A 
forum vista, often shortened to just vista, is the background displayed behind a player's avatar in the forums—as of June 8th, 2020, they can also be applied to dragons, appearing on the left side of its biography section.[1] In the early days of the site, vistas were rather exclusive, as they could only be sported by site staff, Kickstarter backers, and beta testers. With the addition of contest, Marketplace, and Coliseum vistas, they have become a common sight.
Vistas are decorative and serve no purpose besides looking nice (or in the case of staff members, to easily indicate their position). Once applied to your account, you can choose which forum vista to use via your Account Settings (this page can be accessed through the drop down arrow to the right of your username). To use a vista in a dragon's biography, click the Customize button underneath the dragon, then Vista, then select the one you want from the list of your account's vistas.
Previously, all forum vistas were personal and could not be traded to other users, unless one had an unredeemed Kickstarter code to give. On June 8th, 2016, tradable vistas were introduced: they appear in a player's hoard as consumable items, and are used to apply the vista to one's account.[2] Like all items, they can be sent through the Crossroads, Message Center, and Auction House!
Untradable Vistas[]
Staff Vistas[]
Vistas only obtainable by being a part of the Flight Rising team—past or present.
Kickstarter[]
Redeemable with codes obtained from the Kickstarter.
Contests[]
Given out as prizes for various contests held on the site.
Other[]
Tradable Vistas[]
These vistas appear in the hoard/vault and can be traded to other players as items. Once used, the item disappears and the vista is added to your account.
Coliseum[]
These vistas drop from monsters in their respective venues. Monsters that appear in more than one venue may drop the "wrong" venue vista.
Marketplace[]
Gem[]
These vistas can be purchased for gems when available. They cycle in and out over time, and may even retire some day.
Treasure[]
These vistas can be purchased for treasure.
Baldwin's Bubbling Brew[]
These vistas can be brewed in Baldwin's cauldron at the Trading Post.
Swipp's Swap Stand[]
These vistas can be traded for at Swipp's.
Arlo's Ancient Artifacts[]
These vistas can be unearthed from Arlo's digsites.
Elemental Holidays[]
These vistas were available for purchase at Festive Favors during their respective holidays. All of these can randomly be found in Spare Inventory Crates.
Night of the Nocturne[]
These vistas, only available in December during the Night of the Nocturne, are obtained in various ways.
Warrior's Way[]
These vistas, only available in August during Warrior's Way, are obtained in various ways.
Susie's Sweet Sentiments[]
These vistas are only available in February during Love is in the Air:
Sage's Seasonal Sundries[]
These vistas are only available at different times of year, aligning with the changing seasons of the Northern Hemisphere:
Pirate Day[]
These vistas, only available in September during Pirate Day, are all obtained from Patches.
Achievements[]
These vistas can be traded for at Avery's.
April Fool's[]
These vistas are either obtained from Marva's Marvelous Marvels during the first few days of April or from April Fool's Day 2024 chests.
Food Micro-Holidays[]
Retired[]
These vistas can no longer be obtained anywhere except from other players.
Other[]
Other tradable vistas.
