized dragon. Unlike other mounts, which might be rare drops from bosses or rewards for obscure achievements, the Sandstone Drake is crafted through the new secondary profession introduced in Cataclysm: Archaeology.
The Path to the Vial of the Sands
To begin the journey toward acquiring the Sandstone Drake, players must delve into the world of Archaeology. This profession allows players to uncover and assemble ancient artifacts scattered across Azeroth. While the Sandstone Drake itself is not directly found by excavating sites, the key to crafting it lies within the canopic jars unearthed in the sands of WoW Cataclysm Classic Gold Uldum.
Step 1: Level Up Archaeology
First, players need to become an Illustrious Grand Master Archaeologist. This requires leveling Archaeology to its maximum skill level, 525. To do this efficiently, players should:
Train Archaeology: Visit a trainer in any major city to learn the profession.
Survey Sites: Use the Survey ability to locate fragments at dig sites marked on the map.
Collect Fragments: Gather fragments from dig sites. Each survey yields fragments that contribute to completing artifacts.
Solve Artifacts: Combine fragments to solve artifacts, providing skill points and occasional rare finds.
Step 2: Digging in Uldum
Once players have reached Illustrious Grand Master status, they should focus on dig sites in Uldum. This desert region is rich with Tol'vir artifacts, and it's within these dig sites that players may find canopic jars.
Tol'vir Fragments: Prioritize Tol'vir dig sites, as the canopic jar is a rare find within Tol'vir artifact caches.
Solve Tol'vir Artifacts: Regularly solve Tol'vir artifacts to maximize chances of obtaining a canopic jar. This process can be time-consuming due to the randomness of the drops.
Step 3: The Canopic Jar
The canopic jar is a rare item that has a chance to drop when solving Tol'vir artifacts. Inside this jar, players might find the elusive recipe for the Vial of the Sands.
Open Canopic Jars: When a canopic jar is found, open it immediately. The recipe inside is the key to creating the Vial of the Sands.
RNG Factor: Be prepared for a potentially long grind, as the drop rate for the recipe is low.
Crafting the Vial of the Sands
Once the recipe for the Vial of the Sands is obtained, the next step involves gathering the required materials and finding an Alchemist to craft the potion.
Materials Needed
The Vial of the Sands recipe requires a significant investment in materials:
8 Sands of Time: These can be purchased from Yasmin, a vendor in Uldum, for 3,000 gold each, totaling 24,000 gold.
8 Truegold: This rare metal is crafted by Alchemists and often found on the Auction House. Each Truegold requires 3 Pyrium Bars, 10 Volatile Fire, 10 Volatile Air, and 10 Volatile Water.
12 Flask of the Winds: Created by Alchemists, these flasks require 6 Whiptail, 6 Azshara's Veil, and a Crystal Vial each.
12 Flask of Titanic Strength: Also created by Alchemists, these require 6 Cinderbloom, 6 Heartblossom, and a Crystal Vial each.
8 Deepstone Oil: Made by Alchemists from Albino Cavefish, which can be fished in Deepholm.
Finding an Alchemist
If you are not an Alchemist yourself, you will need to find one who has the Vial of the cheap WoW Cataclysm Classic Gold Sands recipe. You can typically find willing Alchemists in trade chat or guilds. Be prepared to pay a crafting fee, which varies depending on the server's economy.
Guild Alchemists: Many guilds have dedicated crafters who can assist.
Trade Chat: Advertise in trade chat for an Alchemist with the recipe.
Auction House: Occasionally, the Vial of the Sands might be available for purchase directly from the Auction House, though at a steep price.
Using the Vial of the Sands
Once crafted, the Vial of the Sands is a bind-on-use item, meaning it can be traded or sold until used. When a player drinks the vial, they are transformed into the Sandstone Drake, capable of carrying another player on their back. This unique mount is not only a symbol of dedication but also serves as a practical and impressive form of transportation.
Market Considerations
Due to the rarity of the recipe and the cost of materials, the Vial of the Sands commands a high price on the Auction House. Prices can vary widely based on server economy, but it is always a premium item.
Supply and Demand: The limited number of players with the recipe and the high cost of materials ensure that supply remains low while demand is consistently high.
Investment: For those willing to invest time and gold, crafting and selling the Vial of the Sands can be highly profitable.
Conclusion
Creating the Vial of the Sands in WoW Cataclysm Classic is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires dedication to leveling Archaeology, luck in obtaining the canopic jar, and significant investment in materials. However, the result is one of the game's most unique and coveted mounts. Whether you're crafting it for personal use or selling it for profit, the Sandstone Drake is a testament to your perseverance and skill in the game.
For those diving into Cataclysm Classic, embarking on the journey to create the Vial of the Sands is an adventure worth undertaking, offering not just a mount, but a memorable experience in the ever-evolving world of Azeroth.