[ABANDONED] [OUTDATED] In-depth guide on how to get your Skyscake

NOTE: In order to unlock the Skyscale Collection, you need to complete the final episode of LW4, at minimum.

This is being updated very, very slowly. There is a LOT of information to be added to this guide and I am only one person :,). Please, be patient!

26/12/23: This guide is being updated! However this is still a very, very slow process. Thank you all for waiting!

Preparation

This mount requires a lot of prep if you don't want to be stuck weeks between steps. So, to save you a little time, here's the total sum of items/currency you'll need in order to get your skyscale, in order of most time-consuming, to least.

Character/Masteries

At least one character will need to have completed LW4 Episode 6 War Eternal[wiki.guildwars2.com] chapter 5: Descent[wiki.guildwars2.com] to be able to start this collection.
At least one character will need to have completed LW4 Episode 4 A Star to Guide Us[wiki.guildwars2.com] chapter 3: Legacy[wiki.guildwars2.com] to be able to access Sun's Refuge[wiki.guildwars2.com].

You will need to own all episodes of LW4 and have access to all of its respective areas in order to complete the required achievements for the skyscale collection.

Certain areas will require the use of the Jackal's Shifting Sands[wiki.guildwars2.com] mastery (allows use of sand-portals.) A Springer or Griffon will also make reaching certain areas for the collection far easier (although a Springer is the only mount really required for completion.)

Events

You will need to complete 10 events in each of the 3 different areas in Dragonfall, to unlock three vendors that can be found in Pact Command[wiki.guildwars2.com]. This makes 30 events in total across the entire map.

250 of each of the 6 LW4 map currencies.

This would be the following:

• 250 Kralkite Ores[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Domain of Istan)
  
• 250 Difluorite Crystals[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Sandswept Isles)
  
• 250 Inscribed Shards[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Domain of Kourna)
  
• 250 Lumps of Mistonium[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Jahai Bluffs)
  
• 250 Branded Masses[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Thunderhead Peaks), and
  
• 250 Mistborn Motes[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Dragonfall). (You will need 10 extra of these for some earlier steps, keep in mind.

It is strongly recommended that you begin collecting these as soon as possible (ideally, as you unlock each map). There are various ways that you can obtain these currencies, and I will list them below from most to least efficient:

• Map Completion:

This one is simple. Once 100% completing any of the LW4 maps, you will be awarded 25 of that map's corresponding currency. I'd recommend you get this done, not only to make traversing the maps easier later on, but because it will involve completing each area's Renown Hearts at least once, the convenience of of which I will discuss 4 paragraphs below this one.

• Seasons of the Dragons Achievements:

Upon the release of EoD, ANET released a set of 24 achievements that revolve around the completion of various LW maps. There is one of these for each of the LW4 areas, and upon completion, reward 250 of the map's corresponding currency. This is a very effective way of earning map currency, however, the achievements can only be completed once, thus, if you've already used up the currency for any of the maps on something else, this will not work. It is also quite a grind, as each achievement has different requirements that rely on various levels of diligence and time to complete. There are other options, however.

• Volatile Magic Vendors:

Above the Pact Command WP[wiki.guildwars2.com] on Dragonfall, there is a vendor that will trade Volatile Magic for 5 of each of the LW4 map currencies per account, per day. This method will result in weeks of passively and slowly gaining each currency, however, when coupled with another of the below methods, it is very effective.

• Ethernal Ice Shards:

If you have The Icebrood Saga unlocked, you will have access to its unique currency, Ethernal Ice Shards[wiki.guildwars2.com]. These can be traded at a number of vendors for various LW4 currencies. If you have an abundance of Ice Shards, and some Karma lying around, this is a viable method.

• Renown Heart NPCs:

This is possibly the slowest method, and was previously one of the only ways to obtain each currency. Going around every map, and completing their respective Renown Hearts once a day, will allow the player to purchase 5 of the respective currency per vendor, once per character, per day.

• BONUS - Dragon Bash Vendor:

If you happen to be in the middle of the Dragon Bash[wiki.guildwars2.com] festival, once a week (per account), a Dragon Bash Merchant[wiki.guildwars2.com] will offer 50 of each currency for 1 Jorbreaker[wiki.guildwars2.com] each. This is a ridiculously effective method, as it gives you the option to passively gain the currency, and even the option to use gold to pay for it all.

12 Pieces of Skyscale Food + 1 Grow Lamp.

These two items only require prep because they all contain Charged Quartz[wiki.guildwars2.com] (click the URL to read how to make it), which is already an expensive mineral, and can only be charged once per day, per account. While the Grow Lamp is a rather costly crafted-item that requires the Jeweller profession to be maxed out (level 400) in order to make, and can also only be made once per day, per account.

To craft the required pieces of Skyscale Food (made in the Mystic Forge[wiki.guildwars2.com]), you will need:

• 24 Slabs of Red Meat
  
• 12 Charged Quartz Crystals
  
• 60 Globs of Ectoplasm, and
  
• 300 Piles of Bloodstone Dust

Alternatively, you can buy it on the trading post of (as of updating this guide) for a little under 36 Gold.

To craft the Grow Lamp, you will need:

• 10 Charged Quartz Crystals
  
• 10 Oricalcum Settings
  
• 25 Sunstone Lumps, and
  
• 25 Watchwork Sprockets

Alternatively, you can buy it on the trading post for (as of updating this guide) a little under 27 Gold. I recommend waiting until the Wintersday[wiki.guildwars2.com] Festival, as they can be bought for up to 10 Gold less during this period, due to the sudden abundance of charged quartz.

Other Currency.

You will need the following in currencies to complete various steps:

• 41G total (with an optional cost of 4-80G extra when concerning the Troublesome Skyscales[wiki.guildwars2.com] (step 4) achievement.)
  
• 1,700 Volatile Magic[wiki.guildwars2.com]
  
• 520 Trade Contracts[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Step 1.1 - Scales - Newborn Skyscales

Regarding the following steps, please consult this map[wiki.guildwars2.com] for a summary of all quest-item locations:

After completing the story step Descent (the final story-step in War Ethernal[wiki.guildwars2.com]), you should have received a letter from Gorrik, where he states that "something strange is going on with the skyscales" and urges you to visit him. Follow his instructions.

Speak to Gorrik, and he will explain that the skyscales are beginning their malting cycle, and that you are required to go around and collect skyscale scales from various skyscales around Dragonfall.

Scale Locations

Scale 1

• From Gorrik head southeast. The scale is on a ledge just below your level on the cliff face.

Scale 2

• From Pact Command head south over the bridge to the small island. Drop down to sea level on the east side.

Scale 3

• On top of the spire east of the waypoint. Reached by using either Griffon or Skyscale (use one of the free ones around the map and port back to the Pact Command waypoint). After flying on top of the airship head over to the top of the spire. Use a Springer to get as far up on the spire as possible, then use a Griffon to fly to the top of the moored airship. From there, it's an easy Griffon flight to the top of the spire.
  
• Alternative - Use Springer with max jump and the ability to glide from mounts. Get to the top point of the airship. Do a max jump and then dismount and glide over to the right side of the spire as you are looking at it. Use Springer again to get to the top.
  
• Alternative 2 - Glide directly to the top of the spire by the airship on a borrowed Skyscale from the Skyscale Roost on top of the wing, located south and slightly east of the Pact Command.

Scale 4

• Tucked against the base of a tree on a very high cliff on top of the wing.

Scale 5

• Southeast of Verdance Falls[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI, slightly below the lip of the waterfall.

Scale 6

• Use a springer to jump up a series of cliffs, and they will lead to the western base of the branch with the scale. The springer can take you along the branch.
  There will be Oakheart's Essence around the base of the cliffs, do not bother using them. They are a far more difficult route than just using the springer.
  
• Alternatively, there is a skyscale roost nearby. Using the skyscale is easier to climb to the top.

Scale 7

• A large branch hanging off the southern coast. Scale is further out, past the burning copter, almost to the end of the root.

Scale 8

• Far southwest of the map, just below mastery point. Easily reached from water level with Springer.

Scale 9

• Inside the Shackled Grasp[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI, NE of The Underworld Waypoint.

Scale 10

• Spitting distance of #16, to the west, on the same cliff, under the "actual" scale.

Scale 11

• On top of a rock floating in the air above the water, off the coast, NW of the "N" in Necrotic Coast.

Scale 12

• West of the Northwest Shrine. Use the thermal tube northwest of the Burning Forest Waypoint. Stop after the 6th hop.

Scale 13

• In a cave directly north of the word "Virulent" on the map. SE of the Ashen Steppes[wiki.guildwars2.com].

Scale 14

• Near Balthazar's Folly[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI, on the beach by Balthazar's outstretched hand.

Scale 15

• On the shore, high in a tree, springer can be used to reach.
  
• Alternatively, use the thermal tube from the waypoint to reach the top of the cliff, then glide down into the tree.

Scale 16

• Glide over to the cliff, North of the clawed wing (very close to #10). Look on the cliff below the "actual" scale.

Scale 17

• West northwest of the Ember Gate POI, on the edge of the cliff next to Kralkatorrik's tail. Just walk across the bridge and look to the right.

Scale 18

• At the base of the cliff (just at the water's edge) north of the Gnarlgrove[wiki.guildwars2.com] mastery point.

Scale 19

• Behind the waterfall that pours into the south ocean between Mosswood and Howling Gate.
  Note* It is at the 'base' of the falls, not the top.

Scale 20

• East northeast of the Grenth's Respite[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI, in the water at the bottom of the bay.

Scale 21

• On top of the body, near the tail. South of the Vista near Dragon's Causeway.

Step 1.2 - Medicine - Newborn Skyscales

When given the task of collecting scales, you'll also required to buy 5 different medicines from various vendors in order to progress, located at Pact Command[wiki.guildwars2.com].


Medicine 1 - Activated-Charcoal Paste

• Purchased from the Crystal Bloom Quartermaster[wiki.guildwars2.com] in Dragonfall for 4,900 Karma. Requires the achievement Putting Out Fires (complete 10 events in the Burning Forest[wiki.guildwars2.com].)

Medicine 2 - Gravewort Paste

• Purchased from the Olmakhan Quartermaster[wiki.guildwars2.com] in Dragonfall for 100 Volatile Magic and 5 Mistborn Motes. Requires the achievement Life in the Underworld (complete 10 events in the Underworld[wiki.guildwars2.com].)

Medicine 3 - Mashed Echinacea

• Purchased from the Mist Warden Quartermaster[wiki.guildwars2.com] in Dragonfall for 100 Volatile Magic and 5 Mistborn Motes. Requires the achievement Cutting Weeds (complete 10 events in Melandru's Lost Domain[wiki.guildwars2.com].)

Medicine 4 & 5 - Stabilized Brandstorm Flux & Tincture of Volatile Magic

• Both are purchased from the Traveling Elonian Trader[wiki.guildwars2.com] in Dragonfall for 245 Karma and 10 Trade Contracts each.

Step 1.3 - Cures - Newborn Skyscales

Regarding the following steps, please consult this map[wiki.guildwars2.com] for a summary of all quest-item locations:

Upon returning to Gorrik with the scales and the medicine, he will prepare the medicine, and ask you to administer it to a small number of skyscales, located around Dragonfall.

Scale Locations

Cure 1

• From Gorrik head east. The Sick Skyscale is right next to him.

Cure 2

• West of the Grenth's Teeth Vista, North of the Skyscale Roost, on the side of a cliff.

Cure 3

• Northwest of Wailing Basin[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI.

Cure 4

• Right under the talon of the wing.

Cure 5

• West of Fire God's Precipice[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI and the bridge, along the lower cliff-face. Right below the tree.

Cure 6

• Just outside of Crystal Bloom Camp to the southeast is a ley line, use it to get on the ledge behind it, then continue southeast and use the Sand Portal. From there head Northeast along the cliff edge.

Cure 7

• Slightly North-East of the Scorched Cliffs Vista, on a lower platform.
  Tip: Use the sand portal located to the south west of the vista (north of the Crystal Bloom Outpost[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI.

Cure 8

• South-southwest of the Umbral Battlegrounds Vista. On top of the plateau.

Cure 9

• Southeast of the nearby Skyscale Roost Slightly Southwest of Charnel Gate[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI.

Cure 10

• South of the Gnarlgrove Vista, North of the Skyscale Roost, atop a bit of land on a tree.

Cure 11

• North of a Skyscale Roost, west of the wing, in a small waterfall grotto, opposite a statue of Melandru. At sea level.

Cure 12

• Underneath the top-most part of the wing. Near where you collected the blood from Kralkatorrik for the story.

Cure 13

• On top of the large tree, right at the Tower of the Third[wiki.guildwars2.com] POI.

Cure 14

• Due west of the Melandru's Chalice Vista, on the upper Tree Island.

[WIP] Step 1.4 - Eggs - Newborn Skyscales

Regarding the following steps, please consult this map[wiki.guildwars2.com] for a summary of all quest-item locations:

Once all medicine has been administered to the appropriate skyscales and you return to Gorrik, he will explain that his cure was completely redundant. He will go on to say that the skyscales are dying, and we are to collect their eggs, so that the babies can be cared for after their parents pass, and the skyscales do not go completely extinct

Egg Locations

Egg 1

• Floor level, near Gorrik.

Step 2.1 - Pre-requisites - Saving Skyscales

Two hours after completing the previous collection Gorrik will mail you with instructions on where to go/what to do next. In order to hatch the (previously collected) skyscale eggs, you will need to travel to various locations and collect certain types of magic located there.

If you find the formatting here confusing, you may check the GW2WIKI's dedicated guide[wiki.guildwars2.com] on this part of the collection!

Pre-requisites

1. The following can be collected and completed at any time:

• Dragonfall, Pact Command Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Blood[wiki.guildwars2.com] and Almorra's Directive[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Defeat a total of 150 enemies) by speaking to Almorra.
Collect Courage in the Face of Oblivion[wiki.guildwars2.com], located just north of the waypoint.

• Divinity's Reach, Dwayna Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Life[wiki.guildwars2.com] and Dwayna's Directive[wiki.guildwars2.com] (Revive a total of 18 allies) by speaking to the Priestess of Dwayna.


2. Collect the following Natures to open up every collection, and parts of certain collections if they end up in the same map. Do these in order for the best results:

• The Grove, Upper Commons Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Growth[wiki.guildwars2.com], located northeast of the waypoint, inside of the Omphalos Chamber[wiki.guildwars2.com]. Speak to the Teacher inside to receive this Nature.

• Brisban Wildlands, Mrot Boru Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Spirit[wiki.guildwars2.com] by travelling northeast from the waypoint to find Amaranda the Lonesome and speaking to her.

• Lornar's Pass, Vanjir's Stead Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Fear[wiki.guildwars2.com] by heading east from the WP, across the river, and speaking to Orson (located to the south-east inside of the Ettinworks Lab[wiki.guildwars2.com].)

• Frostgorge Sound, Blue Ice Shining Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Ice[wiki.guildwars2.com] by travelling to the upper decks of the kodan ship near the WP, and speaking to Frigid Paw who awaits at the top of one of the ramps.

• Frostgorge Sound, Earthshake Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect Ice of the Air[wiki.guildwars2.com] by getting frozen by Ice Elementals during the second phase of the event "Defeat the Claw of Jormag[wiki.guildwars2.com]", or alternatively, from touching Ice Storms[wiki.guildwars2.com] located in Bitterfrost Frontier[wiki.guildwars2.com].

• Domain of Vabbi, Market Ruins Waypoint

Collect Astraphobia[wiki.guildwars2.com] by standing in the Brandstorm.
Collect Courage in the Face of Shattered Faith[wiki.guildwars2.com] by hopping onto your Springer and braving your way through the brandstorm, up the scaffolding and stairs towards King Joko's Sky Garden[wiki.guildwars2.com].
Collect The Nature of Water[wiki.guildwars2.com], The Nature of Fire[wiki.guildwars2.com], The Nature of Earth[wiki.guildwars2.com], and The Nature of Air[wiki.guildwars2.com] by speaking with each individual Grand Elder Djinn (without fighting) or to Grandmaster Elder Djinn Emine (after completing the event, "Defeat the grand elder djinn[wiki.guildwars2.com]".) If the Djinns required for the collections are not present they can be summoned by killing all hostile veteran elemetals and djinns in the area.

• Domain of Vabbi, Vehtendi Academy Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect Glossophobia[wiki.guildwars2.com] by completing this event[wiki.guildwars2.com] (the achievement will be awarded regardless of if the event fails or succeeds.)

• Domain of Vabbi, Necropolis Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect The Nature of Death[wiki.guildwars2.com] by heading south, towards the nearest hero challenge, and speak with Sister Lissa.
Collect Growth of Artichokes[wiki.guildwars2.com] by ascending The Necropolis. Follow the road west, past the organ-sorting area. Turn south and keep following the road until the end, then climb the cliffs to the artichoke patch. It is directly south of the renown heart, at the border of the map.
Collect Sands of Vabbi[wiki.guildwars2.com] after completing the previous pre-requisite, step into quicksand to complete this step (you must take damage from the quicksand.)
Collect Fires of a God[wiki.guildwars2.com] by following the road north from the WP, then left at the fork. Left once more at the next fork, heading to the bottom of The Foundry[wiki.guildwars2.com]. Walk into, and take damage from any of the furnaces in The Hearth[wiki.guildwars2.com]. They are the big oven-like structures at the very bottom of the building's interior.

• Domain of Vabbi, Seborhin Waypoint[wiki.guildwars2.com]

Collect Winds of the Waste[wiki.guildwars2.com] by getting hit or knocked down by a Dust Mite Twister's tornado attack (see here[wiki.guildwars2.com] for Dust Mite locations.)

[WIP] Step 2.2 - Remaining Collections - Saving Skyscales

Remaining collections [WIP - UNFORMATTED]

The following can be collected in any order after completing the above:

Domain of Istan
Champion's Dawn Waypoint — [&BBoLAAA=]
Collect Death of the Oppressed
Domain of Kourna
Allied Encampment Waypoint — [&BFcLAAA=]
Collect Waters of Ntouka
Jahai Bluffs
Yatendi Village Waypoint — [&BH4LAAA=]
Collect Spirit of the Lich King
Venta Pass Waypoint — [&BJMLAAA=]
Collect Spirit of the Centaurs
Varies
Collect Winds of the Storm (get thrown in the air by the Tornado)
The Desolation
Joko's Domain Waypoint — [&BAsKAAA=]
Collect Death of the Conquered
Bonestrand Waypoint — [&BNwKAAA=]
Collect Growth of Carrots
Elon Riverlands
Olishar's Oasis Camp Waypoint — [&BCgKAAA=] or Skimmer Ranch Waypoint — [&BGcKAAA=]
Collect Sands of the Riverlands
Olishar's Oasis Camp Waypoint — [&BCgKAAA=]
Collect Death of the Exile
Collect Growth of Cauliflower
Skimmer Ranch Waypoint — [&BGcKAAA=]
Collect Spirit of the Hero
Augury's Shadow Waypoint — [&BFMKAAA=]
Collect Courage in the Face of One's Self (Defeat either Branded Josso Essher or Crazed Doppelganger)
Crystal Oasis
Amnoon Waypoint — [&BLsKAAA=]
Collect Sands of Sifuri
Desert Highlands
Lommuld Kraal Waypoint — [&BGoKAAA=]
Death of the Kings
Makali Outpost Waypoint — [&BGsKAAA=]
Spirit of the Prophet
Derelict Delve Waypoint — [&BKQKAAA=]
Collect Waters of Derelict Delve, Fires of the Depths and Ice of the Land (See Rune-Locked Doors)
Brightwater Waypoint — [&BJEKAAA=]
Growth of Strawberries
Bloodtide Coast
Castavall Waypoint — [&BK4BAAA=]
Collect Waters of Castavall
Straits of Devastation
Fort Trinity Waypoint — [&BO4CAAA=]
Collect Courage in the Face of Death
Mount Maelstrom
Magmatic Waypoint — [&BNYCAAA=] or Maelstrom's Waypoint — [&BM0CAAA=]
Collect Fires of the Mountain
Criterion Waypoint — [&BMkCAAA=] or Ashen Waypoint — [&BM4CAAA=] or Oxbow Isle Waypoint — [&BNECAAA=] or Judgment Waypoint — [&BNUCAAA=] (See Hidden Garden jumping puzzle )
Winds of the Garden
Thunderhead Peaks
Revolution's Heart Waypoint — [&BKYLAAA=]
Collect Ice of the Sea
Fields of Ruin
Fallen Angels Garrison Waypoint — [&BFEBAAA=]
Collect Alektorophobia
Blazeridge Steppes
Lowland Burns Waypoint — [&BE4DAAA=]
Collect Acrophobia - Requires High Vault
Black Citadel
Junker's Waypoint — [&BDcEAAA=]
Collect Fires of the Legion
Dry Top
Prosperity Waypoint — [&BHoHAAA=]
Collect Sands of Prosperity
Silverwastes
Camp Resolve Waypoint — [&BH8HAAA=]
Collect Courage in the Face of Lost Will

[WIP] Step 3 - Raising Skyscales