The Corrupted Swarmer is a grotesque, flying insectoid mount born from the void-touched swarms of the Aqir. Its chitinous armor, glowing void energy, and erratic, buzzing wings make it a striking addition for collectors who appreciate mounts with a dark, alien aesthetic. The flavour text speaks to its relentless nature: "The Aqir swarmers feast on heroes and cowards alike to grow their ranks." For collectors who enjoy world events and want a mount that reflects their dedication to fighting back the swarm, the Corrupted Swarmer is a highly attainable and visually distinct trophy from the Midnight expansion.
Introduced in patch 12.1.5 "Curse of Ula'tek", the Corrupted Swarmer is a vendor mount tied to the new Aqir Invasions world event. Unlike mounts that require you to clear the hardest difficulty of a dungeon or defeat a Nemesis boss solo, this mount is a reward for consistent participation in the open world. It requires a bit of grinding, but the process is straightforward. For players who love large-scale world PvE and want to earn a guaranteed mount, the Corrupted Swarmer offers a rewarding and achievable goal.
The Corrupted Swarmer is purchased from the NPC Estelia Archtender in Silvermoon City. To buy it, you will need two things:
This is a 100% guaranteed acquisition once you meet the reputation and currency requirements. There is no RNG involved in the purchase itself, only in the time required to farm the reputation and the currency during the Aqir Invasions. Below, we break down how to unlock the event, how the invasions work, and the most efficient ways to earn your reputation.
To begin participating in the Aqir Invasions, you must first unlock them by completing the first chapter of the Patch 12.1.5 campaign. You can start this storyline by accepting the quest The Aqir Swarm from Lor'themar Theron in Silvermoon. Once the introductory questline is complete, the Aqir Invasions will become active across Eversong Woods and Zul'Aman.
Starting at the top of every hour, the invasion begins. For 10 minutes, players must work together to complete various scenarios to fill the progress bar. There are six potential scenario types — three combat-focused and three non-combat-focused. Combat scenarios also come with one of eight random affixes that can change how you approach the fight:
Once the 10-minute scenario phase ends, an Aqir Monstrosity spawns. This is the general of the Aqir army. Players must gather and defeat this boss within 5 minutes, or it will despawn until the next cycle. Defeating the Monstrosity once a week yields the highest rewards. However, you can defeat it multiple times a week for additional reputation catch-up rewards, making this a great way to grind out your rep.
Aqir Invasions
Aqir Monstrosity
The Aqir Research Enclave is a sub-faction tied to the Silvermoon Court. It only has 5 renown levels, starting at Neutral and ending at Exalted. You need a total of 5,000 reputation to reach Exalted and unlock the ability to purchase the Corrupted Swarmer.
Reputation is earned through three main sources:
| Reputation Rank | Reputation # Required | Reputation Total |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral | 500 | 500 |
| Friendly | 1000 | 1500 |
| Honored | 1500 | 3000 |
| Revered | 2000 | 5000 |
Because the Aqir Invasions are on a strict hourly timer, maximizing your reputation gains during each event is crucial. Make sure to take advantage of the following reputation buffs:
Farming the Aqir Invasions requires you to be in the right place at the right time. The following addons can help you track the event and optimize your pathing:
