Crimson Desert Patch 1.06 Adds 12 New Mountable Beasts, Unarmed Combat, and a Claw Machine

Two months after launch, Crimson Desert just got its wildest update yet—and yes, you can now ride a tiger. Patch 1.06.00 introduces 12 new taming targets, an unarmed combat skill tree, and a host of quality-of-life features that directly address early player feedback. With sales surpassing 5 million copies and Steam reviews climbing to "Very Positive," this update signals Pearl Abyss's aggressive commitment to post-launch support. Even South Korea's President has taken notice, praising the game as a "turning point" for the nation's games industry.

The Beastiary – 12 New Special Mounts and How to Tame Them

The headline addition of Patch 1.06 is the expanded roster of mountable creatures. Players can now tame the following:

• Bears
• Boars
• Wolves
• Deer
• Mountain Goats
• Kuku Birds
• Iguanas
• Raptors
• Camels
• Lions
• Tigers

This diverse menagerie transforms the Pywel continent into something approaching a fantasy safari. Unlike ARK: Survival Evolved's knockout-and-feed system, Crimson Desert emphasizes non-lethal combat with low-tier weapons, making taming a test of precision rather than brute force.

Taming Mechanics

Players must subdue these animals using low-tier weapons, carefully managing damage to avoid killing their intended mount. Once subdued, riders can mount the creature and feed it to build trust—a process that varies by species. Some require unique methods, adding a layer of discovery that rewards patient exploration.

Saddle System

A new Special Mounts inventory tab has been added to manage this expanded stable. Importantly, only one normal mount and one special mount can be assigned to the mount quickslot at a time, forcing players to make strategic choices about their preferred companion. Saddles for these special mounts are purchased from specific city saddleries:

• Hernand: Wolves and Bears
• Tommaso: Iguanas
• Varnia: Camels

Beyond the Saddle – New Combat and Exploration Options

Patch 1.06 isn't just about riding; it expands how players fight and explore.

Unarmed Combat Skill Tree

The update introduces a new unarmed combat skill tree for the character Oongka under the "Fists" category. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that similar skills for Damiane are planned for the next update, suggesting a broader commitment to expanding combat options.

Sigil of Valor

The Sigil of Valor item adds a novel tactical layer: when equipped, it causes pet dogs to attack enemies. This item is purchasable from the Secret Shop NPC in Pororin, offering players a way to turn their loyal companions into active combatants.

Night Tone Mode

For players who prefer a different visual experience, the new Night Tone Mode softens and darkens colors while brightening shaded areas to reduce eye strain. Crucially, the developer has confirmed there is no performance impact, making it a purely aesthetic toggle.

Other Additions

• Sword sheaths with a display toggle (found in Settings → Gameplay)
• Claw machine minigame at the Laughing Marionette in Demeniss. Prizes range from lighting items and chairs to headgear, Abyss Artifacts, and Gears—a charmingly low-stakes diversion in an otherwise action-packed RPG.
• Bulk actions for Clean All, Butcher All, and Obtain All Seeds further streamline inventory management.

Extraction, Refinement, and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Perhaps the most impactful quality-of-life addition is the extraction feature. Players can now recover materials used in refining equipment at any smithy. Special materials—such as Artifacts and Aeserion's scale—are recovered at 100%, while common materials like iron ore and bloodstones are returned at approximately 70%.

This directly addresses early player feedback about resource waste. In a game where refining equipment is central to progression, the inability to recover invested materials was a persistent frustration. Pearl Abyss's inclusion of this feature—alongside bulk actions and the claw machine—demonstrates a developer willing to listen and adapt rapidly.

Sales Milestones, Presidential Praise, and the Road Ahead

The update arrives on the heels of impressive commercial success. Crimson Desert has sold over 5 million copies as of a few weeks before publication, a figure that caught even industry analysts off guard. More notably, South Korea's President praised the game as a "turning point" for the Korean games industry, elevating its cultural significance beyond mere entertainment.

This commercial triumph stands in contrast to the mixed critical reception at launch. Eurogamer described the game as "derivative and charmless," while other outlets pointed to technical issues and uneven pacing. Yet the player base has responded enthusiastically, with Steam reviews improving from "Mixed" to "Very Positive," currently sitting at 86% positive.

Pearl Abyss has been releasing updates ahead of schedule, addressing early complaints about mount taming and other systems with remarkable speed. This agile post-launch support has transformed Crimson Desert from a divisive launch into a rapidly improving live-service experience.

Platform Availability: Patch 1.06 is already available on PC (Steam), Mac (Steam), and PlayStation, with rollout ongoing for the Epic Games Store, Xbox, and Mac App Store.

The addition of 12 new mounts, unarmed combat, and a host of quality-of-life features—coupled with presidential endorsement—positions Crimson Desert for sustained growth. Pearl Abyss has proven that they can listen, adapt, and deliver meaningful content on an aggressive timeline. For players who have been waiting to explore the Pywel continent, there has never been a better time to saddle up.

What's your favorite new mount or feature in Patch 1.06? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Quick Facts

• Patch Version: 1.06.00
• Release Date: Two months after mid-March launch
• New Mounts: 12 (Bears, Boars, Wolves, Deer, Mountain Goats, Kuku Birds, Iguanas, Raptors, Camels, Lions, Tigers)
• Sales: 5 million+ copies
• Steam Rating: 86% Positive ("Very Positive")
• Platforms: PC (Steam), Mac (Steam), PlayStation; rolling out to Epic Games Store, Xbox, Mac App Store