Just yesterday, we were talking about WoW’s pet shop as if it were a distant prospect – something to look forward to, or prepare for, depending on the perspective offered from atop your mount. But during the night, Blizzard bought the plot, built the store, and swivelled the door-sign 180 degrees so that it read ‘OPEN’.
Players can now browse the newly added Shop interface in the WoW client and buy from a selection of mounts and pets. Once you’ve logged in a character, click the Shop icon on the menu bar to scroll through the (mostly) four-legged potential companions. Alternatively, head straight to the battle.net store.
“By combining the best of cutting-edge goblin and gnomish technology, we’ve also made it possible for you to receive your new pal right in your inventory (or via mail if your inventory is full),” write Blizzard.
All the best pals are bought. That way they can never fall out with you, or disagree with you, and you can always buy another if you break one.
These particular giftable pals are 50% off til January 1– leaving the pets at $5/£4.50 apiece, and the mounts at $12.50/£8.50.Blizzard want to ensure these “cuddly creatures and loyal mounts find a good home”. A futile quest, for their stock in neverending, a self-renewing supply of homeless, noble animals. Probably soberingly like running a real pet shelter, actually.
In the pets section, you’ll find a variety of creatures from all along the cute ‘n’ cuddly spectrum:
- Alterac Brew Pup
- Blossoming Ancient
- Cenarion Hatchling
- Cinder Kitten
- Lil’ KT
- Lil’ Ragnaros
- Lil’ XT
- Pandaren Monk
- Soul of the Aspects
Aaaand in the mounts section:
- Armored Bloodwing
- Celestial Steed
- Enchanted Fey Dragon
- Heart of the Aspects
- Swift Windsteed
- Winged Guardian
Note that the dramatically italicised options aren’t available at discounted price, for some reason. I’ve never owned a monk as a pet before. Should I start now?