Crimson Desert Horse Taming Guide: Master Every Wild Mount

Mounts in Crimson Desert are far more than a fast-travel shortcut. Pearl Abyss has packed 29 distinct creatures into the game, ranging from warhorses and frost raptors to mechanical siege walkers and full-flying dragons. Taming wild horses is one of the first skills you will need, and the mechanic carries over to many other creatures throughout the land of Pylune. Whether you are chasing the Midnight Runner across the plains or hunting down an Armored Ankylo in the Bone Fields, this guide covers everything you need to know.

How Do You Tame a Horse in Crimson Desert?

Taming a wild horse involves a short but punishing mini-game that catches many players off guard the first time. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Locate a wild horse in the open world and approach it carefully.
• Press the ride interaction button to mount it. On PS5 use Square, on Xbox press X, and on PC press E.
• A circular taming meter appears at the center of the screen. Your goal is to fill it completely in yellow.
• The horse will buck and pull in random directions. You must push the Left Stick in the exact opposite direction to counter each movement. If the horse lurches forward, pull back. If it pulls left, push right.
• There is a hidden time limit on the entire sequence. Move too slowly and the horse throws you off, forcing you to start again.
• Keep countering each movement consistently and the meter fills until the tame is complete.

According to multiple sources covering Crimson Desert, this same counter-input mechanic applies to other tameable creatures in the game, not just horses. Mastering it early pays off across many encounters.

What Are All the Horse Mounts and Their Stats?

Horses are the earliest mounts players access in Crimson Desert and remain among the most practical for long-distance travel. Each horse has distinct strengths, and choosing the right one depends on your playstyle and the terrain you frequent. For a deeper look at stabling, leveling, and healing horses, the PC Gamer guide on taming and leveling horses in Crimson Desert is worth reading alongside this one.

Plains Stallion mount stats view

Horses sit at the top of the speed rankings among land mounts and allow mounted combat, including arrow fire and sword swings from the saddle. Their only native attack is a back kick, so the rider carries most of the offensive load.

All 29 Crimson Desert Mounts at a Glance

Crimson Desert features 29 mounts across eight categories. Here is the full roster confirmed by Pearl Abyss:

• Dragons and Wyverns: Abyssal Dragon, Ember Wyvern, Highland Wyvern, Storm Drake
• Dinosaurs: Armored Ankylo, Jungle Strider, Steppe Ceratops
• Bears: Black Bear War Mount, Crimson Grizzly, Ironhide Cave Bear, Pailune Snow Bear
• Horses: Dappled Palfrey, Desert Charger, Greymane Warhorse, Midnight Runner, Noble Destrier, Plains Stallion
• Raptors: Delesyian Swift, Frost Raptor, Sand Raptor
• Lizards: Frost Salamander, Rock Lizard, Sand Skimmer
• Mechanical: Golden Star Mech, Scout Automaton, Siege Walker
• Exotic: Abyssal Spider, Phantom Steed
• Direwolf: Exact location unconfirmed at launch

How Do You Obtain Non-Horse Mounts?

Not every creature in Crimson Desert follows the standard taming mini-game. The method varies significantly by mount type.

Tameable Wild Creatures

Many mounts, including bears, raptors, lizards, and some dinosaurs, use the same counter-input taming mechanic as horses. The key differences are location requirements and prerequisite skills:

• Armored Ankylo (Bone Fields) and Steppe Ceratops (Hernand Steppe plains) can be tamed in the wild.
• Pailune Snow Bear requires visiting the Pailune Mountain caves.
• Rock Lizard is found along the Hernand Canyon Walls.
• Abyssal Spider requires the Beast Taming skill before a tame attempt is possible.
• Storm Drake can only be tamed atop the Tesla Ruins during an active storm event.

Quest and Faction Rewards

Several high-value mounts are not tameable at all and must be earned through progression:

• Highland Wyvern is a reward for completing the Dragon Ridge Wyvern Egg quest.
• Abyssal Dragon is tied to the Abyss storyline.
• Phantom Steed drops from the Ghost of Gian legendary side quest.
• Greymane Warhorse requires building reputation with the Greymane Faction.

Craftable Mechanical Mounts

Mech mounts cannot be tamed. Instead, they are built from blueprints:

• Scout Automaton is crafted at the Delesyia Workshop after obtaining the blueprint.
• Siege Walker blueprint drops from the Delesyian Automaton boss.
• Golden Star Mech requires a mount key dropped from the Golden Star boss.

Which Mount Type Is Best for Your Playstyle?

Choosing a mount in Crimson Desert comes down to what you need most at any given point in the game.

For early-game players, horses remain the most accessible and versatile choice. Once you hit mid-game, raptors like the Sand Raptor (Speed 90) and Delesyian Swift (Speed 85) compete seriously with the fastest horses for pure mobility. For a full breakdown of every mount's stats and acquisition path, the Crimson Desert Wiki and Walkthrough Guide on Beebom is an excellent companion resource.

Tips for Taming Mounts Efficiently

• Prioritize the Beast Taming skill early if you plan to hunt exotic mounts. The Abyssal Spider is locked behind it and is one of the most versatile traversal mounts in the game.
• Time your hunts for event mounts. The Storm Drake only appears during storm events at Tesla Ruins. Missing the window means waiting for the next event cycle.
• Use the Plains Stallion as a practice dummy. Since it is your starter horse, use it to get comfortable with the taming counter-input mechanic before attempting harder creatures.
• Faction reputation unlocks mounts passively. Building Greymane Faction standing rewards the Greymane Warhorse without requiring a tame attempt at all.
• Mech blueprints are worth farming. The Scout Automaton's infinite stamina makes it invaluable for long sessions, and the Delesyia Workshop is accessible before the end-game.

For more tips on navigating Crimson Desert's systems, browse the latest guides on GAMES.GG to stay ahead of the meta as Pearl Abyss continues to update the game.