Gamesradar Heavensward review

[sirDarts]

I don't like her thoughts on Aether Currents... There is no lore in purchasing flying and immediately being able to fly everywhere. Aether Currents were a fantastic implementation of flight in the zones without turning it into a huge gil sink like in World of Warcraft(where there is also zero story that involves flight). Aether Currents are a rewarding way of learning to fly, and I found running across the lands in search of them highly enjoyable. I saw so much of the world in search of them and that is why I love the Aether Currents so much ^^.

I love the idea of Aether currents.
I love the idea of having to explore the whole area on ground before being able to fly.
I do dislike the Aether currents being unlocked by doing quests. TBH I don't really recall if they explained why you can get Aether currents from someone, but it makes little sense.

[Chiramu]

I do dislike the Aether currents being unlocked by doing quests. TBH I don't really recall if they explained why you can get Aether currents from someone, but it makes little sense.

They teach you about the wind current in the area? You could make up your own head-canon for it too you know.

[sirDarts]

They teach you about the wind current in the area? You could make up your own head-canon for it too you know.

I know, but I just don't like any of the explanations I could come up with. When you attune to an Aether Current, you use your ECHO to feel how the Aether flows, how it behaves, and you carry that to your mounts, I just don't think that can be explained by another person or thing.

But maybe I am just not trying hard enough because I don't like the gating of them. Especially since several are behind MSQ, that's behind a level requirement, thus you usually are done with 80+% of the quests there by the time you get flying.
Sure, if you are a hunter, and are actually searching the areas, you WILL enjoy a LOT of flying there, but most people just passively consume LinkShells and/or shouts and don't explore the area anyways...