In New World, Aeternum is a vast and diverse land filled with expansive forests, dangerous swamps, rocky mountains, and bustling settlements. As you progress through the game, one of the biggest quality-of-life improvements you can make is acquiring a mount. Mounts offer a faster and more enjoyable way to traverse the world of Aeternum, reducing the time spent running between settlements, gathering points, and quest objectives.
While mounts weren’t part of the game at launch, they were eventually introduced, much to the excitement of players. The addition of mounts to New World has made the experience more immersive and convenient. Whether you’re looking to speed up your travel time or simply want to enhance your exploration of Aeternum, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a mount in New World, from unlocking the feature to selecting the best mount for your needs.
1. Why You Need a Mount in New World
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s first discuss why getting a mount is so beneficial:
Increased Mobility: Travel in New World can be slow and tedious, especially when you’re moving between distant locations. Mounts increase your movement speed significantly, allowing you to explore faster, complete missions more efficiently, and avoid danger more effectively.
Resource Collection: As you gather materials or complete quests, having a mount makes it easier to cover large areas quickly. This is especially helpful when you’re looking for specific resource nodes or rare materials scattered across Aeternum.
Fast Travel Alternatives: Although fast travel via Azoth is available, it’s limited by the availability of Azoth and costs Azoth to use. Mounts provide an alternative for those who wish to avoid the restrictions of fast travel.
Combat and PvP: While you can’t directly engage in combat while mounted, your mount can help you escape dangerous situations or reach a combat zone more quickly, which can be especially useful in PvP battles and wars.
Now that we know why mounts are important, let’s dive into how you can get your own mount in New World.
2. Mounts in New World: A Brief History
Mounts were introduced into New World with the Fall 2023 Update, which expanded the game with new content and gameplay features. Prior to the update, players were limited to walking or using fast travel via Azoth and campsites. The addition of mounts has been one of the most requested features, and it has brought a significant change to how players interact with the world.
Mounts in New World come in various types, each offering different benefits. Whether you’re looking for a simple steed to help you move faster or a premium mount with additional bonuses, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, unlike many MMOs where mounts are immediately available or can be bought at early levels, getting a mount in New World requires a bit of effort and dedication.
3. Requirements for Unlocking Mounts
To get a mount in New World, there are several important milestones and requirements you must meet. Mounts are not available to you right away, and obtaining one requires you to reach certain levels and complete specific tasks.
3.1 Reach Level 20
The first requirement for getting a mount in New World is to reach level 20. This is a key milestone in the game that unlocks many of the core features and content. By this point, you will have experienced the game’s mechanics, including gathering, crafting, and combat, and you’ll be ready to progress to a more advanced stage where mounts become relevant.
Leveling up in New World takes time and effort, and you’ll need to complete quests, battle enemies, and explore the world to reach level 20. The good news is that this milestone is achievable relatively early in your journey, and once you reach level 20, the path to obtaining a mount becomes available.
3.2 Complete the Mount Unlock Questline
Once you reach level 20, the next step is to complete the questline that unlocks mounts. The “A Steed of Aeternum” questline is available in Reekwater, which is one of the later regions you’ll explore. This questline introduces you to the basics of mounts, showing you how to care for them, use them effectively, and acquire one for your own use.
The quests are simple but require you to gather specific materials, speak with NPCs, and complete some challenges. The main goal of the questline is to familiarize you with the mechanics of mounts and to prepare you for the responsibility of owning one.
3.3 Purchase a Mount from the Stable
After completing the questline, you will be able to purchase your first mount from the Stablemaster, who can be found in major settlements across Aeternum. The Stablemaster sells different types of mounts, each with their own characteristics and appearance.
Mounts are not free, and you’ll need to pay a significant amount of New World Gold to acquire one. The cost of a mount will vary depending on the type, size, and location of the mount, but generally, you can expect to spend between 5,000 to 10,000 gold for your first mount.
In addition to gold, mounts may require you to gather special resources or crafting materials, which may be available through gathering or purchasing from other players.
3.4 Choose a Mount
Once you’re able to purchase a mount, the next step is choosing the right one for your playstyle. There are different types of mounts, each with unique benefits, and choosing the right one will depend on your preferences and needs.
Basic Mounts: These mounts offer basic speed boosts, providing a quick way to travel across Aeternum without any additional bonuses. They’re the most affordable and commonly used by players who want a reliable mount for everyday use.
Premium Mounts: Premium mounts offer additional benefits such as faster movement speed, greater stamina, and other bonuses. These mounts are more expensive but can help you travel faster and farther without the need to dismount. They may also have more aesthetically pleasing designs.
Special Mounts: These mounts are usually obtained through special events, achievements, or higher-level quests. They often feature unique designs and may provide special bonuses such as faster movement speed or improved stamina regeneration.
3.5 Paying the Mount Tax
Once you’ve selected a mount, you’ll be required to pay a mount tax each week to maintain your ownership. This tax is determined by the size and location of your mount and is usually a small fee that helps balance the game’s economy. The tax amount will be listed in the Stablemaster’s menu, and you’ll need to pay it regularly to keep your mount.
4. How to Use Your Mount
Once you’ve acquired your mount, it’s time to start using it! Mounts in New World offer an easy way to get around, and they provide several features that can be utilized for both convenience and fun.
4.1 Mounting and Dismounting
To mount your horse, simply press the designated button on your keyboard (usually H by default on PC). Dismounting is just as easy—press the same button again, or move near an object like a camp or settlement, and you’ll automatically dismount. It’s important to note that you cannot mount while in combat or near aggressive creatures, so be sure to dismount before engaging in battle.
4.2 Stamina Management
Your mount has a stamina bar that depletes as you ride. Once the stamina runs out, you’ll need to slow down and let it recharge, or you’ll be forced to dismount until the stamina is replenished. Managing stamina is crucial, especially during long-distance travel or when escaping enemies.
4.3 Combat and Mount Usage
While you cannot directly engage in combat while mounted, mounts provide an excellent way to escape danger. If you’re being attacked by enemies or other players, you can mount your horse and escape more quickly, using your increased movement speed to outrun your foes. Mounts can also be useful for reaching combat zones more rapidly, making them a great tool for PvP battles and wars.
5. Customizing Your Mount
New World allows you to customize your mount to some extent, offering a range of aesthetic options to make your mount unique. You can change the color of your mount, apply different saddles, and even add cosmetic accessories like saddlebags, horse armor, and decorative reins.
These customizations help make your mount feel like your own, and they allow you to stand out in the world of Aeternum. While mounts cannot be fully customized in the same way as characters, the available options offer enough variety to personalize your riding companion.
6. Conclusion
Getting a mount in New World significantly improves your experience by offering faster travel, more efficient resource collection, and an added layer of immersion. Mounts are not available from the start, but once you reach level 20, complete the necessary quests, and earn the cheap New World Gold coins required, you’ll be able to add a mount to your collection.
Mounts in New World are more than just a mode of transportation—they serve as an essential tool for exploration, combat, and convenience. Whether you’re looking to move faster across the world or customize a unique mount to call your own, acquiring a mount will enhance your Aeternum experience in ways that make long travels feel much more enjoyable.