Horses and dragons cover a lot of ground in Crimson Desert, but the three mechanical mounts are in a different category entirely. These are pilotable exosuits that double as weapons platforms, and each one unlocks through a completely different method. One requires a boss kill, one needs a blueprint and crafting, and the third is locked behind a Chapter 11 faction quest. Here's exactly how to get all of them.
What are mechanical mounts in Crimson Desert?
Mechanical mounts are rideable armored exosuits built for travel and combat across Pywel. Unlike animal mounts such as horses, bears, or the dragon, these machines offer firepower, defensive plating, and unique utility features depending on the model. There are exactly three in the game: the Scout Automation, the Golden Star Mech, and the A.T.A.G (All-Terrain Armored Gear). Each one suits a different playstyle, so knowing what you want before grinding for it saves a lot of time.
Scout Automation crafting screen
How to get all 3 mechanical mounts
The table below gives you a quick comparison before diving into each unlock method.
Scout Automation: the explorer's exosuit
The Scout Automation trades combat power for pure utility. Its standout feature is infinite stamina, which makes it the best option for mapping out large areas without stopping. A built-in lantern also helps in darker regions. If your goal is covering ground efficiently rather than fighting from inside a mech, this is the one to grab first.
To unlock it, you need the blueprint. Head to Marni's Laboratorium Complex, located north of the Sanctum of Devotion. Inside, find the treasure chest that contains the Scout Automation blueprint. Once you have it, travel to the Delesyia Workshop and craft the mount there, provided you've collected all the required resources.
Blueprint chest in Marni's Lab
How to get the Golden Star Mech
The Golden Star Mech is the hardest mechanical mount to obtain and also the most combat-focused. According to Pearl Abyss's design, it functions as a heavy ground assault vehicle with serious firepower and durability. You don't craft this one; you take it from a boss.
During Chapter 11, the "Foreboding Shadow" main quest chain sends you to the Delesyia region near the Palace of Urdavah. There you'll fight the Golden Star Mechanical Dragon, a full boss encounter. Defeating it drops a unique Mount Key, which unlocks the Golden Star Mech for permanent use.
One thing worth flagging: some players have reported the unlock prompt not appearing after picking up the key, which appears to be a bug present at launch. If this happens, it's worth checking for patches before spending time troubleshooting. The fight itself is part of the main story, so you won't miss the encounter.
How to craft the A.T.A.G permanently
The A.T.A.G (All-Terrain Armored Gear) is the tank of the three options. It carries gatling guns, cannons, and defensive shields, making it the best choice for players who want firepower without sacrificing survivability. The tradeoff is speed: this thing is slow.
You actually get to pilot an A.T.A.G temporarily during Chapter 10, as part of the "Counterattack" questline defending the Ironflame Orc bastion of Gorthak. That's a preview, not a permanent unlock. For permanent ownership, follow these steps once Chapter 11 begins:
- Accept the "New Designs" faction quest at the start of Chapter 11.
- Travel to Zargan Tankworks in Gorthak Territory and speak with artisan Marek.
- Marek gives you the Small Kuku A.T.A.G. Design first.
- After receiving the Kuku design, Marek provides the full A.T.A.G. blueprint.
- Craft both the Small Kuku A.T.A.G. (used as a crafting material) and the full A.T.A.G. at the Mysterious Iron Pot Workshop in Hernand.
The A.T.A.G. requires two separate crafting steps. The Small Kuku A.T.A.G. is a material component for the main mech, not a standalone mount. Don't skip straight to the full blueprint without crafting the Kuku piece first.
A.T.A.G. in combat
Which mechanical mount should you get first?
If you're still in the mid-game and exploring, the Scout Automation is accessible earliest and gives you infinite stamina for traversal. It's the only mechanical mount you can realistically unlock before Chapter 11.
Once you hit Chapter 11, the A.T.A.G. is the stronger all-around pick for combat. The Golden Star Mech edges it out on raw firepower but comes with the potential unlock bug, so factor that in. For a full picture of how these three compare against the game's animal mounts, the complete list of all mounts in Crimson Desert is worth a look.
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