Mechanostrider

The mechanostrider is a construct which vaguely resembles a mechanized tallstrider. Small oval lamps replace its eyes, while great mufflers extend where its tailfeathers should be.

Description
When gnomes set out to explore the world once again after their city’s fall, they soon realized that they needed reliable mechanical mounts. One ingenious gnome spied a flock of tallstriders and remarked upon their grace and strength. Soon after was born the mechanostrider, which quickly became a favorite mount of all gnomekind. While these constructs are as dumb as a brick (and even some bricks are smarter, it is said…), they are reliable mounts and, when handled by the best mechanoriders, better than live mounts.

Gnomes
When gnomes set out to explore the world once again after their city's fall, they soon realized that they needed reliable mechanical mounts because they were mocked for their short stature and slow land speed. Tired of being mocked, the gnomes developed these revolutionary modes of travel. One ingenious gnome spied a flock of tallstriders and remarked upon their grace and strength. Soon after was born the mechanostrider, which quickly became a favorite mount of all gnome-kind. Using steam compression and duro-steel plating, the finest gnomish tinkers created these ostrich-like striders to use as mounts. The mechanostrider can move at speeds up to 30 mph.

That one ingenious gnome that the original was invented by was a young Gelbin Mekkatorque. This creation was the one that launched his fame and set him on the path to leadership and the position of High Tinker. Mekkatorque's first working prototype still exists, stored in his trophy case in Sector 17, his Gnomeregan quarters. All end models still echo the avian gait and kettle-bellied form of the prototype.

When the mechanostriders were first constructed, the gnomes refused to restructure for their larger allies, and all gnome tinkers agreed that the striders were only available for small humanoids. However, recently the gnomes also allowed all members of the Alliance to ride them, and even some goblins have also purchased striders for themselves; but most of these striders are still carrying proud gnomish passengers. This mechanostrider represents an older model and, while outdated, is a viable and cheaper vehicle. The current model is the Mechanostrider v. 2.0.

The gnomes' revolutionary mechanostrider represents yet another marvel of their engineering prowess. Each strider is specifically designed with the individual rider in mind. They are constructed using state-of-the-art steam compression, servo-motor dynamics, and duro-steel plating. This offers the rider a reliable and durable means of transportation. Some claim that the mechanostrider's lack of true sentience makes for a very dumb mount. However, the gnomes counter that under a skilled rider, the mechanostrider is more responsive than even the best trained live mount.

Mechagnomes
It is interesting to note that mechagnomes, some of whom would become progenitors of the gnomish race, have been found in Northrend, and riding what appears to be White Mechanostrider Mod B's. The enigmatic mechagnomes have adopted Gelbin Mekkatorque's invention for their own mysterious purposes. Mekkatorque considered it to be quite flattering that a race of machines would see fit to use his machine to get around.

Combat
A mechanostrider fights only when ordered to or threatened, lashing out with its sharp beak and claws, or simply hammering at the dnage with its heavy metallic head.

Mechanostrider mounts
Mechanostrider mounts are available to all Alliance races, while they're initially for gnomes, gaining exalted status with Gnomeregan will allow players to buy and use them. Most can be purchased at Steelgrill's Depot.


 * Blue Mechanostrider
 * Green Mechanostrider
 * Red Mechanostrider
 * Unpainted Mechanostrider
 * Swift Green Mechanostrider
 * Swift White Mechanostrider
 * Swift Yellow Mechanostrider
 * Black Battlestrider, a PvP-mechanostrider mount sold by Lieutenant Karter, in Stormwind City.

The following does not require exalted status with Gnomeregan and is sold at the Argent Tournament Grounds.
 * Gnomeregan Mechanostrider
 * Turbostrider


 * The original epic mount variants (Icy Blue Mechanostrider Mod A and White Mechanostrider Mod A) used the original art. These varieties are no longer offered. Even though there is a quest to replace an original epic mount with a current epic model at no charge, most owners choose to keep their original as a novelty.

Speculation
The swift newly designed mechanostriders are likely the version 3.0 models, however, no known source calls them this.

Patch 3.0.8
In patch 3.0.8, the racial size restriction on mounts was lifted, with the mechanostrider becoming available to all Alliance races when exalted with Gnomeregan. Before this, only gnomes and dwarves were allowed to ride mechanostriders due to the physical size of these races. The established lore, as mentioned above for these mounts, was probably part of the reason for making such a restriction.

Notable mechanostriders

 * Clunk
 * Skystrider