Greetings, Adventurers!
Traverse Aeternum faster, express yourself, and complete time trials with customizable mounts. There’s also a new Riding Trade Skill to master. How will you level up your trusty companion for even quicker travel? Here’s everything you need to know about the new feature coming in Rise of the Angry Earth on October 3.
Overview
Whether you prefer to ride a Horse, Dire Wolf or Lion all three types of mounts will double your standard sprinting speed. Summon your favorite from almost any location outside of combat. As you progress, you’ll earn mount buffs and attachments to further personalize your new best friend.
Riding Trade Skill Progression
Complete mount quests or feed your mount to gain Riding XP and level up your Riding Trade Skill. You’ll receive the following rewards as you become a better rider.
Rewards
Increased mount speed for all mount types.
Trinket-like items called mount buffs which can enhance aspects of your mount’s locomotion.
Mount attachments to visually customize your mount.
Higher tier consumable mount food.
A chance to receive special mounts at set levels.
Time Trials and Quests
Conquer mount-specific challenges across Aeternum for additional rewards.
Complete mount quests to befriend and unlock new animals.
Compete in two types of mount time trials for Riding XP, mount buff items, mount vitamins to make consumable mount food, and more:
Tours - Find the quickest route to the finish line.
Rallies - Reach each sequential checkpoint before the timer runs out.
Customization
Make each mount your own with nicknames, attachments, buffs and dyes. All items can be equipped to any type of mount. Explore the Mount Collection Menu to personalize your new ride through the following options.
Mount Attachment Items
Mounts have two attachment slots for visual equipment. These items are solely aesthetic meaning they will not impact gameplay.
Mount Consumable Items
Feed your partner for additional Riding XP.
Mount Buff Items
Bolster your riding style with mount buffs. Each item is bind-on-pickup, has a Riding level requirement, and can be paired with one other mount buff. Earn this rare loot through quests, Riding Trade Skill rewards, and open world drops.
Cleansing Talisman: Applies Cleanse on forced dismount
Empowered Talisman: Applies Empower on forced dismount
Fortified Talisman: Applies Fortify on forced dismount
Hastey Talisman: Applies Haste on forced dismount
Healing Talisman: Applies Heal on forced dismount
Mountaineer’s Pendant: Reduced Damage on Landing
Cavalier Crest: Reduce Summoning Time
Beast of Burden Bangle: Increase Encumbered tolerance
Other mount buffs will increase Dash Capacity, Power, or Recharge speed
Mount Store Items
Pick up new mounts, mount attachments and mount dyes from the in-game Store. These items can be obtained in exchange for Marks of Fortune. Look forward to new mount content in future store showcases.
Mounts in Open World PvP
Our goal for mounts in PvP is to minimize their impact on combat as much as possible. For example, you can’t summon your mount while in a combat state, summoning has a 2 second delay, and any PvP damage will cancel the summon. When riding, any damage from another player will dismount you and dismiss the mount. Damage from enemies can also force dismounts. However, there will be a degree of tolerance for lower level enemies who pose no significant threat.
To further reduce mount interference in open world PvP, the PvP timer that governs a player’s worth if killed will be paused when mounted, similar to a safe zone. Additionally, XP acquired when mounted will not count toward any bonus thresholds. We made a few adjustments after our own playtesting, so if we still feel like it's too easy to ride away from fights, we will retune.
Concept Art
See how the Design Team brought mounts to life from early concept art:
Dire Wolf
Lion
Horse
Saddle
Mount Equipment
Thanks for your support! We’ll see you in Aeternum.