Taming Mounts in Crimson Desert: Minigame Steps

Yes, every step of the taming minigame in Crimson Desert is a quick-time event (QTE) sequence. You don’t just hold a button or fill a bar; you must react to on-screen prompts for each of the mount’s attempts to throw you, and the sequence repeats until the animal is fully broken. This article explains the exact loop, the timing windows, and what to do when the minigame gets harder.

Formula

The calculator above estimates your taming efficiency. The formula is:

Success rate (attempts per minute) = a / t

where a is the number of QTE prompts you successfully completed and t is the total time in minutes. The second output converts that into average seconds per prompt: avg = (t × 60) / a. These numbers help you gauge whether you’re reacting fast enough for the later, faster prompts.

Worked Example

Using the default values: you spent 2 minutes taming and survived 5 prompts.

1. Success rate = 5 / 2 = 2.5 attempts per minute
2. Average time per prompt = (2 × 60) / 5 = 24 seconds

So you’re completing one QTE every 24 seconds on average. If the prompts start coming every 10 seconds, you know you need to speed up.

How the Taming Minigame Works

In Crimson Desert, taming a wild mount (horse, donkey, or other creature) triggers a short cutscene, then the minigame begins. The core loop is:

• A button prompt appears on screen (e.g., a key icon or a direction).
• You press the corresponding key or button within a short window.
• The mount bucks, rears, or tries to run. Each successful press reduces its resistance.
• If you miss a prompt or press the wrong button, the mount throws you off and the minigame restarts from the beginning (or you lose the animal).
• After a fixed number of successful prompts (often 5–7), the mount calms and you can mount it.

The minigame is not a single long bar; it’s a series of discrete events. Each “step” is a separate QTE, and the timing can vary between mounts. Wild horses with higher stats tend to have faster prompts and more of them.

What Exactly Counts as a “Step”?

Players often ask if the minigame has distinct phases. Yes, it does. The sequence typically breaks into three phases:

1. Approach – You sneak up or lasso the mount. This is not part of the QTE loop but is the trigger.
2. Breaking – The main QTE sequence. Each prompt is a step. The game shows a small icon (like a circle with a key) and you must press it before the icon shrinks or flashes.
3. Calming – After the last prompt, you may need to press a “calm” button repeatedly to soothe the mount before you can ride it.

So every step of the taming minigame is indeed a QTE, but the “calming” phase is a rapid-tap segment, not a single press. That’s a common misconception—people think the whole thing is one long QTE, but it’s actually a series of short ones.

How to Choose Which Mount to Tame

Not all mounts are worth the effort. The minigame difficulty scales with the mount’s quality. Higher-tier horses (e.g., those with better speed or stamina) have faster prompts and more steps. If you’re new to the game, start with a low-tier wild horse to learn the timing. Later, you can attempt rare mounts with better stats, but be prepared for tighter windows.

Also, consider the environment. Taming near cliffs or water can be dangerous—if you get thrown off, you might fall. Always clear the area of enemies before starting.

Common Problems and Mistakes

Players often fail the minigame for a few reasons:

• Button mashing – Pressing random keys doesn’t work. You must press the exact prompt shown.
• Looking at the mount instead of the prompt – The prompt is usually in the center of the screen, not near the mount. Keep your eyes on the prompt.
• Panic after a miss – If you miss one prompt, you don’t lose immediately; you get a chance to re-mount and restart the sequence. But if you miss three times, the mount escapes.
• Ignoring stamina – Your character’s stamina can drain during the taming, and if it runs out, you automatically let go. Watch your stamina bar and use items if needed.

Another mistake is trying to tame a mount that’s too high-level for your character. The game doesn’t explicitly show a level requirement, but if you’re taking more than 10 attempts, you’re probably under-leveled. Come back later.

Tips for Succeeding Every Step

To consistently win the minigame:

• Turn off any screen effects that might obscure the prompt (e.g., motion blur).
• Use a controller if you’re on PC—the button prompts are easier to hit with a gamepad.
• Anticipate the rhythm: prompts often come in a pattern (e.g., left, up, right, left).
• If you’re failing, watch the mount’s animation. The prompt appears just as the mount starts to buck, so you can press slightly early.
• Keep your finger near the center of the keyboard or controller to minimize travel distance.

Remember, the minigame is designed to be challenging but fair. Once you learn the timing, you’ll be able to tame even the fastest mounts.

What Happens After You Tame a Mount?

After you successfully complete all steps, the mount becomes yours. It will be added to your stable (if you have one) or you can ride it immediately. Tamed mounts can be renamed, equipped with gear, and leveled up. The quality of the mount (indicated by its color or stars) determines its potential stats. A high-quality mount is worth the repeated attempts.

If you fail the minigame, the mount usually runs away, but it may respawn in the same area after a while. You can also try a different mount nearby. There’s no penalty for failing, other than the time spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the taming minigame?

No, there’s no skip option. You must complete the QTE sequence to tame a wild mount. The only way to avoid it is to buy a mount from a stable, which costs in-game currency.

Why does the prompt appear so fast?

Higher-tier mounts have faster prompts to increase difficulty. If you’re struggling, try taming a lower-tier mount first. Also, check your game’s difficulty settings—some modes may affect QTE timing.

What happens if I press the wrong button?

Pressing the wrong button counts as a miss, same as not pressing at all. You’ll lose that attempt and the mount will throw you off. You can re-mount and try again, but repeated failures cause the mount to flee.

Does the minigame work the same on all platforms?

Yes, the mechanics are identical, but the button prompts differ. On PlayStation, you’ll see triangle, circle, X, and square; on Xbox, Y, B, A, and X; on PC, you’ll see keyboard keys. The timing windows are the same.

Can I tame a mount while in combat?

No, you must be out of combat to initiate taming. If enemies are nearby, they’ll interrupt you. Clear the area first.

Is there a way to increase my success rate?

You can improve your reaction time by practicing, but there’s no in-game skill that directly affects the minigame. Some players find that increasing their character’s stamina helps, since you won’t run out of breath as quickly during the taming.

Related

• Shopify Plus for Australian Multi-Market Stores
• Find MAC Address: Easy Steps for Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android
• Marvel Rivals Moon Knight Guide: Abilities, Combos & Counters

in t | Time spent taming | min | 2 | 0
in a | Attempts survived | count | 5 | 0
out rate | Success rate | attempts/min | a / t | 2
out avg | Time per attempt | sec | (t * 60) / a | 1