Best Early Mounts in DragonSword: Awakening and How to Get Them

DragonSword: Awakening rewards exploration more than almost any other system in the game, and mounts are at the center of that progression. Unlike many open-world RPGs where mounts only increase movement speed, each mount in DragonSword: Awakening grants a unique traversal ability that unlocks new routes, collectibles, and shortcuts throughout Orbis. Because of this, unlocking the right mounts early is one of the smartest investments you can make during your first playthrough.

Quick Overview	Details
Main Purpose	Exploration and traversal
Total Early Priority Mounts	5
Most Important Upgrade	Robust Stag Beetle replicas
Best Early Currency Farm	Mining ore deposits
Longest Collection Goal	200 Bird Eggs
Endgame Requirement	Elite Mercenary Rank & World Bosses

Why mounts matter much more than movement speed

Every major region in DragonSword: Awakening is filled with vertical terrain, hidden caves, underwater passages, cliffs, treasure puzzles, and secret collectibles. While you can eventually reach many of these locations without special mounts, doing so often requires lengthy detours or returning much later in the game.

Each mount unlocks an entirely new traversal mechanic, allowing you to reach areas that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Focusing on these mounts first means you naturally collect more resources, discover more secrets, and complete exploration objectives while progressing through the main story instead of revisiting every region later.

Best mounts to unlock early in DragonSword Awakening

Mount	Unlock Requirement	Special Ability	Priority
Robust Stag Beetle	Starter Mount	Shared stamina upgrades	Very High
Sandstorm Skywolf	Purchase with Gold	Underwater Dash (variant)	Very High
Squirrel	Hunt 100 squirrels	Climbing Jump	High
Bright Crotit	Novice Mercenary Rank	Improved exploration	High
Gryphon	Elite Mercenary Rank	Advanced aerial traversal	Endgame

#1 Robust Stag Beetle

The Robust Stag Beetle is the first mount you receive, but it remains valuable for the entire game.

Its replica upgrades increase stamina for every mount you own, making it one of the few progression systems that benefits your entire collection instead of a single companion. Here is how to upgrade the Robust Stag Beetle mount in DragonSword Awakening:

1. Obtain the Robust Stag Beetle during the early story progression.
2. Destroy every ore deposit you encounter while exploring.
3. Collect the upgrade currency required for additional Beetle replicas.
4. Purchase every available replica upgrade as early as possible.

Never ignore ore nodes during exploration. Even if you do not need crafting materials immediately, the currency earned from mining directly contributes toward permanent stamina upgrades that improve every future mount.

#2 Sandstorm Skywolf

The Sandstorm Skywolf is available relatively early by purchasing it with Gold, making it one of the easiest traversal upgrades to obtain.

Its true value comes later after completing the Captain’s Scheme mission, which unlocks an alternate version capable of performing an Underwater Dash. Here is how to unlock Sandstorm Skywolf mount in DragonSword Awakening:

1. Purchase the Sandstorm Skywolf using Gold.
2. Continue progressing until the Captain’s Scheme quest becomes available.
3. Finish the mission.
4. Unlock the underwater variant.

The underwater dash significantly speeds up underwater exploration and makes collecting submerged treasures much less time-consuming.

#3 Squirrel

Although the requirement sounds unusual, the Squirrel becomes one of the most useful exploration mounts thanks to its unique climbing ability. Here is how to unlock Squirrel mount in DragonSword Awakening:

1. Explore forests and wooded regions.
2. Hunt squirrels whenever you encounter them.
3. Reach a total of 100 squirrel hunts.
4. Claim the Squirrel mount.

The Squirrel’s Climbing Jump lets you gain additional height while climbing, making mountain ascents and building exploration dramatically faster. Many difficult climbing routes become much easier with this ability.

#4 Bright Crotit

Bright Crotit is earned through Mercenary progression rather than exploration alone.

After reaching Novice Mercenary Rank, you unlock the base version. A second variant requires collecting 200 Bird Eggs hidden across the world. Here is how to unlock Bright Crotit mount in DragonSword Awakening:

1. Reach Novice Mercenary Rank.
2. Search trees, rooftops, wooden platforms, towers, and scaffolding for bird nests.
3. Collect 200 Bird Eggs.
4. Claim the alternate Bright Crotit.

Goose Eggs do not count toward this requirement, so only standard Bird Eggs should be collected. Because eggs respawn over time, revisiting explored regions is often worthwhile.

#5 Gryphon

The Gryphon is one of the final exploration mounts you’ll unlock. It requires Elite Mercenary Rank, making it a late-game reward.

A second variation is earned by defeating 30 World Bosses, encouraging regular participation in high-level encounters. Here is how to unlock Gryphons in DragonSword Awakening:

1. Progress to Elite Mercenary Rank.
2. Unlock the base Gryphon.
3. Defeat World Bosses whenever they respawn.
4. Reach 30 World Boss victories.
5. Unlock the alternate Gryphon variation.

Because World Bosses naturally become part of endgame farming, you should start defeating them whenever possible instead of waiting until after reaching Elite Rank.

Where to find important collectibles

Most of the collectibles required for these mounts are spread naturally throughout Orbis. Ore deposits appear along cliffsides, caves, and mountain paths, while Bird Eggs are commonly hidden on tree branches, elevated platforms, rooftops, and wooden scaffolding. Squirrels are usually found in forested regions and wooded trails.

World Bosses appear at designated boss arenas across the map and respawn over time, making repeat visits worthwhile. Resource nodes also refresh alongside the game’s day and night cycle, so revisiting previously explored locations can speed up progress considerably.

Mount unlock rewards

Unlock	Reward
Robust Stag Beetle	Permanent shared stamina upgrades
Sandstorm Skywolf Variant	Underwater Dash
Squirrel	Climbing Jump
Bright Crotit Variant	Additional collectible-based mount
Gryphon Variant	Reward for defeating 30 World Bosses

Tips that save hours of grinding

The biggest mistake new players make is ignoring collectibles until they specifically need them. Instead, destroy every ore deposit you pass, hunt squirrels whenever you see them, and always check elevated structures for Bird Eggs.

Take advantage of the day and night cycle, since many resource nodes refresh over time, allowing you to revisit productive farming routes without waiting long. Likewise, if you notice a World Boss has respawned, defeating it immediately contributes toward the Gryphon unlock instead of creating additional grinding later.

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Mount progression is one of the most impactful long-term systems in DragonSword: Awakening. While it may be tempting to focus solely on story quests, prioritizing the Robust Stag Beetle, Sandstorm Skywolf, Squirrel, Bright Crotit, and Gryphon will dramatically improve exploration efficiency throughout your entire playthrough. By collecting resources consistently, ranking up your Mercenary status, and clearing World Bosses whenever possible, you’ll unlock powerful traversal abilities naturally instead of facing a massive grind near the end of the game.