- Donkey Mount: Start your journey by obtaining the donkey mount from Sally.
- Quest Progression: Level up your adventure rank to unlock Sally's mount quest.
- Donkey Herding: Carefully steer the lost donkey back to Sally's stable.
- Taming Challenge: Master the pebble and rope technique to tame your donkey.
- Race Strategy: Sprint effectively and stay ahead of Sally to win the drakantos races.
Your First Drakantos Mount: The Donkey
Acquiring your first mount in Drakantos is a crucial step for efficient travel and opens up new gameplay opportunities. The donkey mount is typically your initial companion, obtained through a series of quests from an NPC named Sally. This process involves finding a lost donkey, taming it, and then proving your skills in a race.
Video Highlights:
- Locate Sally east of the starter town's inn.
- Increase your power and adventure rank to unlock Sally's quest.
- Follow the blue quest circle to find the lost donkey.
- Learn the mechanics of steering the donkey back to the stable.
Ensure your character's power level and adventure rank are sufficiently high. Sally might not offer the quest until you meet specific requirements, often around 460 power, as observed during public playtests.
Before you can even think about winning any Drakantos races, you need to get your hands on a trusty steed. The donkey is your entry ticket into the world of mounted travel.
Locating Sally and Starting the Quest
Your journey to obtaining a mount begins with Sally, a key NPC located strategically on the map. Finding her and initiating the quest requires a bit of exploration and character progression.
Find Sally's Stable
Sally is located east of the starter town's inn. Open your map and follow the main road east from the inn until you reach her stable.
Meet Prerequisites
Initially, Sally might be too busy to speak with you. You'll need to advance your main story quest and increase your power level (e.g., to 460) and adventure rank. Return to the inn to level up your adventure rank if needed.
Accept the Quest
Once a quest marker appears over Sally's head, speak with her. She will inform you that her donkey is lost, initiating the "Lost Donkey" quest.
The specific power and adventure rank requirements might change upon the game's official launch, but generally, progressing through early game content will prepare you.
Herding the Lost Donkey: A Test of Patience
The first challenge in your mount acquisition quest is locating Sally's lost donkey and guiding it back to her stable. This task requires patience and a good understanding of the donkey's rather stubborn AI.
Locating the Donkey
- Open your map after accepting the quest.
- A large blue quest circle will indicate the general area.
- Follow the main road south from the stable, then head west near the bottom of the quest circle.
- The donkey is usually found within this area.
Steering Mechanics
- You need to push the donkey from behind to steer it.
- Don't let it wander too far, or you might have to restart.
- Letting the donkey walk on its own in the correct direction often works best.
- Be prepared for the donkey to occasionally bolt into the forest, requiring redirection.
The donkey can be quite unpredictable. It will wander off if left unattended or if pushed too aggressively in the wrong direction. Maintain a consistent, gentle push from behind to guide it effectively.
Successfully herding the donkey back is a crucial step before you can participate in any Drakantos races.
Taming Your Donkey: The Pebble and Rope Technique
Once the donkey is safely back at the stable, the next step is to tame it. This involves a unique minigame where you use pebbles and a rope to subdue your new companion.
Approach the Stable
Guide the donkey past the main stable entrance to the pen located around the back. You'll hear a "ding" and your quest marker will update when it's in the right spot.
Toss the Pebble
Speak with Sally. She'll instruct you to toss a pebble to get the donkey to run across the pen. This is essential for the next step.
Use the Rope
Hold your rope button (default 'I' key) while using WASD to position your AoE (Area of Effect) ahead of the running donkey. The goal is to make the donkey run into the rope's AoE.
Reel it In
Once caught, hold the 'O' key (default) to reel the donkey in. The rope can break, so if the donkey runs away, let go, wait for it to stop, and then hold 'O' again.
Mastering the timing of letting go and holding the 'O' key is critical to prevent the rope from breaking. Observe the donkey's movements carefully.
Conquering Drakantos Races: The Sally Challenge
With your donkey tamed, the final test is to race Sally. This race is surprisingly challenging and serves as your introduction to Drakantos races. Winning this race will officially grant you ownership of your mount.
Race Strategy
- Sprint Management: Avoid spamming the sprint button (spacebar). Sprint mostly during straightaways to conserve stamina.
- Pathfinding: Stay on the main path and avoid running into bushes, which can slow you down significantly.
- Maintain Lead: Focus on staying ahead of Sally at all times.
Sally's Tactics
- Sally will sprint at the beginning, a few times during, and especially near the end of the race.
- She can also get in your way, making navigation more difficult.
- Expect future races to become even harder, as indicated by Sally herself.
Upon winning the race, you will receive your donkey mount license. This license is found in your inventory under the three-star tab. Use it to activate your mount.
Race Preparation Checklist:
- Understand sprint mechanics
- Familiarize yourself with the race track
- Practice steering your donkey effectively
- Be prepared for Sally's aggressive racing style
Activating and Using Your Donkey Mount
After successfully winning the race against Sally, you're just a few steps away from riding your new donkey. Activating and using your mount is a straightforward process.
Open Inventory
Press 'B' to open your inventory.
Locate Mount License
Navigate to the three-star tab within your inventory. You will find your mount license there.
Activate License
Select the license and press 'Enter' to activate it.
Equip Mount
Press 'Q' or 'E' to cycle to the cosmetics tab. Click on the empty tile with a yellow dot on the right side. Select your donkey and press 'Enter'.
Mount/Dismount
Press 'F' to mount or dismount your donkey.
Mounts in Drakantos not only speed up travel but can also sometimes be involved in specific quest types or events, adding another layer to your gameplay experience.
Drakantos Races FAQ
Q: How do I start the quest to get my first mount in Drakantos?
To start the mount quest, you need to speak with Sally, who is located east of the starter town's inn. Ensure you've progressed through the main story and increased your adventure rank and power level, as she might not offer the quest until certain prerequisites are met.
Q: What should I do if the lost donkey keeps wandering off?
If the lost donkey wanders off too far, you might have to restart the herding process. The best strategy is to gently push it from behind to steer it in the correct direction. Allow it to walk on its own as much as possible if it's heading the right way, but be ready to redirect if it bolts into the forest.
Q: What's the trick to taming the donkey with the rope?
The trick to taming the donkey involves tossing a pebble to make it run. Then, hold your rope button ('I' by default) and use WASD to place your AoE ahead of the running donkey so it runs into the rope. Once caught, hold 'O' to reel it in, but release 'O' if the donkey runs away to prevent the rope from breaking, then try again when it stops.
Q: How can I win the race against Sally for my donkey mount?
To win the race against Sally, focus on efficient sprint management by primarily using sprint during straightaways. Avoid running into bushes, which will slow you down. The key is to always stay ahead of Sally, especially as she will sprint more aggressively towards the end of the race.