The Darkened Vombata is a mysterious, shadow-touched vombata whose darkened hide and eerie, void-tinted glow make it one of the most unusual mounts from the enigmatic realm of Zereth Mortis. Its sombre coloration, a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of its kin, hints at a strange reaction to the Mawsworn invasion that swept through the realm. The flavour text speaks to its peculiar origin: "The schematic to synthesize these darkened vombata seem to have appeared as a reaction to the Mawsworn invasion. The resulting vombata look different — darker, much like the invaders — but behave normally." For collectors who value prestige and the satisfaction of crafting a mount through the Protoform Synthesis system, this shadowed creature is a true trophy — a symbol of your dedication to uncovering the secrets of the First Ones.
Introduced in patch 9.2.0 "Eternity's End", the Darkened Vombata is a mount that rewards patience and planning above all else. Unlike many mounts that drop from a single boss or can be bought from a vendor, this one is the culmination of a longer journey — a project that spans multiple systems and activities across Zereth Mortis and the Sepulcher of the First Ones. It is not a sprint to a single objective, but a steady march through several connected tasks, each bringing you one step closer to the finished construct. For collectors who find satisfaction in structured progression and the gradual assembly of a unique prize, the Darkened Vombata offers a deeply rewarding goal.
The Darkened Vombata is crafted at the Protoform Repository in Zereth Mortis. To craft it, you will need to gather three specific materials: 450 Genesis Motes, 1 Mawforged Bridle, and 1 Vombata Lattice. However, before you can craft the mount, you must complete several prerequisites: unlock the Protoform Synthesis system, obtain the schematic, and gather all the required materials. This is a 100% guaranteed acquisition once you have everything — there is no RNG involved in the crafting itself, only in obtaining the schematic and materials.
Before you can begin your journey to obtain the Darkened Vombata, you must first gain access to Zereth Mortis. To get there, you must have completed Chapter 2 in the 9.1 (Korthia) campaign. The last quest required is Charge of the Covenants. After it is completed, you should get a popup to start the Zereth Mortis (9.2) campaign. You get a portal to Zereth Mortis on the top floor of Oribos after completing the quest This Old Waystone, which is part of the campaign.
If you leave Zereth Mortis before completing that quest, you can speak to Tal-Inara in Oribos to return.
To unlock Protoform Synthesis, you must complete up to the end of Chapter 3 in the 9.2 campaign. You will receive the quest Cyphers of the First Ones, which unlocks the Cypher Console. The Cypher Console is powered by Cyphers of the First Ones, a currency earned from various activities in Zereth Mortis.
How to earn Cyphers of the First Ones:
To unlock the Protoform Repository, you must progress through the Cypher Console research tree. The total cost and time investment is significant, so plan accordingly:
The Protoform Repository is located at the following coordinates:
Protoform Repository
Protoform Repository
To craft the Darkened Vombata, you first need the Schematic: Darkened Vombata. This schematic is located inside a hanging cage by a rock in the Arrangement Index zone, very close to the Protoform Repository.
It is recommended to have flying unlocked to reach this schematic. However, it is possible with alternatives such as jumping from a nearby place with a Goblin Glider Kit to land on the rock, or using the Venthyr covenant ability Door of Shadows.
Next, you will need a Mawforged Bridle. This item is located inside the Sepulcher of the First Ones raid and is only available on Normal, Heroic, and Mythic difficulties. You can only get one per week.
Before the Artificer Xy'mox room, there is a High Value Cache. You will need a Security Override Orb to open it.
To get this orb, you must kill the Taskmaster Xy'pro mob while he has 3 or more stacks of the buff Synergy. He gets these stacks by being close to other broker mobs. Once he is at the correct amount of stacks, he should gain the buff Security Override, which means you can kill him.
Important: It is recommended to get Xy'pro low before pulling the other broker mobs. Make sure he dies before they do, or he will lose his stacks! Upon his death, the Security Override Orb will drop for someone in the raid, and that person must open the High Value Cache. Inside will be the Mawforged Bridle you're looking for!
You will need 1 Vombata Lattice. These are purchasable on the Auction House, which is the fastest method if you have the gold. If you prefer to farm it yourself, it has a low drop chance from Vombata mobs in Zereth Mortis, such as Grasslands Vombata or Sorranos.
You will need 450 Genesis Motes. These drop from most mobs in Zereth Mortis, making them relatively easy to accumulate through normal gameplay. However, you must farm these crafting reagents yourself as they are Bind-on-Pickup and cannot be traded or purchased.
Recommended farming spot: Devourers spawn regularly from the blue portal, and the automa NPCs in the area will help you kill them. This location allows for rapid kills and efficient Mote collection.
After you have gathered all of the required materials — 450 Genesis Motes, 1 Mawforged Bridle, and 1 Vombata Lattice — head over to the Protoform Repository at /way 68.5 30.1. Interact with the repository and search for "Darkened Vombata." Once you've found it, click "Create" to craft your new mount. Congratulations!
Farming the Darkened Vombata requires navigating Zereth Mortis efficiently, tracking rare spawns, and gathering materials. The right addons can help you stay organised and save time.
Pro tip: Use HandyNotes: Shadowlands to see all rare and treasure locations on your map. Combine it with RareScanner for audio alerts when something spawns nearby, and use SavedInstances to track your weekly raid lockouts for the Mawforged Bridle.
