Wind Rider (Warcraft III)

For lore, see wyvern rider.

Wind Rider
Race	Orc and Wyvern
Faction	Orcish Horde
Statistics
Hit points	570
Hit point regeneration	Always
Hit point regeneration rate	0.25 HP/sec.
Unit Classified As	Air
Level	4
Gold	265
Lumber	40
Food	4
Produced at	Beastiary
Build time	35 sec.
Attacking priority	2
Hotkey	W
Combat
Weapon(s)	Throwing Spears
Normal attack	36-44 (40 avg)
Can attack	Ground, Structure, Debris, Air, Item, Ward
Range	45
Attack type	Pierce
Cooldown	2.00 sec.
Weapon type	Missile
Armor Type	Flesh
Defense Type	Light
Armor	0
Day Sight	160
Night Sight	80
Movement Speed	Fast (320)
Sound
Sound Set	WindRider

This article contains lore taken from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the manuals, and/or official bonus maps.

The sentient Wyverns of Kalimdor were eager to ally themselves with the Shamanistic Horde. Impressed by the Orcs' commitment to honor and victory, the Wyverns allowed the Orcs to ride them into combat against those who would disturb the tranquility of Kalimdor and its denizens. The Wyverns, who share a common ancestry with both Dragons and Gryphons, use their powerful talons and razor-like fangs against both airborne attackers and ground troops.

Information

Wind Riders are popular among Orc players because they possess high all-around damage which is particularly effective against ground units. This comes into play when under the effects of Bloodlust and Envenomed Spears researched, as not only the rider attacks significantly faster, the poison from their attacks also weakens the enemy over time which deals significant damage if no healers are present.

In Reign of Chaos, they're called "Wyvern Riders" instead.

Counters

As medium air units with a somewhat slow attack if not under the effects of Bloodlust, Gargoyles, Hippogryphs, Flying Machines are the best counters against them by overwhelming them with numbers. Troll Batriders may also be used.

Spells and abilities

Research Envenomed Spears (Passive)

Adds an additional poison effect to the Wind Rider's Attack. A unit poisoned by the Envenomed Spear takes an additional 4 damage per second over 25 seconds.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 100 150 Beastiary Fortress 40 sec.
Duration (Hero) Allowed Targets Effect 25 (1) sec. Air, Ground, Organic 4 damage/sec

Upgrades

Steel Ranged Weapons

Increases the ranged attack damage of Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, Troll Batriders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time	Effect
100 100	War Mill	60 sec.	Normal attack: 37-49 (43 avg)

Thorium Ranged Weapons

Further increases the ranged attack damage of Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, Troll Batriders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
150 200	War Mill	Stronghold	75 sec.	Normal attack: 38-54 (46 avg)

Arcanite Ranged Weapons

Further increases the ranged attack damage of Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, Troll Batriders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
200 300	War Mill	Fortress	90 sec.	Normal attack: 39-59 (49 avg)

Steel Unit Armor

Increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time	Effect
150 75	War Mill	60 sec.	Armor: 2

Thorium Unit Armor

Further increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
225 225	War Mill	Stronghold	75 sec.	Armor: 4

Arcanite Unit Armor

Further increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders and Demolishers.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
300 375	War Mill	Fortress	90 sec.	Armor: 6

World Editor description

Highly mobile flying creature. Excellent at scouting. Can learn Envenomed Spears.

Quotes

• See Warcraft III Wind Rider quotes

Patch changes

• Patch 1.12 (2003-07-31): Wyvern / Wind Rider hit points have been reduced from 600 to 570.
  
• Patch 1.10 (2003-07-03):
  • Reign of Chaos
    • Wyvern hit points increased to 600 from 500.
    • Wyvern poison now lasts 25 seconds and deals 4 damage a second.
  • The Frozen Throne
    • Wind Riders no longer require a Fortress to be built.
    • Wind Rider damage reduced to 36-44 from 39-47.
    • Wind Rider poison now deals 4 damage a second, up from 3.3 damage a second.
    • Wind Rider speed reduced to 320 from 350.
      
• Patch 1.07 (2003-07-01):
  • Hit points increased to 600 from 500.
  • Poison hero duration decreased to 1 from 10.
  • Poison damage decreased to 3.3 from 8.
    

External links

Battle.net Warcraft III - Orcs -> Units -> Wind Rider