Overview
The raptor is one of six confirmed mount types in Crimson Desert. It is a bipedal, dinosaur-like predatory creature that serves as the speed-focused mount in the game's roster. While horses are the default transportation, bears function as combat-ready brawler mounts, and the dragon and Battle Robot provide heavy firepower, the raptor fills the niche of fast, agile overland traversal. The raptor is associated with the Crimson Desert biome, the arid southern region of Pywel characterized by red sand dunes and extreme heat.
Role as the Speed Mount
Among the six mount types, the raptor is specifically characterized as the speed option. A combat deep dive by gaming outlet GuruGamer described the mount roster as: "basic horses for charges, grizzly bears for claw mauls (rideable and combat-ready), raptors for speed, fire-breathing dragons, and Titanfall-inspired mechs with missiles, guns, and EMPs." This positions the raptor as the fastest ground mount, ideal for covering long distances quickly across open terrain.
The raptor appears to fit the archetype of a velociraptor-style or large theropod dinosaur. Its bipedal stance and predatory build distinguish it from the game's four-legged mounts like horses, bears, and wolves.
Connection to the Desert Biome
The raptor is associated with the Crimson Desert region, the game's namesake biome. This southern expanse of Pywel is described as a lawless stretch of arid red sand featuring extreme temperatures (up to 50 degrees Celsius displayed on the HUD), towering sand dunes, exposed rock formations, dust storms, heat haze, and deep canyons with cave systems. The terrain is home to hostile desert creatures including scorpion-like enemies and sand-burrowing predators. The raptor's speed makes it well-suited to traversing these vast, open desert landscapes.
Mount Comparison
Mount | Specialty | Availability |
|---|---|---|
General traversal; charging and drifting mechanics | Starting mount; tamed via mini-game | |
Wolf | Speed-based ground traversal | Early to mid game |
Bear | Combat-ready with claw maul attacks | Mid game |
Raptor | Speed-focused; fast overland traversal | Mid game; associated with desert terrain |
Aerial fire attacks and flight | Later game; limited duration | |
Machine gun, missiles, EMP | Late game; fuel-limited |
Mount Combat System
All mounts in Crimson Desert have their own attributes and participate actively in combat. Mounts have their own movement speed, health points, and attacks that can be leveraged during encounters. They are described as "a core part of the combat loop" with different mount types offering specific combat abilities. When riding, Kliff can add his own weapon strikes while the mount performs its own attacks independently. For example, when riding the bear, Kliff swipes with his sword while the bear uses its claws.
The raptor's specific combat role has not been detailed beyond its speed characterization, suggesting it may excel at hit-and-run tactics or rapid repositioning during encounters rather than sustained direct combat like the bear.
Obtaining Mounts
The game features a taming system for acquiring wild mounts. Horses are obtained through a taming mini-game where the player jumps onto a wild horse's back and holds on as it tries to buck them off, similar to mechanics in Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2. Enemy mounts can also be hijacked using the grapple mechanic to yank an enemy off their mount and commandeer it.
The specific acquisition method for raptors has not been publicly detailed. Given that horses, bears, and wolves are all wildlife that can be encountered in the open world, it is likely that raptors use a similar taming approach, though this has not been confirmed.
Mount Customization
Players can customize the color scheme of their rideable mounts. The horse has three armor pieces (head, body, and saddle/stirrups) that can be individually dyed, and similar customization options extend to other mounts. Whether the raptor has the same number of customizable armor pieces as the horse has not been specified.
Trailer Appearances
Raptor riding footage appears in the Features Overview #2: Combat and Progression trailer released in February 2026. The bear mount was the most prominently featured non-horse mount in that video, with the raptor appearing more briefly. Gaming outlet CultureCrave highlighted the footage by noting: "You can ride a dragon, bear, raptor, or pilot a mecha." The raptor has also been referenced in several written previews and feature summaries as one of the confirmed mount types.