The Black Market Auction House (BMAH) in World of Warcraft is a unique, hidden shop where players can buy rare game items.
The BMAH was introduced in patch 5.0.4 of World of Warcraft, the pre-patch for the Mists of Pandaria expansion.
It was designed to add a sense of mystery and adventure to acquiring rare items and to serve as a gold sink, removing large amounts of this currency from circulation to help regulate the in-game economy.
Unlike the regular AH, which can be easily located in any city, the BMAH offers super-exclusive collectibles that are hard to find anywhere else in the game: mounts (including TCG), tabards, transmogs, pets, shirts, and other valuable items. We’ll tell you more about them in this guide. We’ll also explain where the BMAH is located in The War Within (and earlier expansions) and give you tips on winning these auctions.
Here are some interesting facts connected with the Black Market Auction House:
- Location and Access: The BMAH’s location has changed several times throughout the expansions, often requiring players to discover its new location or access it through specific means, such as becoming best friends with Madame Goya in Warlords of Draenor or finding her in the new places in later DLCs.
- Madame Goya: The NPC who runs the BMAH, Madame Goya, has become somewhat of a mysterious figure in WoW lore due to her association with the Black Market and her appearances in various locations across expansions.
- Unobtainable Items: Through the BMAH, you can buy Swift Zulian Tiger, Mimiron’s Head, Tier 3 Armor Sets, and Spectral Tiger —the most desired collectibles in the game.
- Maximum Bid: Some items on the BMAH have seen incredibly high bids, with players spending millions of gold to secure rare mounts or gear. The highest bid is 9 999 999, which is the gold cap. It’s the sum that nobody can outbid (the next bidder won’t be able to bid 5% more than you).
Black Market Auction House Location
The War Within:
- Dornogal (64.6 53.0): The Fissure, a small corner of Dornogal, serves as the primary location for the BMAH in the Khaz Algar.
Dragonflight:
- Valdrakken (34.66, 60.50): under the Little Scales Daycare – The primary location for the BMAH in the Dragon Isles.
- Waking Shores: Near the Obsidian Bulwark – An alternative location where players can preview the auction’s offerings without the ability to bid.
Mists of Pandaria (MoP):
- The Veiled Stair (63.8 75.8): Specifically, at The Black Market, which is found down a path starting near the Tavern in the Mists.
Warlords of Draenor (WoD): - Nagrand (53.8 15.0): Ring of Blood – Madam Goya relocates here from The Veiled Stair.
Legion:
- Dalaran (71.0 18.6): The Underbelly – With the move of Dalaran to the Broken Isles, Madam Goya again relocates the BMAH to the sewers of the city.
Battle for Azeroth (BfA):
- Zuldazar (56.7, 46.3): Tortollan Refuge – Madam Goya moves the BMAH to this new location in Zandalar for Horde players.
- Boralus (63.6 62.6): Hook Point – An additional BMAH location for Alliance players in Kul Tiras.
Shadowlands:
- Revendreth (52.01, 83.66): Sinfall – Accessible for players who align themselves with the Venthyr Covenant, this location represents the BMAH’s presence in the Shadowlands.
How does the WoW BMAH work?
Only max-level players can access the BMAH, although the required level may vary depending on the game’s current expansion.
The items for sale change constantly, making it exciting to see what’s new and to try to outbid other players for cool stuff.
The auctions last about 24 hours, and the highest bidder at the end wins the item.
You cannot use the BMAH to sell items; it is purely for purchasing.
Bidding Process:
- Items are listed with a starting bid, and players can place bids to buy these items.
- Once the bid is placed, it cannot be retracted.
- There is no “Buyout” option; all items are sold to the highest bidder at the auction’s end.
- Auctions typically last for 24 hours, although this can vary.
- You can be outbid by other players, and you must place a higher bid if you wish to remain in contention for the item.
Winning the Auction:
- You win the item if you are the highest bidder when the auction timer ends.
- The item is sent to your in-game mailbox.
What you can buy in the Black Market?
Rare Drop Mounts
- Deathcharger’s Reins (Drops from Baron Rivendare in Stratholme)
- Reins of the Blue Proto-Drake (Drops from Skadi the Ruthless in Utgarde Pinnacle)
- Reins of the Drake of the North Wind (Drops from Altairus in the Vortex Pinnacle)
- Armored Razzashi Raptor (Dropped from Bloodlord Mandokir in the Zul’Gurub)
- Reins of the Raven Lord (Drops from Anzu in Sethekk Halls)
- Reins of the Vitreous Stone Drake (Drops from Slabhide in the Stonecore)
- Swift White Hawkstrider (Drops from Kael’thas Sunstrider in Magisters’ Terrace)
- Abyss Worm (Drops from Mistress Sassz’ine in Tomb of Sargeras)
- Ashes of Al’ar (Drops from Kael’thas Sunstrider in The Eye)
- Clutch of Ji-Kun (Drops from Ji-Kun in Throne of Thunder)
- Experiment 12-B (Drops from Ultraxion in Dragon Soul)
- Felsteel Annihilator (Drops from Archimonde in Hellfire Citadel on Mythic difficulty)
- Fiery Warhorse’s Reins (Drops from Attumen the Huntsman in Karazhan)
- Flametalon of Alysrazor (Drops from Alysrazor in Firelands)
- Ironhoof Destroyer (Drops from Blackhand in Blackrock Foundry on Mythic difficulty)
- Invincible’s Reins (Drops from The Lich King in Icecrown Citadel on Heroic difficulty in 25-man mode)
- Kor’kron Juggernaut (Drops from Garrosh Hellscream in Siege of Orgrimmar on Mythic difficulty)
- Life-Binder’s Handmaiden (Drops from Deathwing in Dragon Soul on Heroic difficulty)
- Living Infernal Core (Drops from Gul’dan in The Nighthold on Mythic difficulty)
- Mimiron’s Head (Drops from Yogg-Saron in Ulduar with no keepers assisted)
- Reins of the Astral Cloud Serpent (Drops from Elegon in Mogu’shan Vaults)
- Reins of the Azure Drake (Drops from Malygos in The Eye of Eternity)
- Reins of the Blazing Drake (Drops from Deathwing in Dragon Soul)
- Reins of the Blue Drake (Drops from Malygos in The Eye of Eternity and The Oculus as a rare drop)
- Reins of the Drake of the South Wind (Drops from Al’Akir in Throne of the Four Winds)
- Reins of the Heavenly Onyx Cloud Serpent (Drops from Sha of Anger in Kun-Lai Summit)
- Reins of the Onyxian Drake (Drops from Onyxia in Onyxia’s Lair)
- Reins of the Thundering Cobalt Cloud Serpent (Drops from Nalak on the Isle of Thunder)
- Shackled Ur’zul (Drops from Argus the Unmaker in Antorus, the Burning Throne on Mythic difficulty)
- Smoldering Egg of Millagazor (Drops from Ragnaros in Firelands on Heroic difficulty)
- Solar Spirehawk (Drops from Rukhmar in Spires of Arak)
- Son of Galleon’s Saddle (Drops from Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds)
- Spawn of Horridon (Drops from Horridon in Throne of Thunder)
- Reins of the Thundering Onyx Cloud Serpent (Drops from Huolon on the Timeless Isle)
- Reins of the Thundering Ruby Cloud Serpent (Obtained by defeating Alani in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, which requires collecting 10 Skyshards to form a Sky Crystal)
- Valarjar Stormwing (Drops from Stormwing Matriarch in Stormheim)
- Vile Fiend (Drops from Houndmaster Kerrax in Antoran Wastes)
Unobtainable Mounts (BMAH Exclusive)
- Reins of the Black Proto-Drake was originally obtained as a reward for completing the achievement Glory of the Raider (25 player) from the Naxxramas, The Obsidian Sanctum and The Eye of Eternity raids, during the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. The mount and the associated achievement were removed from the game with the launch of patch 3.1.0, which introduced the Ulduar raid.
- Swift Zulian Tiger (Original Zul’Gurub raid)
- Swift Razzashi Raptor (Original Zul’Gurub raid)
- Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake: Originally from the Wrath of the Lich King expansion’s Naxxramas raid achievements.
- Reins of the Mighty Caravan Brutosaur: Known for its auctioneer, this mount was moved to the BMAH after being removed from vendors in Shadowlands.
- Reins of the Grand Black War Mammoth for Alliance (Originally obtained from Vault of Archavon).
- Reins of the Grand Black War Mammoth (Originally obtained from VoA raid).
TCG (Trading Card Game) Mounts from BMAH
- Reins of the Swift Spectral Tiger
- Magic Rooster Egg (El Pollo Grande)
- Wooly White Rhino
- X-51 Nether-Rocket X-TREME
- Feldrake
- Blazing Hippogryph
- White Riding Camel
- Swift Shorestrider
- Amani Dragonhawk
Other Mounts that Can Appear on BMAH
These mounts have other primary acquisition methods but may also appear on the BMAH, offering an alternative way to obtain them:
- Swift Zulian Panther (Drops from High Priestess Kilnara in the Zul’Gurub raid)
- Reins of the Cobalt Primordial Direhorn (Drops from Oondasta on the Isle of Giants)
- Reins of the Amber Primordial Direhorn (Drops from Zandalari Warbringers)
- Reins of the Jade Primordial Direhorn (Drops from Zandalari Warbringers)
- Reins of the Slate Primordial Direhorn (Drops from Zandalari Warbringers)
- Riding Turtle (Obtained from the TCG or Fishing)
- Leywoven Flying Carpet (Crafted by Tailors)
- Reins of the Green Proto-Drake (Available through Mysterious Egg from The Oracles faction)
- Reins of the White Polar Bear (Obtained from Hyldnir Spoils, rewarded from daily quests in The Storm Peaks)
- Reins of the Rusted Proto-Drake (Obtained from completing the Ulduar raid achievements on 10-man difficulty)
Tabards from WoW Black Market AH
- Tabard of Flame – Originally from the Trading Card Game.
- Tabard of Frost – Also from the Trading Card Game.
- Tabard of Nature – Another TCG item.
- Tabard of the Void – From the TCG as well.
- Tabard of Brilliance – TCG.
- Tabard of Fury – TCG.
- Tabard of the Arcane – TCG.
- Tabard of the Defender – TCG.
- Tabard of the Lightbringer – Awarded from the Shadowmourne quest chain in Icecrown Citadel.
- Purple Trophy Tabard of the Illidari / Green Trophy Tabard of the Illidari – Originally obtained from a quest given by an item that drops from Illidan in Black Temple. Players choose between the green and purple version upon completing the quest.
Pets that you can buy at Black Market Auction House
- Banana Charm (From the TCG expansion, Through the Dark Portal)
- Dragon Kite (Loot card from the March of the Legion set)
- Hippogryph Hatchling (From the Heroes of Azeroth set)
- Rocket Chicken (From the March of the Legion set)
- Soul-Trader Beacon (From the Hunt for Illidan set)
- Spectral Tiger Cub (From the Scourgewar set)
- Tuskarr Kite (From the Scourgewar set)
- Blackfuse Bombling (Drop from Siegecrafter Blackfuse in Siege of Orgrimmar raid)
- Dark Quivering Blob / Quivering Blob (Drop from Primordius in Throne of Thunder raid)
- Droplet of Y’Shaarj (Drop from Sha of Pride in Siege of Orgrimmar raid)
- Gooey Sha-ling (Drop from Sha of Pride in Siege of Orgrimmar raid, Heroic mode)
- Ji-Kun Hatchling (Drop from Ji-Kun in Throne of Thunder raid)
- Kovok (Drop from Paragons of the Klaxxi in Siege of Orgrimmar raid)
- Living Sandling (Drop from Sand Elementals in Throne of Thunder raid)
- Pygmy Direhorn (Drop from Horridon in Throne of Thunder raid)
- Son of Animus (Drop from Dark Animus in Throne of Thunder raid)
- Phoenix Hatchling (Drop from Kael’thas Sunstrider in Magisters’ Terrace dungeon)
- Faction-specific Pets from Argent Tournament: Dun Morogh Cub, Tirisfal Batling, Elwynn Lamb, Durotar Scorpion, Mulgore Hatchling, Teldrassil Sproutling, Sen’jin Fetish, Enchanted Broom, Mechanopeep, Shimmering Wyrmling.
- Azure Whelpling, Emerald Whelpling, Tiny Crimson Whelpling (World drops from various zones)
- Captured Firefly (Drop from Bogflare Needlers in Zangarmarsh)
- Cat Carrier (Black Tabby) (Drop from mobs in Silverpine Forest)
- Darting Hatchling, Gundrak Hatchling, Leaping Hatchling, Razormaw Hatchling, Razzashi Hatchling (Found in nests in specific locations around the world)
- Deviate Hatchling (Drop from Deviate Ravagers and Deviate Guardians in Wailing Caverns)
- Dark Whelpling (Drop from various dragonkin mobs)
- Disgusting Oozeling (Found within Oozing Bags from slimes across the world)
- Giant Sewer Rat (Caught from fishing in the Dalaran sewers)
- Parrot Cage (Green Wing Macaw) (Drop from Defias Pirates in The Deadmines)
- Parrot Cage (Hyacinth Macaw) (Rare drop from mobs in Northern Stranglethorn and Cape of Stranglethorn)
- Proto-Drake Whelp (Drop from Skadi the Ruthless in Utgarde Pinnacle dungeon)
- Tiny Sporebat (Purchased with Sporeggar reputation in Zangarmarsh)
- Cat Carrier (Bombay), Cat Carrier (Siamese) (Purchased from vendors in major cities)
Toys from World of Warcraft BMAH
- Fishing Chair (A comfy chair for fishing, from the TCG expansion “Gone Fishin'”)
- Foam Sword Rack (Allows players and party members to pick up a foam sword to “fight” each other, from the TCG expansion “Blood of Gladiators”)
- Goblin Gumbo Kettle (Spawns a kettle that players can interact with to receive a Goblin Gumbo, causing belching smoke, from the TCG expansion “Servants of the Betrayer”)
- Goblin Weather Machine – Prototype 01-B (Creates a personal weather effect around the player, from the TCG expansion “Servants of the Betrayer”)
- Imp in a Ball (Gives random fortune-telling messages, from the TCG expansion “Through the Dark Portal”)
- Ogre Pinata (Spawns a pinata that, when destroyed, drops a pile of Pink Gumball, from the TCG expansion “Fields of Honor”)
- Paper Flying Machine Kit (Allows the creation of a paper flying machine that can be thrown to other players, from the TCG expansion “March of the Legion”)
- Picnic Basket (Creates a picnic area where players can sit and relax, from the TCG expansion “Through the Dark Portal”)
- The Flag of Ownership (Allows players to plant a flag on their defeated enemy’s body, displaying their victory, from the TCG expansion “Drums of War”)
Transmogs from Black Market
- Tier 3 Armor Sets (Originally from Naxxramas 40-man Raid):
With the original Naxxramas raid being moved and revamped in Wrath of the Lich King, these sets became unobtainable from their original source and now appear on the Black Market Auction House (BMAH). They are available to all characters of the same armor type:- Bonescythe Armor (Rogue)
- Cryptstalker Armor (Hunter)
- Dreadnaught’s Battlegear (Warrior)
- Dreamwalker Raiment (Druid)
- Frostfire Regalia (Mage)
- Plagueheart Raiment (Warlock)
- Redemption Armor (Paladin)
- The Earthshatterer (Shaman)
- Vestments of Faith (Priest)
- Unique Weapons:
- Sun-Lute of the Phoenix King – A very rare item known for its unique appearance.
- Arcanite Ripper – A guitar-shaped axe reminiscent of the famous Arcanite Reaper, known for allowing players to “play” it.
- Flintlocke’s Blasthammer – Known for its distinctive gun model, adding variety to ranged weapon appearances.
- Weapon Illusions:
- Illusion: Flames of Ragnaros – Originally from the Molten Core raid during the WoW Anniversary event, it can also be found in the Stolen Present during the Feast of Winter Veil.
- Illusion: Winter’s Grasp – Similar to Flames of Ragnaros, this can be obtained during the Feast of Winter Veil from the Stolen Present.
- Illusion: Deathfrost – Available from defeating Ahune during the Midsummer Fire Festival, offering an icy visual effect for weapons.