Yes, New World Finally Has Mounts! A Comprehensive Guide

The answer is a resounding yes! After a long wait and much anticipation, New World has finally introduced mounts to the game with the release of its first major expansion, Rise of the Angry Earth. This pivotal update has transformed the way players traverse the vast landscapes of Aeternum, offering a much-needed boost to exploration and travel efficiency. For players who have been eagerly awaiting this feature, it’s now a reality, and it’s come with significant customization and progression elements. This marks a significant shift for New World, addressing one of the community’s most requested features.

The Arrival of Mounts in Aeternum

The introduction of mounts isn’t just a simple addition, it’s a comprehensive system integrated into the game’s mechanics. Players are no longer limited to foot travel; they can now tame and ride various creatures across the diverse environments. Mounts are a core part of the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, which means they aren’t available to players who only own the base game. This expansion is a paid upgrade, providing access to a host of new features including the highly anticipated mounts.

Types of Mounts

Currently, the expansion introduces three distinct types of mounts, each offering unique aesthetics and progression paths:

• Horses: Classic and reliable, horses provide a balanced option for travel across the varied terrain of Aeternum.
• Dire Wolves: These are wilder, more intimidating mounts, perfect for players who prefer a more rugged look.
• Lions: Majestic and powerful, lions offer a regal mount option for players seeking a more prestigious ride.

Customization and Progression

What makes the mount system truly engaging is the depth of customization. Players aren’t just getting a simple vehicle; they’re acquiring a companion that they can personalize:

• Unique Looks: Each type of mount has its distinct appearance, with visual differences that appeal to different player tastes.
• Dyeable Equipment: Players can customize their mount’s gear with various dyes, allowing for unique color schemes.
• Naming: Players can name their mounts, adding a personal touch to their journey.
• Riding Trade Skill: A new riding trade skill allows players to level up their mounts to increase travel speed and other mount-specific benefits.

How to Unlock Mounts

Gaining access to mounts requires several steps:

• Purchase the Expansion: Mounts are exclusive to the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, so players must own this DLC.
• Meet Level Requirements: The unlock system is tiered; Horses are unlocked at level 25, Dire Wolves at level 45, and Lions at level 65.
• Complete the Quest: Once players reach the required level, they must complete a specific quest, titled “My Kingdom for a Horse Quest,” to unlock mounts.

The Impact of Mounts on Gameplay

The addition of mounts has significantly altered the gameplay experience in New World. It’s a change that’s been welcomed by many who felt the slow travel was a drag on the overall experience:

• Expedited Travel: Traversing the vast distances of Aeternum is now much faster and less tedious.
• Improved Exploration: Players can now explore more of the world without feeling bogged down by travel time.
• Enhanced Questing: Quests that require players to travel between distant locations are now far more manageable.

Addressing the Lack of Mounts Before

For a long time, the absence of mounts in New World was a point of discussion. The game world, while beautiful, was large, and the lack of fast travel options beyond the limited fast travel points contributed to a slower pace. The lore explanation given by the developers was that the animals of Aeternum hadn’t been domesticated yet. This made sense within the game’s world but didn’t always sit well with players used to the convenience of mounts in other MMOs. The development team have now successfully incorporated mounts into the world in an engaging and interesting way, changing the gaming experience significantly.

Rise of the Angry Earth: More Than Just Mounts

While mounts are a significant draw, the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion offers more than just new travel options. It includes a brand new story arc and many new features:

• New Story: The expansion introduces a new narrative centered around the fall of First Light, giving players more lore to uncover.
• Level Cap Increase: The maximum character level has been raised to 65, while gear scores have also increased to 700, providing fresh challenges.
• New Loot System: A new loot system focusing on quality rather than quantity has been implemented, meaning less junk loot and better drops.
• Removal of Expertise System: The unpopular Expertise System has been removed.
• Raids: Organized raiding with large player teams has been introduced, bringing a classic MMO element to New World.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much does the New World expansion cost?

The Rise of the Angry Earth expansion is priced at $29.99. There is also a bundle, the New World: Elysian Edition, that includes both the base game and the expansion for $69.99 for new players.

2. Is there a way to get mounts without buying the expansion?

No, mounts are exclusive to the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion and cannot be obtained without purchasing it.

3. Can I purchase mounts in the cash shop?

While some cosmetic mounts may be available through the cash shop or battle passes, the base mounts (horses, dire wolves, and lions) are earned by leveling and completing the main quest introduced with the expansion. Most Cash Shop and Battlepass mounts are also tradable.

4. What is the maximum level in the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion?

The maximum character level has been increased to level 65 with the expansion.

5. Does the expansion also increase the gear score?

Yes, the maximum gear score has been increased to 700 alongside the level cap raise.

6. Can I level up my mounts in New World?

Yes, you can level up your mounts using the new Riding Trade skill, which enhances their travel speed and other related benefits.

7. What level do you unlock horses, dire wolves, and lions?

Horses are unlocked at level 25, Dire Wolves at level 45, and Lions at level 65.

8. What is the quest required to unlock mounts?

The quest you need to complete to unlock mounts is titled “My Kingdom for a Horse Quest.”

9. Are there any free mounts in New World?

No, base mounts aren’t free. You must purchase the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion to access the base mount system. Some cosmetic mounts may be available through other channels, such as Battlepasses.

10. Is the New World expansion pay-to-win?

No, the expansion is not pay-to-win. While there is a premium battle pass with additional rewards, the non-cosmetic rewards from this premium track can also be earned through the free track and normal gameplay.

11. Can you complete the New World story solo?

Yes, the main story can be completed solo. The game allows players to bypass group content, providing a comprehensive solo player experience.

12. Can I customize my mounts?

Yes, you can customize your mounts with unique looks, dyeable equipment, and personalized names.

13. Is the Expertise System still in New World?

No, the Expertise System has been removed as part of the expansion update.

14. What is the storage space needed for the expansion?

The Rise of the Angry Earth expansion requires 100 GB of available storage space.

15. What new features does the expansion include other than mounts?

Besides mounts, the expansion includes a new story, increased level and gear score caps, a new loot system, the removal of the Expertise System, and the addition of Raids.

Conclusion

The introduction of mounts in New World marks a significant milestone for the game. The Rise of the Angry Earth expansion brings a wealth of new content and features that greatly enhance the overall gaming experience. With its tiered unlocking system, deep customization, and the integration of a new trade skill, the mount system is far from a simple addition – it’s a complex, enjoyable mechanic that has been very well received by the game community. If you’ve been on the fence about returning or trying New World, the addition of mounts is a compelling reason to dive in and explore Aeternum all over again.