Crimson Desert features roughly 29 mounts spread across horses, bears, dire wolves, wyverns, mechs, and even a dragon. Most of them are tamed through an active minigame that tests your reaction speed with the analog stick or arrow keys. Some mounts, like the mech and dragon, are unlocked through story progression instead, but the core taming mechanic applies to every wild creature you encounter in the open world of Pywel (Pylune).
Quick answer: Approach a wild mount, press the interaction button to climb on, then repeatedly push the left stick (or arrow keys on keyboard) in the opposite direction the mount is pulling. Fill the yellow taming circle before the hidden timer runs out.
Taming controls by platform
| Platform | Mount interaction | Directional input |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 | Square button | Left stick |
| Xbox | X button | Left stick |
| PC (keyboard) | E key | Arrow keys |
How the taming minigame works
Step 1: Find a wild mount in the open world and get close enough for the interaction prompt to appear. Press the interaction button for your platform (Square on PS5, X on Xbox, E on PC) to climb onto the creature.
Step 2: Once you're on the mount's back, a circular progress indicator appears at the center of the screen. This circle needs to be filled completely with yellow to finish the tame. Watch which direction the mount bucks or pulls — if it lurches forward, yank the stick backward; if it veers left, push right. The key is always moving in the exact opposite direction.
Step 3: React quickly. There is a hidden timer running during the entire sequence. If you're too slow with your directional corrections, the mount throws you off, and you'll need to start over. Fast, decisive stick movements cause the yellow progress to climb steadily. Once the circle is completely filled, the mount is yours.
What happens after you tame a mount
Tamed mounts can be summoned at any time, similar to calling Roach in The Witcher 3. Flying mounts land near your position, while ground mounts run up to you — occasionally appearing in amusing spots like rooftops. You don't need to return to where you left them.
Every mount can be leveled up, and leveling unlocks combat skills unique to that creature type. A horse, for example, gains a rear-leg kick attack. Bears can maul enemies directly in front of them. These abilities turn mounts into active combat partners rather than simple transportation.
You'll also need to care for your mounts periodically, which appears to maintain or improve their stats over time. Stabling is part of the system as well — you can bring wild horses back to your camp after taming them.
Mount types and when you get them
| Mount category | Acquisition | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Horses (multiple breeds/colors) | Taming minigame in the open world | Early game onward |
| Bears | Taming minigame | Open world encounters |
| Dire wolves | Taming minigame | Open world encounters |
| Mech | Story progression | Mid game |
| Dragon | Story progression | Late game / endgame |
The dragon is intentionally gated behind the late-game story. It is extremely powerful — capable of wiping out entire enemy camps in seconds — and functions more as a reward for players pushing toward full completion. The mech arrives earlier through the main questline, roughly around the midpoint of the campaign. Both are locked behind specific story beats and cannot be obtained through the open-world taming minigame.
Companion animals beyond mounts
Taming isn't limited to rideable creatures. You can also tame a cat, which acts as a passive companion during combat. Once your companion level with the cat is high enough, it will automatically loot items from enemies you've killed during fights — saving you from manually searching every body on the battlefield. Other tameable animals likely offer similarly specialized utility, though the full roster of companion behaviors is still being discovered by players.
Verification that a tame succeeded
You'll know the tame worked when the yellow circle fills completely and the mount stops resisting. The camera will return to normal, and you'll gain full directional control over the creature. From that point forward, the mount appears in your collection and can be summoned freely. If the tame fails, you're simply thrown to the ground — no permanent penalty — and you can attempt it again immediately.
With nearly 29 mounts ranging from standard horses to a fire-breathing dragon, the taming system in Crimson Desert rewards patience and reflexes in equal measure. Master the directional minigame early, level your favorites for their combat skills, and save the dragon for when you're ready to steamroll whatever's left on the map.