Sanctuary, the dark and vast world of Diablo 4, is filled with treacherous landscapes, hordes of demons, and endless exploration. Traversing its sprawling zones on foot can quickly become tedious-especially as you venture further from waypoints and tackle late-game content. That’s where mounts come in: these trusty steeds are a game-changer, boosting your movement speed and making exploration far more efficient. But when exactly do you unlock your first mount in Diablo 4? This guide breaks down the timeline, requirements, and everything else you need to know to get your mount as quickly as possible. This will make it easier for you to obtain Diablo 4 Items, gold, and other rewards in the game.
The Short Answer: When You Unlock Act 4
The first mount in Diablo 4 becomes available once you progress through the main campaign and reach Act 4. Unlike some games where mounts unlock at a fixed level, Diablo 4 ties mount access to your story progression-though level and story milestones often align closely.
On average, most players unlock their mount around level 35-40. This timing lines up with completing the first three acts of the main story, which is the key prerequisite for accessing the mount quest. However, the exact level can vary slightly depending on how many side quests you complete along the way.
Importantly, mounts are account-wide. Once you unlock your first mount on one character, every current and future character on your account will have access to mounts immediately-no need to repeat the quest for alts.
Prerequisite: Complete Acts 1-3 of the Main Campaign
To unlock your mount, you must first finish the first three acts of Diablo 4’s main story. These acts take you through the Fractured Peaks, Scosglen, and Dry Steppes regions, introducing you to key characters and setting the stage for Act 4.
Act 1 focuses on the Fractured Peaks and your hunt for Lilith, while Act 2 sends you to Scosglen to aid the Druids. Act 3 takes you to the Dry Steppes, where you’ll confront the Cult of the Triune and uncover more of Sanctuary’s dark secrets.
You don’t need to complete every side quest or explore every corner of these regions-just the main story objectives. Skipping unnecessary side content will help you reach Act 4 faster and unlock your mount sooner.
The Mount Quest: “Mount: Donan’s Favor”
Once you finish Acts 1-3, you’ll be summoned back to Kyovashad, the capital city of the Fractured Peaks. Here, you’ll meet Donan, a key character in the main story, who will give you the quest “Mount: Donan’s Favor”.
This quest is short and straightforward. Donan will explain that he’s granting you access to the stables, as a reward for your efforts in the first three acts. Your only task is to visit Oskar, the Stable Master in Kyovashad.
Head to the stables (marked by a horse icon on your map) and speak to Oskar. He will formally unlock your mount, giving you a generic brown horse to use. This completes the quest and grants you permanent access to riding mounts.
Skip the Campaign? Unlock via Level 36
If you choose to skip the main campaign (a feature available for players who have already completed it on another character), you won’t need to progress through Acts 1-3. Instead, you can unlock your mount by reaching level 36.
At level 36, the “Mount: Donan’s Favor” quest will automatically become available, even if you skipped the story. Simply complete the quest by talking to the Stable Master, and you’ll get your mount immediately.
This is a great option for alt characters or players who want to jump straight into endgame content without replaying the campaign. It ensures you still get the convenience of a mount without the story grind.
What Your Mount Does (and Doesn’t Do)
Your mount’s primary purpose is to boost your movement speed, drastically reducing the time it takes to travel between waypoints, dungeons, and world events. Mounting up is instant, and you can even mount in combat (unless you’ve been recently hit by a PvP opponent).
Each mount also has a unique dismount ability, which varies by class. This ability lets you leap off your mount and deal damage to nearby enemies, adding a strategic element to combat engagements.
Notably, mounts cannot be used inside dungeons, cellars, or other instanced areas. They’re strictly for open-world travel, so you’ll still need to explore dungeons on foot.
Customizing Your Mount: Bardings and Trophies
Once you unlock your mount, you can customize its appearance using bardings and trophies-cosmetic items that add style without affecting performance. Bardings are essentially armor for your mount, changing its look with different styles and colors.
Trophies are decorative items that showcase your in-game achievements. For example, the “Cry of Ashava” trophy is awarded for defeating the Ashava world boss during special events. These can be affixed to your mount’s saddle or flank.
Bardings and trophies can be earned through exploration, world events, quest rewards, or purchased from vendors and the in-game shop. Some rare mounts and cosmetics are also available via the battle pass or limited-time promotions.
Tips to Unlock Your Mount Faster
If you’re eager to get your mount as soon as possible, focus solely on the main story quests. Side quests are fun and rewarding, but they will slow down your progress through Acts 1-3.
Use waypoints to fast-travel whenever possible. This cuts down on unnecessary walking time between story objectives, helping you reach Act 4 quicker.
For players skipping the campaign, focus on leveling efficiently. Complete nightmare dungeons, world events, and Helltides to gain XP quickly and hit level 36 faster.
Other Mounts: Beyond the Starter Horse
The generic brown horse is just the beginning. Diablo 4 has over 20 unique mounts to collect, each obtained through different methods. Some are dropped by powerful bosses like Uber Duriel, while others are rewards for completing challenges or purchasing them from the in-game shop. Therefore, purchasing cheap D4 Gold in advance is an excellent choice.
Seasonal mounts are also available during each Diablo 4 season. These are often tied to seasonal themes and can only be collected during that season, making them rare and sought-after by collectors.
The “Bloody Mount” is a rare drop from the Echo of Lilith, while the “Smoldering Brimstone Steed” can be obtained from Uber bosses. These mounts are not necessary for gameplay but add a unique flair to your character.
In conclusion, your first mount in Diablo 4 unlocks after completing Acts 1-3 of the main campaign (around level 35-40) or by reaching level 36 if you skip the campaign. It’s a crucial tool for exploring Sanctuary, saving you time and making late-game content more accessible. Once unlocked, you can customize your mount with cosmetics and even collect rare variants to stand out. With this guide, you’ll know exactly when to expect your mount-and how to get it as quickly as possible.