The Complete Guide On How To Get A Mount In ESO: Fast Travel And Progression
Players can acquire their first mount in The Elder Scrolls Online by visiting a Stablemaster in any major city or claiming a free promotional offer through the Crown Store. While basic mounts cost 10,000 gold, upgrading your riding skills daily at a stable is the primary method for improving movement speed, stamina, and carry capacity.
Foundational Requirements and Resource Planning
Before embarking on your journey to acquire a mount, you must understand the logistical prerequisites within the Tamrielic economy. Mounts are account-wide assets, meaning once you unlock a mount on one character, it becomes available to your entire roster. However, riding skill upgrades are character-specific.
- Essential Gear and Currency:
- Gold: A minimum of 10,000 gold per character for the standard base-game horse.
- Leveling Requirement: There is no strict level requirement; you can purchase a horse as soon as you reach your first major city.
- Inventory Space: Ensure you have enough bag space if you intend to purchase inventory upgrades alongside your mount training.
- Time Commitment: Mount training is gated by a 20-hour cooldown per character, requiring consistent daily logins for optimal stat progression.
Procedure for Acquiring and Training Your Mount
Step 1: Locating a Stablemaster
Every major zone in The Elder Scrolls Online features a stable. You can identify these locations on your map by the horse icon. Once you approach the Stablemaster, interact with them to open the purchase interface. Under the Purchase tab, you will find four basic horse varieties: the Sorrel Horse, Bay Dun Horse, Piebald Destrier, and Chestnut Pony. These are functionally identical and serve as entry-level transportation.
Step 2: Executing the Purchase
Select the horse that suits your aesthetic preference and confirm the transaction for 10,000 gold. Once the gold is deducted from your inventory, the mount is immediately added to your Collections menu. You do not need to keep the horse in your inventory, as it is a permanent unlock.
Step 3: Equipping Your Mount
Press the U key on PC (or navigate to the Collections menu on console) to open the Mounts tab. Select your newly acquired horse and click the Set Active button. You can now summon your mount in any overland zone by holding the H key on PC or the designated summon button on controller.
Pro-Tip: Bind your mount summon to a quick-access key or radial menu slot. This significantly reduces downtime during questing when transitioning between locations.
Step 4: Daily Riding Skill Progression
The most critical aspect of mount ownership is not the mount itself, but the training. Every 20 hours, you can return to any Stablemaster to upgrade one of three attributes: Speed, Stamina, or Carrying Capacity. You can only perform one training session at a time, making this a long-term investment.
- Speed: Increases your movement speed while mounted. This is the priority for most players.
- Stamina: Increases the amount of damage your mount can take before you are dismounted and your personal stamina pool for sprinting.
- Carrying Capacity: Adds +1 bag slot to your character's inventory for each point invested.
Warning: Do not neglect training. If you stop playing for a few weeks, your mount will remain at the same speed tier. Set a recurring alarm or incorporate the visit into your daily login routine to maximize efficiency.
Eso Mount Horse at Emil Bentley blog
Mount Attribute Optimization and Comparison Metrics
The following table outlines the mechanical impact of training your mount attributes over the maximum progression threshold of 60 points per category.
| Attribute | Benefit per Point | Maximum Bonus | Primary Strategic Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | +1% Movement Speed | +60% Total Speed | Reducing travel time between quest objectives. |
| Stamina | +1 Stamina Point | +60 Stamina Points | Preventing dismounts from enemy knock-off attacks. |
| Carrying Capacity | +1 Inventory Slot | +60 Inventory Slots | Managing loot density and reducing bank trips. |
Addressing Frequent Mount Performance Issues
Failure to Summon in Combat
- Root Cause: The game engine prevents mounting while your character is in a combat state or under specific status effects.
- Actionable Fix: Ensure all nearby aggressive NPCs are dead or that you have successfully broken line-of-sight to drop combat aggro. Check for damage-over-time effects ticking on your character.
Riding Skill Cooldown Confusion
- Root Cause: Players often mistake the 20-hour training timer for a 24-hour daily reset.
- Actionable Fix: The timer is precise to the second you last performed a training session. Keep a mental note of when you last visited the stable or use a third-party add-on to track the cooldown precisely.
Dismounting via Enemy Attacks
- Root Cause: Your mount stamina is low, and your character is being focused by mobs.
- Actionable Fix: Prioritize training Stamina to at least 20 points early on. This creates a buffer that allows you to absorb several hits before being physically knocked off your mount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mount for free in ESO?
Yes, the game often provides a free mount as a reward for completing specific tutorial quests or through seasonal login rewards. Keep an eye on the Crown Store's "Freebie" section and participate in major events to claim promotional mounts.
Do different mounts have different speeds?
No, all mounts in The Elder Scrolls Online share the exact same movement speed and stats. Any difference in performance is entirely dependent on the riding skill points you have manually invested at the Stablemaster.
Does my mount level up while I ride it?
No, your mount does not gain experience or levels through usage. You must manually visit a Stablemaster to purchase and apply upgrades to your character's riding skills, which apply to whichever mount you have active.
How do I change the look of my mount?
Navigate to your Collections menu, select the Mounts category, and click on any unlocked mount to set it as active. Your riding skill stats will automatically transfer to the new model, ensuring you never lose your progress when switching aesthetics.
Master the art of traversal in Tamriel by prioritizing your daily riding training to navigate the vast zones of ESO with professional efficiency. Consult your Collections menu today to verify your mount status and begin your first training session at the nearest stable.
