Highmountain Tauren are a proud and imposing faction within the World of Warcraft universe, rooted in the rugged peaks of the Broken Isles. Unlocking this playable race is a significant milestone for Alliance characters, opening access to unique aesthetics, racial traits, and a deep cultural connection to the land of Highmountain.
This guide walks you through the technical and narrative steps required to bring these towering allies to life on your character. Follow the structured path below to smoothly transition from a curious adventurer to a recognized member of the Highmountain Tauren people.
| Unlock Stage | Requirement | Where to Complete | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation Start | Character Level 10 | Highmountain Zone | Unlock Access |
| First Quest Chain | Complete Opening Quests | Various Waypoints | Mount: Highmountain Kodo |
| Major Quest Hub | Reach Revered Reputation | Sun Rock Retreat | Tabard & Gear |
| Exalted Final Step | Complete Campaign Quests | Halls of Valor & Beyond | Race Change Unlock |
Meeting the Highmountain Tauren in the World
The first step to unlocking this race involves physically entering their territory. Highmountain is a zone located in the southern section of the Broken Isles, accessible once your character reaches level 10. Here, the environment shifts into dramatic cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and ancient druidic circles that immediately signal the cultural weight of the Tauren.
As you arrive, you will be introduced to the local tribes through a clear quest chain designed to ease you into the culture. These initial missions teach you how to interact with the land and its people, setting the stage for your eventual reputation grind. Friendly NPCs such as Hagra and Makrga will become your guides, pointing you toward the major hubs where reputation is earned.
Traveling through Highmountain also unlocks unique flight paths and ground mounts, making regional travel faster and more immersive. You will encounter creatures like highland talbuk and kodo, which are not only part of the ecosystem but also tied to key reputation rewards. Completing these early objectives smoothly transitions your character into the role of a temporary ally of the Highmountain tribes.
Earning Revered Status Through Quests
To truly unlock the Highmountain Tauren as a playable option, your character must reach Revered reputation with the faction. This phase involves a series of storyline quests centered around major locations such as Sun Rock Retreat and the Temple of the Red Crane. You will participate in hunts, rescues, and ritual defenses that reinforce the narrative bond between your character and the tribe.
Key Quest Areas to Focus On
Concentrate on the main quest line rather than side content to efficiently climb the reputation ladder. Follow marker waypoints and accept all faction-specific quests you encounter, as they often chain together for bonus experience. These quest blocks typically reward you with gear tokens, tabards, and access to new zones within Highmountain.
Advancing to Exalted and Gaining Access
Once you reach Revered, the path to Exalted opens up with more intensive campaign-style quests. These often involve defending the tribe from invading forces such as the Burning Legion or rogue elements within the Broken Isles. Successfully completing these missions demonstrates your commitment and pushes you to the final tier of reputation.
At Exalted, you gain permanent access to the Highmountain zone, a unique mount, and the ability to begin the race change process for eligible characters. The faction provides gear sets, cosmetic items, and a distinct set of companions that follow you across the world. This stage solidifies your place among the Highmountain Tauren as a full member of the tribe.
Race Change and Final Unlock
With Exalted status secured, you can now unlock the ability to create a Highmountain Tauren character on your realm. For pre-existing characters, this typically requires a race change through the in-game store or a similar service, depending on your platform. The process preserves your items and achievements while transforming your appearance and faction alignment.
Creating a new character directly as a Highmountain Tauren is also possible once the race is unlocked server-wide. You will choose from available classes, customize your appearance using the robust Tauren creator, and begin your adventure with access to racial mounts and starting zone benefits immediately. This final step integrates you fully into the cultural and mechanical identity of the Highmountain Tauren.
Key Takeaways for Unlocking Highmountain Tauren
- Enter Highmountain at level 10 to begin the reputation quest chain.
- Complete zone-specific quests to raise your reputation to Revered.
- Finish the campaign-style missions to reach Exalted tier.
- Unlock access to the zone, mount, and gear upon reaching Exalted.
- Use a race change service or create a new character to finalize the unlock.
FAQ
Reader questions
Can I unlock Highmountain Tauren on a Horde character?
No, Highmountain Tauren is an Alliance-only race change option, reflecting their narrative alignment with the faction in the Broken Isles storyline.
Do I need to pay to unlock the Highmountain Tauren race?
Unlocking the race itself is earned through gameplay reputation grinds, but changing an existing character to Highmountain Tauren usually requires a paid race change service or token.
Is there a level requirement to start the Highmountain Tauren unlock quest line?
Yes, your character must be at least level 10 to enter Highmountain and begin the reputation quest chain that leads to unlocking the race.
What happens to my gear if I race change to Highmountain Tauren?
Your items are generally preserved during a race change, though some appearance-specific gear may need transmog adjustments to fit the new model shape.