World & travel
Getting to Ratchet, the Goblin Port of the Barrens (WoW 1.12.1)
How to get to Ratchet is a question every Horde player asks around level 12–15, and every Alliance player asks once they need to cross between continents. Ratchet is a neutral goblin port on the coast of the Barrens with a ship to Booty Bay. Here are all the routes on the WoW x5 server (Vanilla 1.12.1).
Contents
◆Where Ratchet Is
The port stands on the eastern coast of the Barrens, on the Merchant Coast, roughly halfway between Orgrimmar and Theramore. From the Crossroads, the main Horde junction of the zone, a road runs east to the sea and ends in Ratchet. The Barrens are a zone for roughly levels 10–25, so the trip to the port is safe even for new characters as long as you stay on the road.
Ratchet belongs to the Steamwheedle Cartel: it has an inn, a bank, a mailbox and a dock, but no auction house. Its services are covered in the Ratchet town guide; this page is only about getting there.
How to Get to Ratchet as Horde
Orcs and trolls (from Durotar):
- Leave Orgrimmar through the southern gate and head to Razor Hill.
- Turn west and cross the bridge over the Southfury River into the Barrens.
- Follow the road west past Far Watch Post to the Crossroads and pick up the flight path there.
- From the Crossroads take the road east down to the coast; it leads straight into Ratchet.
- Talk to Bragok, the goblin flight master, to unlock the point: from now on you can fly to the port from the Crossroads.
Tauren (from Mulgore): follow the main road east out of Mulgore to Camp Taurajo, go north along the Gold Road to the Crossroads and continue east as above.
Forsaken: take the zeppelin from Undercity to Orgrimmar and follow the orc route. More on the early journey in how to get to the Barrens and how to get to Orgrimmar.
How to Get to Ratchet as Alliance
The Alliance has no towns of its own in the Barrens, so the key step is to reach the port once and unlock the neutral flight path.
- By sea from the Eastern Kingdoms. From Stormwind travel to Booty Bay at the southern tip of Stranglethorn Vale and board the ship to Ratchet. The route to the bay is in how to get to Booty Bay.
- Through Theramore. Take the ship from Menethil Harbor to Theramore, unlock the flight path there and walk west through Dustwallow Marsh into the Barrens, then north along the coast to Ratchet. Details are in how to get to Theramore.
- Once Bragok's point is unlocked, fly between Ratchet and Theramore instead of walking.
Stay well clear of the Crossroads: it is a Horde town with elite guards.
Entrance and Things to Know
- Ratchet has no walls or gates: the road from the Crossroads runs straight to the houses, the pier is by the water on the east side of town.
- The ship sails between Ratchet and Booty Bay and does not wait long at the pier, so stay close when it is approaching.
- Neutrality. Goblin guards protect visitors and attack whoever starts a fight. Players of the other faction can still attack you outside the town, especially on the Barrens roads.
- The flight path in Ratchet is shared by both factions: it was added in patch 1.11, before that the Alliance had to walk.
- Wailing Caverns are not next to the port but southwest of the Crossroads; see how to get to Wailing Caverns.
Ratchet: Summary Table
| Route | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| On foot | Theramore, Dustwallow Marsh and the Barrens coast | Crossroads and the road east |
| By air once unlocked | Bragok's point, flights to Theramore | Bragok's point, flights to the Crossroads |
| From another continent | Ship from Booty Bay | Ship from Booty Bay or zeppelin to Orgrimmar |
| Hearth | Ratchet inn | Ratchet inn |
◆Hearthstone and Faster Travel
Set your hearthstone at the Ratchet innkeeper if you often sail between continents: the way back is then a single click. Druids from level 30 can shorten the Barrens roads with their class form.
HearthstoneBinds when picked upUniqueUse: Returns you to your home location. Speak to an Innkeeper in a different place to change your home location.
Travel FormDruid, level 3020% of base manaInstantTransforms the druid into a travel form, increasing movement speed by 40%. Also protects the caster from Polymorph effects. Only useable outdoors.
◆Why Go to Ratchet
For the Horde the port is a source of cartel quests and a sea gate to the Eastern Kingdoms; for the Alliance it is the southern doorway into Kalimdor. The quest order for the zone is in the Barrens leveling guide, and reputation gains are in the Steamwheedle Cartel reputation guide. Every ship and zeppelin in the world is listed in the travel guide, and the gryphon and wind rider network in the flight paths guide.
◆Related Guides
- Ratchet: port guide
- The Barrens: zone overview
- How to get to the Barrens
- How to get to Booty Bay
- Flight paths: full guide
- Travel guide
Ready for the goblin port? Create an account and connect to the server on WoW x5 — the Ratchet ship is already at the dock.
FAQ
?Where is Ratchet?
On the eastern coast of the Barrens in Kalimdor, east of the Crossroads. It is a neutral goblin port of the Steamwheedle Cartel, open to both factions.
?How does the Alliance get to Ratchet?
The easiest way is the ship from Booty Bay in Stranglethorn Vale. Another option is the ship from Menethil Harbor to Theramore, then on foot west through Dustwallow Marsh and north along the Barrens coast.
?Is there an Alliance flight path in Ratchet?
Yes. Patch 1.11 added Bragok, a neutral goblin flight master who serves both factions: the Alliance can fly to Theramore from here, the Horde to the Crossroads.
?Where does the Ratchet ship go?
To Booty Bay at the southern tip of Stranglethorn Vale in the Eastern Kingdoms. It is a direct route, both factions may board and no ticket is needed.
Related
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