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06 Numbers and Powers

Black Desert Get Horse? How to Get Your First Mount

Card No. 06·23929 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Average pace 5.00 min/km
Average speed
12.00 km/h
Result
Finish time
50 min
You entered
Distance
10 km
You entered
You enter
Finish time, Distance
You get
Average pace, Average speed
Rounding
2 dp

Yes, you can get a horse in Black Desert Online, and you can obtain your first one very early in the game. You can either buy a cheap horse from a stable keeper in any major city, or you can catch a wild one in the open world. This guide explains both methods, how to raise and train horses, and answers common questions about mounts in BDO.

Formula

This calculator works out your average pace and speed for a given distance and finish time. The formulas are:

  • Average pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
  • Average speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Where:

  • Finish time (t) – the total time taken, in minutes.
  • Distance (d) – the distance covered, in kilometers.
  • Average pace – how many minutes it takes to cover one kilometer.
  • Average speed – how many kilometers you cover in one hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

  1. Average pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
  2. Average speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So with these inputs, your average pace is 5 minutes per kilometer and your average speed is 12 km/h.

How to Get Your First Horse in Black Desert Online

There are two primary ways to get a horse in BDO: buying one from a stable keeper or catching a wild horse. Both are available to new players from the start of the game.

Buying a horse: Visit any stable keeper (look for the horse icon on the map) in a city like Velia, Heidel, or Calpheon. Open the stable menu and select “Buy Horse.” You can purchase a Tier 1 horse for a small amount of silver (around 10,000–15,000 silver depending on the horse’s stats). This is the fastest and most reliable method for beginners.

Catching a wild horse: Wild horses spawn in specific areas of the map, most notably in the plains around Heidel and the southern regions. To catch one, you need:

  • A Lasso (purchased from a stable keeper or general goods vendor).
  • Some sugar lumps (used to calm the horse after roping it).

Approach the wild horse slowly (use the “walk” key, usually C on PC), equip the lasso, and use it when the horse is in range. After roping, press the interaction key to calm it using sugar lumps. Once the horse is calm, you can mount it and ride to a stable to register it.

Horse Tiers and Stats Explained

Horses in BDO are ranked by tiers (T1 through T9, with T10 as a mythical horse). Higher tiers have better base stats, more skills, and can be bred to produce even better offspring. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • T1–T2: Basic horses, slow, few skills. Good for beginners.
  • T3–T5: Moderate speed and stamina, can learn more skills.
  • T6–T7: Fast, good for long-distance travel, can learn Sprint and other advanced skills.
  • T8: The highest tier obtainable through normal breeding. Very fast, can learn all skills.
  • T9 (Dream Horses): Special horses like Doom, Arduanatt, and Dine. Obtained by awakening a T8 horse with specific items.
  • T10 (Mythical): The rarest horses, obtained by upgrading a T9 with special materials.

Each horse has four main stats: Speed, Acceleration, Turn, and Brake. These determine how the horse handles. Higher tiers generally have higher stat ranges.

Horse Training: Leveling and Skills

Once you have a horse, you can train it by riding it. Your horse gains experience from:

  • Riding it around the world (distance traveled).
  • Using the Auto-run feature (on PC, press T to toggle auto-run).
  • Completing certain quests that reward horse experience.

As your horse levels up (max level 30), it learns skills. Each tier has a set of possible skills it can learn. Some skills are essential:

  • Drift: Allows you to turn sharply while moving fast.
  • Instant Acceleration: A quick burst of speed.
  • Sprint: Increases top speed.
  • Charge: A damaging attack that can be used while mounted.

Skills are learned randomly when leveling up, but you can use Skill Change Coupons (purchased from the Pearl Shop or obtained in-game) to reroll a skill slot.

Breeding and Selling Horses

Breeding is a major part of horse content in BDO. You can breed two horses (male and female) at a stable keeper to produce a foal. The foal’s tier is determined by the parents’ tiers and their level. Higher-level parents produce better offspring.

To breed:

  1. Have a male and female horse that are both level 10 or higher (higher is better).
  2. Go to a stable keeper and select “Breed Horses.”
  3. Pay a breeding cost (silver and a Horse Breeding Token if the parents are high tier).
  4. The foal will appear in the stable, and you can raise it.

You can also sell horses on the Central Market. Higher-tier horses with good skills sell for a lot of silver. This is a common way to earn money in the game.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“My horse is stuck or won’t move.” This is often due to the horse being overweight or the terrain being too steep. Check your horse’s weight limit (shown in the horse info window) and try to avoid steep cliffs.

“Why is my horse so slow?” Low-tier horses are slow. Also, make sure you are using the “sprint” key (default Shift on PC) and that your horse has the Sprint skill.

“Can I have multiple horses?” Yes, you can own multiple horses, but you can only have one out at a time. The rest are stored in the stable.

“Do horses die?” Horses can be killed by monsters or fall damage. If your horse dies, you can revive it at a stable keeper for a small fee. If you don’t revive it, it will be lost forever.

Alternatives to Horses

Horses are not the only way to get around in BDO. Depending on your situation, you might consider:

  • Donkeys: Slower but can carry more weight. Good for gathering trips.
  • Camel: Available in desert regions, can travel in the desert without needing water.
  • Elephants: Very slow but can carry a huge amount. Used for trading.
  • Sailing: For crossing the ocean, you need a boat.
  • Auto-run on foot: Not fast, but free and always available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a horse cost in BDO?
A: A basic T1 horse from a stable keeper costs around 10,000–15,000 silver. Higher-tier horses from the Central Market can cost millions of silver, depending on tier and skills.

Q: Where can I find wild horses?
A: Wild horses spawn in several locations, but the most common are the plains near Heidel (southwest of the city) and the area around Western Guard Camp. They respawn over time, so you may need to wait or switch channels.

Q: How do I get a Dream Horse (T9)?
A: To get a T9 Dream Horse, you need a T8 horse that is level 30 and has at least 10 skills. Then you use a Dream Horse Awakening item (like a
“Dream Conch” for Arduanatt) on the horse. The awakening has a chance to succeed, and if it fails, the materials are consumed but the horse remains.

Q: Can I breed my horse without a male?
A: No, you need both a male and a female horse to breed. You can buy a male horse from the stable or catch a wild male.

Q: What is the fastest horse in BDO?
A: The fastest horses are the T10 Mythical horses, but they are extremely rare and require a long progression from T8 to T9 and then T10. Among T8 horses, the best stats are found on horses with high tier and good skill sets.

Q: Do horses need food and water?
A: Yes, horses have a “stamina” and “hunger” meter. You can feed them Carrots or Horse Food (purchased from stable keepers) to restore health and stamina. If you don’t feed them, they will eventually become slow and can die if health reaches zero.

Related

Formula used
in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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