GW2: Griffon Kindergarten - a detailed guide for absolute beginners & common mistakes debug

Have you never sat on a griffon before? Do you need guidance for Diving, Climbing, Wing-flapping? Easy!
In this guide I am describing the griffon abilities in detail and answering some common questions, Let me know if you have any more!
----------------------------------
Huge Thanks to my friend itchMug for helping me with the voiceover recording,
her channel: / @itchmug
and to Willow and Nils for letting me use their clips in the beginning (sub to them if you have not already)
Willow: / thyweepingwillow
Nils: / @nilsibus
and the [Wing] guild ^^
----------------------------------
0:07 Intro
0:40 Important Settings and Keybinds
- vertical position of camera
- fov
- conditional mount movement
- mount abilities 1 and 2
- movement keys
1:57 Quick masteries recap
2:15 Speedometer
2:30 Lesson one: Diving
- how to dive
- common mistakes
4:04 Lesson two: Pulling up
- mechanics, how to pull up
- common mistakes
- how to get your lost altitude back • How to regain altitude...
5:11 Lesson three: Wingflap
5:29 Final exam hehehe
6:23 Frequently asked questions / griffon debug
- ping
- dive is long
- holding W
- where to practice flying
- best griffon skin
- how long can I stay in the air
- do I have to be a pro to join your guild?
8:02 Outro
-----------------------------
The Griffon Academy [Wing] / discord
We are a family-friendly community that has a love for flying the griffon mount. We love to stunt-fly across different maps and play little mini games with our feathered friends!
We have many griffon events and gatherings, competitions, giveaways and more! The main goal of [Wing] is to have fun.
Our fliers usually like to group up around Queensdale, if you feel like joining random group-ups, feel free to join our squads!
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[RACE] and the Speedometer
Race is a roller beetle focused guild. Unlike us they make actual tournaments and custom races. Check them out: www.beetlerank...
Download Speedometer link:
github.com/kil...
Griffonpedia picture: / griffonpedia_meme_edition (I don't remember what talented person made it ^^'
#gw2 #griffon #griffonguide #griffonbeginner

[@MidnightRider_]

I love how that Griffon is just vibing behind the couch. XD Thanks for this guide! Currently learning to fly this mount myself and had no idea about that dive animation, total game changer for me!

[@katdrexed]

i'm glad it helped! if you have any other questions u can ask directly on Wing discord too ^^

[@notor1ousguhmz]

This is actually an insane beginner's guide. Thank you so much!

[@trishtrash9339]

I love your wholesome tutorial! It was hard for me to get the hang of the dive & climb mechanic. I was as devastated as my griffon after ramming it constantly in the ground. You saved us with your tutorial! Thx a lot!^^

[@katdrexed]

I'm glat it helped! If you want to learn more do join our discord and our guild, there we do regular group flying workshops for practicing led by our best fliers ^^

[@trishtrash9339]

​@@katdrexed thx 4 the invite^^ But i'll be just looking forward to your Griffon School video^^ I'm getting the hang of it now and can beat most of the official griffon races. But there are still things i'm not sure about. Like how long does my griffon stay in super speed? When i do a normal dive while in super speed, does it prolong super speed? And how do i traverse long distances?

[@katdrexed]

@@trishtrash9339 No problem ^^ I am glad ypu are enjoying the griffon and uh, all those questions are scheduled for my future videos. The one I am working on currently (voice over done, footage not as much) contains some of those answers. I will make sure to inlcude the other questions into the next videos. or shortly here: Superspeed lasts until you dropbdown to about 60 speed (max is 110) and with each dive (that is long enough) it resets back to 110

[@arcademachine2769]

Omg what a lifesaver video and here i was thinking i get myself a chicken. Now i understand i just didn't know aything about it. Ty for this beatiful guide much appreciated ❤

[@katdrexed]

One more to the bonkers flock!

[@kaguya9164]

Just got gold on my first Master Gryphon Adventure (the one in Istan) yesterday, this video definitely helped in that. Thanks.

[@katdrexed]

Congrats!🥳 a more detailes video about racing should be the 4th in these 'tutorial series' stay tuned 😎

[@katdrexed]

One sacrifice was kidnapped in making this video. *Timestamps:* 0:07 Intro 0:40 Important Settings and Keybinds - vertical position of camera - fov - conditional mount movement - mount abilities 1 and 2 - movement keys 1:57 Quick masteries recap 2:15 Speedometer 2:30 Lesson one: Diving - how to dive - common mistakes 4:04 Lesson two: Pulling up - mechanics, how to pull up - common mistakes - how to get your lost altitude back kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5nLmGiIm86brs0 5:11 Lesson three: Wingflap 5:29 Final exam hehehe 6:23 Frequently asked questions / griffon debug - ping - dive is long - holding W - where to practice flying - best griffon skin - how long can I stay in the air - do I have to be a pro to join your guild? 8:02 Outro

[@Duke.Of.Shostka]

The drawing sections are absolutely adorable :}

[@landladyification]

Thanks for this awesome guide! Finally the griffon "clicked" for me!

[@karoI508]

I absolutely adore this video: filled with knowledge presented in a fun manner. Thank you :)

[@jokanaan2486]

I don't even play the game but it's a really fun video. Great job!

[@katdrexed]

Thanks xD I did have great fun editing this video haha

[@DustinHarms]

Very entertaining way to present the info. I don't even have the griffon yet but you got me to watch the whole thing. :D

[@vaikos]

im sure other people know but you can get infinite height (however it takes quite some time due to the nature of it) by spamming summon griffon key and space. Essentially you mount, flap and dismount glide until you mount again (vigor still not enough for another flap so), mount-dismount-glide-mount again untill you can flap for height. the mount dismount/glide resets your falling speed so eventually you end up higher after each flap. Using the bond will give you and extra flap but i think the buff it's represented as dissapears when you re-mount.

[@katdrexed]

yepp you can do that 😊 also include the glider booster in the middle of it. Gj again Anet xD

[@ihadnoideathatgoogleallowe6551]

I've seen a lot of griffon flying tutorial but this is by far the most detailed one and the most helpful for a beginner like me. The humor is a plus too! Thank you so much! It cleared a lot of questions in my mind. The main things that prohibit me from flying well is I flap the wings right after the climb! And also you're supposed to climb all the way until your griffon levels out and I always don't do this... And guess what, I blame the ping (I play on Asia, the lowest ping I play is 250-275), when in fact I just suck. lol

[@katdrexed]

don't worry, it will come with a little bit of time and practice ^^ Also I do one on one griffon tutoring in our discord if you feel like you need more tips. :D (I have both Na and Eu accounts) And lastly, we have regular workshops = group flying where we practice together and hang out! (both Eu and Na)

[@traveling.down.the.road56]

@@katdrexed One on one training? I need to sign up for that. I’m on the NA servers, do you have a separate guild for EU and NA servers?

[@katdrexed]

yes we do have separate servers, most communication happens in the discord though so ask me there ^^ (you can dm me)

[@ColdMystery]

Im flying for at least 2 years and even I took a take or two I didn't know about yet

[@Stefo717]

I enjoyed this guide.

[@Kiboune_YT]

Thank you for tips!

[@aulstinebautista2274]

Got my griffon recently and i could say that i almost master it :D thanks for the info!

[@traveling.down.the.road56]

What a great video! I’ve had my Griffon for years, but I’m still not very good at it’s mechanics and rarely can regain my initial height after I dive. Thanks for the tips and detailed descriptions.

[@danielszatmari3243]

This was informative as well as entertaining, instant sub.

[@vortexoku5570]

Agreed!:D

[@farshidaz5923]

This is a next level guide :D i loved

[@MusPuiDiTe]

Hope more people see this: it's perfect!

[@AlaiaSkyhawk]

lol, the doodle of the crashing Griff near the start made me lose it with laughter. Awesome vid :D

[@katdrexed]

i took extra care to make sure to include all important details 🥳👍

[@knowledgedh7700]

holy shit i did not know about the super speed for almost two yrs until this video

[@katdrexed]

oof, I am truly sorry for ya ^^' Good that you have discovered it!

[@petrikillos]

0:29 MOM I'M ON TV

[@katdrexed]

ty again for letting me kidnap you xD

[@petrikillos]

@@katdrexed Anytime! :D

[@katdrexed]

@@petrikillos i need a pepe kek emoji for this xD

[@hanaaba6976]

gz for 10k views!^^

[@katdrexed]

holy shit ur right 0.0 Thanks!

[@tediloveu4582]

clap clap clap!!! You are the best teacher I could find, you teach very well!

[@machinimaaquinix3178]

Very well done. I managed to get gold on the two jahai adventures within an hour of watching this. Thumbs up and subbed.

[@katdrexed]

Great ro hear! btw If you are interested into more griffon content do check out our guild ;) (discord.gg/the-griffon-academy)

[@GRAMR]

This is pure gold 😂

[@TheAquarius87]

Thank you for the tips! Great music choice, also 😎🍻

[@ahmedkhan5628]

damm might have pressed S a few times while practicing the ride ... will try again tonight thanks for the guide :D

[@katdrexed]

good winds :P

[@Senayoshy]

Very cute video format, throughly enjoyed learning and watching this!

[@katdrexed]

thank you! the next chapter is on it's way ^^

[@johnthewolfheart8671]

Thank you for this! Great explanation and fun video. I had no clue about the dive and flap technique to gain more altitude than starting altitude. I just got the griffon and all the masteries and was so sad that I wasn't able to stay in the air infinitely.

[@katdrexed]

You got this ^^ If you get really into griffon you might wanna check out Wing ^^ We do a lot of the griffon flying xD

[@johnthewolfheart8671]

@@katdrexed I joined the discord after seeing this so I could see more :)

[@katdrexed]

I can see it ^^ Welcome to the totally not cult xD

[@johnthewolfheart8671]

@@katdrexed I see you :) I already got a lot better because of this, but trying to climb higher than initial point is still a challenge. Lost Precipice guild hall and Divinity's Reach was good practice for cornering. Found the speedometer in Blish HUD too. Might have to revisit my key binds.

[@valbrend9819]

1 year later… Yes ma’am!!

[@ThyWeepingWillow]

love the guide and the humor haha

[@katdrexed]

I had great fun editing it ^^

[@ZlyLudekPL]

Lmao fuck I didn't know you can do the speedup while diving, this changes a lot. That's what I get for not reading tooltips ;d

[@ajpuzzleferret]

An excellent and fun video, very impressed! :D Great work :D

[@katdrexed]

thanks! Wouldn't be possible without my friend ItchMug who helped me with the voiceover tho ^^

[@Blueboat-nl6yr]

For the ppl who are genuinely broke or become one after unlocking griffon, I recommend practice in capital cities like divinity reach, lion arch, rata sum as if u fail u can always use the waypoint at zero cost

[@katdrexed]

Cities are very good for it, also you can use griffon races as a returnable checkpoint or use the Prototype Position Rewinder - a griffon and jp must have!

[@chestnut4860]

I stumbled across the game from youtube videos yesterday, I think I might be the ultimate by joining the server right after getting the game...

[@finril5578]

I think that I am special, and I can use it because I have to be popular. It will definitely help me! High online :)

[@katdrexed]

what does that mean? I don't think i fully understand 🤔

[@macabrecreation1067]

Thank you

[@eisbee]

Another Sylvari the inquest is going to disect one day.

[@katdrexed]

0_0 ..unless that inquest is going to get eaten by our hungry griffons first.

[@Adnub]

@@katdrexed I think we can switch to feeding the griffons some Inquest instead of dolyaks for a while.

[@katdrexed]

@@Adnub i think they wpuld appreciate the change of diet ^^

[@maxzhu273]

0:41 treadmill griffon! :D

[@katdrexed]

ah yes, we have been working on keeping her fit lately, I fed her too many sacrifices 😅

[@awindai9067]

1:44 Of course, absolutely not. You bought it for professional purposes only. Who would use a mouse to fly a Griffon, amiright? 😂😂

[@katdrexed]

'pepesweat' u know me too well father

[@awindai9067]

Aaand you still call me father x3

[@katdrexed]

i cannot not

[@2Btoobee]

so this why most griffon racers i see avoid too bright or flashy stuffs, to watch the yellow thing

[@katdrexed]

Actually it's because the trail is staright up blinding. After flying for a while you don't need any speedlines to know that you're going max speed or the Ui to see when you can wingflap. ^^ But not seeing the terrain over the trail can be a annoying and forces you to zoom out which messes with your depth perception again. From my observation: most people that have been flying the griffon for a long time fly with a non-trail griffon all the way zoomed in. Most beginners fly zoomed out looking at the riffon from the top. To have a trail is nice and we like it but we usually use trailed weapons/back or (the rich birbs) use infusions.

[@tomaman258]

I love how adorable this guide is. -/////-

[@skyskierrful]

Thank you teacher!

[@EruElpidus]

Thanks for clearing up so many misconceptions I had with the griffon. If I do not spam wingflap when I am close to the ground, do I avoid colliding with the ground with climb?

[@katdrexed]

To not land wingflapping is enough, until you feel like you're gonna crash. Then just climp up as high as you can, then dive back. Reason: if you climb up only a little bit you lose speed and will start gliding to the ground faster because you're slower. Griffon naturally slides slowly downwards, but close to the ground the "ground effect" kicks in (it's a thing irl as well). The lower your speed is the faster you slide towards the ground. You can test that by not wingflapping at all and you will reach the ground at some point, just like a bird that glides to land. So to stay in the air infinitely all you have to do is pull up all the way and then dive back down when you want to get higher. I have another video on how to regain your lost altitude back ;) Do note that the geiffon can always return to it's mounting altitude or where it last touched ground, but not much above it. It's hardcoded impossible. So you do need to mount it at some higher place, but the skyscale solves this problem easily

[@ardidsonriente2223]

Loved your video!

[@katdrexed]

thank you!

[@GuruGeorge1111]

Thanks

[@Bromancer]

Thanks for the guide, was really struggling with why a flap out of climb would ruin momentum...

[@katdrexed]

Awesome that you figured it out! Yeah that flap is all about timing. If you flap it earlie or later than I showed it has no effect on the speed. ;)

[@Bromancer]

@@katdrexed Would it be worth flapping during a climb? Or only ever use it during dive for speed purposes?

[@katdrexed]

@@Bromancer yes if you want to get back up faster. A great example of that is in my other video named "How to regain your lost altitude back with griffon" or smt, you can check that one out ;P

[@Bromancer]

@@katdrexed Will do, thanks for the advice!

[@Razor4884]

Is there any purpose to flapping while ascending?

[@katdrexed]

Hi, glad you asked. It doesn't do much except make you regain lost altitude faster than if you did nothing. ^^ So don't worry about it too much if you're just beginning with your griffon.

[@ThiagoPalmeira]

I was so frustrated trying to fly the griffon, then came on YT for help. Found this and noticed I was making so many mistakes, like the flap after climb. Thank you very for this, now I can try later and see if I get less frustrated. xD Also, what's the song at 5:30?

[@katdrexed]

If you're interested into flying with us do join oir discord! We have regular flying group workshops with an overwhelming supportive griffon community ^^ #notacult

[@katdrexed]

and 5:30 is Megalovania from Undertale

[@Cardyall]

Good

[@snootdiver2573]

FATALITY! hahaha love it! :D

[@katdrexed]

xD I'm glad

[@fallbranch]

I always flapped too early. I was getting really frustrated.

[@katdrexed]

I love your pfp xD _TOOLS ROCKETBOOTS GOOO_

[@fallbranch]

@@katdrexed They used to be more useful back when you could still glitch out of the map. I actually have a video I made like... 7 years ago. I feel so old! It didn't catch on like your channel tho. The Void Trekking one.

[@katdrexed]

Nowadays we use mounts to break out of instances even, not just maps :D Times have changed... But engi is still my fav

[@Jund040]

Is there a way to level your mount more quickly?

[@katdrexed]

Short answer: no After you the speed boost griffon will continue downwards a little and you cannt do anything about it. That's why you want to boost as soon as possible so you can decide when to fly forward from a dive and don't facepalm the floor ^^'

[@jcantado3774]

how do u unlock the extra skills? c-b and , in your skills bar

[@katdrexed]

Those are crystal champion masteries, they come from Living World season 4 (Jahai Bluffs, Kourna, Istan, Sandswept isles, Dragonfall...) The orange one (Bonf of Vigor) is useful for flying griffons, it regenerates your mount stamina faster, can reccomend! Othervise you don't really need them. Unless you have created your account before the LS4 came out it will be locked for you, each episode costing 200gems (that is 80g atm, if you nees to buy gems by converting gold I reccomended waiting a bit) If you wanna get into griffon flying and don't want to unlock all the episodes yet go for episode 2 (Sandswept isles) which also unlocks the Prototyte position rewinder possibility, which is the MOST useful thing in the world. It's like a checkpoint that you can always teleport back to, usable anywhere anytime, jumping puzzles, whatever you need!

[@zinkdim8940]

wait why in the video 0:56 you go up there is wind all over u and u go up smoothly but in 6:12 its not very smooth I been having the not smooth hight and I wanna know how to get the smooth one

[@katdrexed]

It's simple pullup animation cancellation. To get the open wing one flap before you pullup. ;)

[@YuubiTimberwolf]

"I dont recommend anything with a blinding trial" Would Fire Pinion count to this as well? Thats the skin i aim to get, the trial seems short and its so pretty!

[@katdrexed]

It really depends on what color you put in it, but I would classify it as "rather blinding" since it is irregular with bright chunks constantly changing. The trail is fairly long as well. Also I find it extremely difficult to dye it anything but fire colors, and purple. It turned green when I tried some gray colors xD It is a really pretty skin with pulsating fur and elusive wings, looks like it's melting - it wobbles ^^ You can create nice transitions between colors on it's body. I don't reccomend it for serious stunt flying, no. If you want it and like it tho, go for it!

[@davids2cents594]

thank you so much for this video. i have been messing up pulling up for months i always flapped my wings has soon has i got has high has you can get before it leveled out. i do have one question what do i need to do to not lose all of my speed when pulling up i have seen videos where they dont seem to lose all of their speed and they go straight into another dive? the but griffons cant fly video is a great example. if you havent seen it i think you will like it

[@katdrexed]

for the wingflat after pullup it's a one specific milisecond after you let go of pullup. Wingflapping after pullup is jormal hut you have to wait for your griffon to level. As for rediving again after a pullup: i didn't tell you in this guide yet but you don't need to boost again if you don't pullup too much. So if you pull up and your griffon flies 90 and you redive you still have your superspeed. I have it planned onto my next guide 😎

[@ykh5397]

I want to get the griffon so ba d but I'm stuck with riverlands events :( No one is there to complete the event

[@katdrexed]

1ask in our discord for help 2 put up tag into lfg best and fastest way to get ppl to help reliably

[@katdrexed]

If that doesn't help I can organise a tag for you (eu or na), just let me know! (here or discord)

[@Kristex613]

08:00 is that music from Evangelion?

[@katdrexed]

Yess! Specifically an eurobeat remix for copyright reasons

[@justinauyeung1290]

What did it cost you to get a griffon?

[@katdrexed]

Finishing PoF story, 250 gold and 8 collections. To get better information on it go to the Wiki or search for guides on youtube ^^ I don't have a 'Getting the griffon mount' guide myself, and don't think i will since there are so many good ones already :D

[@blackcitadel37]

Awesome video. Is there any difference between climbing by holding only the climb button and climbing by holding both climb and dive button? With the second i noticed it goes up vertically like a missile. Is there any advantage in doing one or the other way? Tyty

[@katdrexed]

There is no difference. -well, as long as you don't start involving wingflap as well. The open wings is just a cancelled pullup animation, it's purely aesthetic. Easiest way is to cancel it with wingflap+pullup.

[@blackcitadel37]

@@katdrexed i see. will doing wingflap during pull up increase height or just kill momentum? it's so tricky to do it correctly kek

[@katdrexed]

@@blackcitadel37 It will help ypu regain your altitude back faster, but you still can't get much above your mounting point. And no, it will not kill momentum unless you do it right after letting go of climb. You will notice if that happens.

[@blackcitadel37]

@@katdrexed ah got it now. thanks a lot

[@procrastination3560]

:D nice. Ok I pull up xD

[@katdrexed]

yes, keep that altitude :D

[@NA-xg7lf]

I dont' even have griffon I just thought the thumbnail was funny

[@katdrexed]

xD It reflects the confusion of some unfortunate souls who didn't know boosting was a thing. 😂😭

[@Blueboat-nl6yr]

just get the turtle xd

[@katdrexed]

Actually :D there is a guild called The Turtle Academy [TAXI] (yes, turtle entusiast from Wing formed it)

[@Azeveco]

Hey, I downloaded this Speedometer. It's working fine so far, but do you know how to remove the window to the left with the buttons and select to choose a map? I only want the speedometer.

[@katdrexed]

what I did is to drag it to my other screen, but if you don't have a second screen you can't get rid of it. It's designed for custom races for beetles mainly, so not optimized for griffon flying. Sorry ^^'

[@Azeveco]

@@katdrexed ah, got it! Not a problem. You can drag the window to a second virtual desktop of Windows. It should work the same. Got it here :D Thanks!

[@katdrexed]

oh! a virtual desktop! I need that xD

[@Azeveco]

@@katdrexed just press Windows Tab and you can create a new one haha

[@katdrexed]

omg thanksss! I didn't know that ("Every day i learn something new" still stands true)

[@KhemBMD]

I have an extra guild slot can I join your cult, ahem I mean guild?

[@katdrexed]

But of course! xD Do leave your ingame name in the discord "guild" -> #guild-invite Make sure to also visit "Welcome" #introduction-channed and #role-assigement ;)

[@Dark_Wizard_of_Mu]

Funny

[@katdrexed]

_mission acomplished_ 👍

[@solotango5576]

Imagine a bird that can't fly from the ground but has to climb to a high point first. Useless.

[@katdrexed]

Would be too overpowered othervise, don't u think? Anet did a very good job on this mount. Besides, this is a guide for those who wanna learn to fly it. For griffon-use-discussion please go comment onto my other video about that topic. :) thank you

[@solotango5576]

@@katdrexed Mounts that actually "fly" are amazing. Other games have them and they're not "overpowered". This video is not about teaching how to fly but rather how to glide. Don't get me wrong either, I'm not discrediting the video, you did a great job for what it's about :)

[@katdrexed]

If you don't like griffon then don't use it lol 🤷 And i say flying because the griffon can not just glide but _unlike a glider_ keep it's altitude forever. Flying it doesn't really feel like gliding either. If you want to call it gliding with style / gliding fast that's fine tho, I don't mind.

[@katdrexed]

@@solotango5576 ...BTW did you know that the griffon actually _can_ take off of the groud _laughs in griffon helicopter_

[@ThyWeepingWillow]

@@solotango5576 other game have them and they happen to be not great. the reason gw2 is contantly praised for its mounts is because they have weight and special functions, rather than being unlimited balloons like final fantasy mounts for example. also- in real life, most bats cant take off from ground, and need some height to fly. but they fly- and dont glide. you know who does glide? sugar gliders. they can glide for short bits but land every other second and cant actually stay airborne :)

[@Malusdarkblade]

You missed the big where most of the events are bugged and will not complete, requiring multiple attempts, thus taking weeks to actually complete. Play a different game.

[@katdrexed]

no

[@tediloveu4582]

where would be a good place to practice? Could you share a wp please?

[@katdrexed]

I recommend Capital cities because the waypoints there are for free: Divinity's Reach, Black Citadel, Rata Sum For other maps I like Verdant Brink, Queensdale and all PoF maps. Btw: in our Wing discord we have many flying routes with videos that you can try and fly! They are rated by difficulty so you can choose how difficult you want to have it when practicing. And there is a lot of people who are happy to help too ^^

[@deltoir2214]

My only enemy when I use the Griffon: Lag 🥲

[@katdrexed]

Yeah, fps under 25 makes it not fun :c For some reason i get it in Cantha a lot...