The Hunt for Vial of the Sands

Community General Discussion
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Hey folks!

For those who aren’t aware, the Vial of the Sands recipe is used to transform the player into a Sandstone Drake! Getting the recipe on the other hand has a lot to do with RNG. First off, you need to have your Archaeology skill up to at least 450 before you can even see Uldum dig sites (needed for the recipe). Then you need to wait for the Canopic Jar to appear as the artifact that you’re trying to solve. And from there, you have a 2% chance that the recipe will actually be inside according to Wowhead. RNG wrapped in RNG topped with more RNG.

There is a faster way involving getting the Mantid kit from Brann Bronzebeard in Vale of Eternal Blossoms and farming Mantid sites to trade them for Uldum crates, but it’s still a lengthy process.

I wanted to create this thread to see how other people are doing on their own progress and how many jars you’ve opened so far in your own hunt? I’ve opened six jars so far. No recipe. Will continue to update as a I continue to hunt for Vial of the Sands :slight_smile:

EDIT #1: I’ve currently farmed 313 Mantid artifacts and turned all but 52 of them into Brann for the Uldum crates (waiting until I get to 102 before turning in the next batch, and the extra 2 are for buying another Mantid Kit if needed). So far, I’ve farmed 65 Uldum artifacts (which includes two rares). Of those 65 artifacts, only 6 have been Canopic Jars. So far, no recipe from any of the jars.

EDIT #2: I GOT IT!!! I GOT IT!!! 8th Canopic Jar! I HIGHLY recommend the Mantid Kid method for this! Best of luck to all others seeking it!

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Twice upon a time, I decided to try for that recipe - once during Cataclysm, and once again at the end of MoP. After hours and hours of soul-crushing disappointment, I realized I could just by the vial of the sands off the AH for an extra 10k gold over my estimated price of the raw materials, and be done with it forever. I’ve never looked back since.

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Meh I got my recipe on my first jar.

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I’ve opened about 10 Jars and ended up getting the Ultramarine Battle Tank instead. I gave up after that then just bought the Vial on the AH.

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I think it took me about 5 months of constantly doing digs on Kalimdor to get them to reset in Uldum. I don’t know how many jars it took though. I just know I had Uldum memorized and did not have to open the map to find places after awhile. I had a friend who gave up looking for the recipe and just bought the mount on the AH before I started playing. I have more patience lol I still need the bug mount though so I may have to go back for round 2 :slight_smile:

EDIT: Looks like I’ve completed 6 jars. Not sure if any came after I got the recipe (perhaps 1 as I did a few sites and traded in the crates for pieces after I had it). I think for me it was getting the jar to pop up in 1st place that took the most time.

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I still don’t have the recipe on this toon. I’ve farmed off and on since Cata. I’ve lost count of how many jars I have solved and opened.

Luckily, my Alliance alchemist has it, but I’d like the ability to generate a bit of extra cash over here on Horde.

Maybe I’ll try the Mantid method …

Edit update: Posting in this thread re-ignited my drive to get the recipe, and I got it yesterday, opening my 19th canopic jar! I used the mantid method to farm, and I HIGHLY recommend it! Also, my wife was looking over my shoulder when I opened the jar containing the recipe, so I credit her for being my “good luck charm,” not that that’s of any help to anyone but me, of course!

Good luck to all seekers! Keep the faith!

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I’d give you a cookie but you look like you’ve had far too many.

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I think I got it on my alchemist after a couple months in WoD. I don’t remember how many jars, but it was hours upon hours of grinding. Today it might not be worth it, since there’s so many people with it and that have it.

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So i unlocked this on my Paladin way back when it first came out, made the mount, then later i deleted that paladin to make a Goblin Warrior…

I didn’t realize it was so rare. I already have the mount but if i could still make the dang thing… Sigh

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aww that sucks man :persevere:

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It took me 19 jars to get the recipe; it was current content then, so I don’t think I could buy crates by a vendor. Just had to keep digging. And digging. And digging.

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I got it on my third canopic jar, when it was first in the game (on my main Hunter.)

Then, during Legion, I dropped Alch and Eng on my main. I picked up herb and mine as with this character, then made Uber Thousands of gold. I remembered that I never had the gold to actually MAKE the Vial of the Sands mount.

Then, like every other sub 1 million mount on the AH, I just bought it for 60 K or something.

So it was funny that I got the recipe, could never afford it (left just after WoD started, until Legion), dropped Alchemy without remembering, then just bought it off the AH.

I really wanted the stupid bug, still turning in restored artifacts to try to get that.

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When I got it, it took quiiiiiiite a few solves…

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Thank you for sharing your experiences! I’m hoping this information will help others who are also hunting for the recipe :slight_smile:

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You have Alchemy as one of your professions correct? You need to have this profession to see the recipe.

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Sure do! Maxed out except for BfA. Waiting until flying is introduced before wrapping up BfA Alchemy :slight_smile:

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I opened dozens of jars, gave up and bought it.

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I got it on my horde alchemist fairly quickly, but gave up getting on my alliance one. Leveled that toon through cata just by doing digsites and picking flowers.

I wish you luck.

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Good luck it took me 3yrs of digging daily to get that recipe.Now it is easier to do without digging the sands of time.

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This is one of those things I’ve never bothered to do, but probably should someday.

Stupid question time, and too lazy to Google; does your alchemist also have to be your archaeologist?