WoW Forever Mount Controls & Keybinds That Work

If you’re playing on a “forever” (private) World of Warcraft server, the mount controls and keybinds that work are the same as any other WoW client: the default keybinds are B to open your mount collection and Shift+B to summon a random mount, but you can rebind them in the Key Bindings menu under “Targeting” or “Miscellaneous” depending on your client version. This article explains the exact steps, the most useful custom keybinds, and how to fix the common problem where your mount keybind stops working.

Why Mount Keybinds Seem Different on Forever Servers

Forever servers (often called private servers) run on emulated WoW cores that replicate a specific expansion, most commonly Wrath of the Lich King (3.3.5a) or Cataclysm (4.3.4). Because these cores are based on older client builds, the in-game menu structure and default keybinds are from that era. For example, in Wrath of the Lich King, the default keybind for opening your mount tab is Shift+B (which opens the mount journal), while in later retail versions it’s Shift+P for the mount journal. If you’re used to retail, you’ll need to relearn or rebind.

Also, many forever servers use custom patches or addons that alter the mount system. Some servers add a “mount all” macro or a special mount button in the UI. Always check if your server has a custom mount interface before changing your keybinds.

Default Mount Keybinds by Expansion

Here are the default keybinds for opening the mount collection and summoning a random mount in the most common WoW clients:

• Wrath of the Lich King (3.3.5a): Open mount journal: Shift+B. Random mount summon: Shift+B (same button, press again to summon a random one).
• Cataclysm (4.3.4): Open mount journal: Shift+P. Random mount: Shift+P (press again).
• Mists of Pandaria (5.4.8): Open mount journal: Shift+P. Random mount: Shift+P.
• Retail (Dragonflight): Open mount journal: Shift+P. Random favorite mount: Shift+Click on the mount button, or use the keybind “Summon Random Favorite Mount” (default: unbound).

If you don’t see these keybinds in your Key Bindings menu, it’s because your client version doesn’t have a mount journal. In that case, you’ll need to create a macro to summon a random mount.

How to Change Mount Keybinds (Step-by-Step)

To change your mount keybind on any WoW client, follow these steps:

1. Press Esc to open the main menu.
2. Click Key Bindings (or “Keybinds” in some clients).
3. Scroll down to find the category that contains mount actions. In Wrath, it’s under “Targeting” (look for “Open Mount Journal” or “Random Mount”). In Cataclysm and later, it’s under “Miscellaneous” or “Mounts”.
4. Click the current keybinding (e.g., “Shift+B”) and press the new key you want to use (e.g., Alt+1).
5. Click Okay to save.

If you don’t see any mount-related keybind, your client likely doesn’t have a mount journal. Use the macro method below.

Creating a Mount Macro That Works Everywhere

If your forever server doesn’t have a mount journal, or you want a single keybind that summons a random mount from your spellbook, use a macro:

1. Open your macro interface (Esc > Macros).
2. Create a new macro and name it something like “Mount”.
3. Paste this macro into the body:
   /run C_MountJournal.SummonByID(0)
   This works on Wrath and later clients. If it doesn’t work, try:
   /cast Random Mount (for very old clients).
4. Drag the macro to your action bar and assign a keybind to that action bar slot.

Alternatively, use the addon GupPet or MountsThatFly (if available for your client) to get a dedicated mount button with keybind options.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most common mount keybind issues on forever servers and how to solve them:

• Keybind doesn’t work at all: Check if you have an addon that overrides the keybind (like Bartender or Dominos). Reset your keybinds to default first, then rebind.
• Mount journal opens but doesn’t summon: Make sure you have at least one mount in your collection. If you’re in a no-fly zone, the game won’t summon a flying mount.
• Shift+B opens bags instead: Some servers have a custom UI that rebinds Shift+B to bags. Go to Key Bindings and find the “Open All Bags” action, change it to something else, then rebind mount.
• Macro doesn’t work: The macro command C_MountJournal.SummonByID(0) only works on clients that have the mount journal API (Wrath and later). If you’re on a vanilla (1.12) server, you need to use /cast with your mount’s exact name.
• Keybind resets after restart: This is often caused by a read-only WTF folder. Make sure your WoW folder isn’t set to read-only, and that you have write permissions.

Best Keybinds for Mounts (Recommendations)

While personal preference matters, these keybinds are widely used and efficient:

• Alt+1 or Alt+2 for summon random mount (easy to reach with your thumb).
• Shift+Space for mounting while moving (if you have a gaming mouse or keyboard with extra keys).
• Mouse button 4 or 5 (side buttons) for instant mount access without touching the keyboard.
• F12 or F11 for a secondary mount (e.g., ground mount vs flying mount) if you use macros.

If you use the default action bar, you can also put the mount on a hotkey like 1 or 2 if you’re a class that doesn’t need those for combat. But most players prefer a dedicated key that doesn’t conflict with abilities.

Addons That Improve Mount Keybinds

On forever servers, addons are usually allowed and can greatly improve the mount experience. Some popular ones that work on Wrath and Cataclysm clients:

• GupPet – Adds a mount button that can be keybound, with random mount selection and ground/flying logic.
• MountsThatFly – Automatically picks a flying mount in flyable areas and a ground mount elsewhere.
• Mounter – Simple mount journal replacement with keybind support.
• Bartender4 – Allows you to assign keybinds to any action bar slot, including a mount button.

Make sure to download the correct version for your client (e.g., 3.3.5 for Wrath). Using a retail version will cause errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my mount keybind only work sometimes?

This usually happens when you’re in a zone where flying is disabled, or when your character is in combat or in a restricted area (like a dungeon). The game will not summon a mount if you cannot mount up. Also, if you’re using a random mount macro, it may fail if you have no valid mounts for the current zone.

Can I use the same keybind for both ground and flying mounts?

Yes, if you use the mount journal’s random mount feature, it will automatically choose a ground mount in no-fly zones and a flying mount in flyable zones. If you use a macro, you can write a macro that picks based on your zone, but that’s more complex. The simplest solution is to use the default mount journal.

What if my server doesn’t have a mount journal?

If you’re on a vanilla (1.12) server or a very early TBC server, there is no mount journal. You’ll need to create a macro with /cast [flyable] Flying Mount Name; Ground Mount Name or simply bind two separate keys for each mount. Some servers also have a custom mount button in the UI, so check your server’s addon or interface options.

How do I reset my keybinds to default?

Go to Key Bindings and click the “Reset” button at the bottom. This will restore all keybinds to their defaults. If you want to reset only mount keybinds, you can’t do that individually; you’ll have to change them manually.

Can I use a one-button mount macro that works on all forever servers?

No, because the API differs between clients. The macro /run C_MountJournal.SummonByID(0) works on Wrath and later, but not on vanilla. For vanilla, you need to use /cast with the exact mount name. If you play on multiple servers, you’ll need separate macros or addons.

Why does my keybind show as “Unknown” in the menu?

This is a UI bug that can happen after a patch or when an addon changes keybinds. Try disabling all addons, resetting keybinds to default, then re-enabling addons. If it persists, delete the bindings-cache.txt file in your WTF folder (the game will recreate it).

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