Deciding between Bdo Horse Training Wagon Or Solo methods is a classic crossroads for every budding trainer in Black Desert Online. You see players majestically galloping alone on a potential Dream Horse, and then you see the iconic sight of a four-horse wagon dutifully trotting a loop near Heidel. One looks fast and glorious, the other slow but efficient. So, which path leads to equestrian excellence and silver in your pocket? The truth is, there’s no single “best” answer, but there is a best answer for you. This guide will break down the pros, cons, and specific scenarios for each method to help you make the most informed decision for your training goals.
The Fundamentals of BDO Horse Training
Before we pit wagon against solo, let’s cover the basics. Horse training in BDO is the life skill of leveling horses from level 1 to 30. As they level up, they have a chance to learn new skills. A horse with many valuable skills, like Sprint, Drift, and Instant Accel, becomes significantly more valuable. The ultimate goal for many is to create a Tier 8 Courser, which is a horse that has learned a specific set of skills, making it eligible for Dream Horse awakening attempts for a fabled Arduanatt, Diné, or Doom. Once trained, horses can be sold on the horse market or delivered to an Imperial Horse Manager for a steady income. Your Training Life Skill level and Mastery increase the rewards you get from these activities.
The Case for Solo Horse Training
Riding a single horse is the most direct and engaging way to train. You saddle up, pick a scenic route, and set off on an adventure. It’s the purest form of equestrianism in the game, but it has a very specific set of advantages and disadvantages.
Pro: Unmatched Speed and Active Leveling
When you’re training a single horse, you are moving at that horse’s maximum speed. By equipping a riding crop and using skills like Sprint, you can cover ground far faster than any wagon. This means that the time it takes to level one specific horse from 1 to 30 is significantly shorter with solo training than with a wagon. If your primary goal is to get one high-potential horse to level 30 as quickly as possible, solo riding is the undisputed champion. This method is ideal for active gameplay when you want to focus your efforts on a single, promising steed.
Pro: The Only Way to Level Skills
This is arguably the most critical advantage of solo training. A horse’s skills will only level up and improve when you are riding it directly. Horses on a wagon gain level experience, but they gain zero progress toward learning new skills. If you are trying to create a Courser or a “smart” horse with a desirable skillset, you must train it solo. The act of manually using skills like Drift and Sprint during your training can also help in the skill acquisition process, making active solo riding essential for crafting a truly elite mount.
Con: It Demands Your Attention
The biggest drawback of solo horse training is that it’s an active process. To be efficient, you need to be at your keyboard, managing your horse’s stamina and manually riding. While you can set up an auto-loop, a solo horse’s stamina will eventually run out, causing it to slow to a crawl or even stop. This makes it a poor choice for AFK (Away From Keyboard) training sessions, which is when many players get the bulk of their horse training done.
The Power of Wagon Horse Training
Wagon training is the workhorse of the BDO training world. It’s less glamorous, but its power lies in multitasking and efficiency for long-term, passive goals. This method involves attaching two or four horses to a wagon and setting it on an auto-loop.
Pro: The Ultimate AFK Activity
The number one reason players use wagons is for AFK training. A wagon’s stamina bar is massive and depletes incredibly slowly. You can set a wagon on an auto-loop, walk away from your computer for hours, and return to find your horses have gained significant experience. This is perfect for leveling horses overnight, while at work, or during any other time you can’t actively play. It turns your downtime into productive training time, making it a cornerstone of any serious horse breeding operation.
Pro: Efficiency in Numbers
With a Merchant Wagon or the superior Peridot Forest Path Wagon, you can train four horses simultaneously. While each horse gains XP slower than a solo horse, the combined XP gain across all four horses is substantial. This method is the undisputed king for leveling multiple horses for Imperial Delivery. You can raise four horses to level 15, deliver them for a good chunk of silver and Imperial Training Seals, and repeat the process. It’s a fantastic, low-effort way to generate passive income and boost your Training Life Skill level.
“Many trainers get fixated on the speed of a single horse,” notes Dr. Arduanatt, a fictional equine behaviorist. “But the real profit often comes from volume. Training four horses to level 15 on a wagon can be more profitable and provide more life skill XP over a week than training one horse to 30 solo in the same time frame.”
Con: Glacially Slow and No Skill Training
The trade-off for AFK convenience is speed. A wagon moves at a fixed, slow pace, regardless of the horses attached. This means the XP gain per hour for any individual horse is much lower than solo riding. Furthermore, as mentioned before, horses on a wagon do not learn skills. If you put a promising Tier 8 on a wagon, it will reach level 30 with the same one or two skills it had at level 1, making it virtually worthless as a high-end mount.
BDO Horse Training: Wagon or Solo Comparison
To make the choice clearer, let’s break it down in a head-to-head table.
| Feature | Solo Horse Training | Wagon Horse Training |
|---|---|---|
| Best Use Case | Actively training a specific high-potential horse (e.g., a T8 Courser). | AFK leveling multiple horses for profit or breeding. |
| Speed (Per Horse) | Very Fast | Very Slow |
| Skill Leveling | Yes, this is the only way. | No, skills do not level. |
| AFK Potential | Poor. Requires constant attention or frequent check-ins. | Excellent. Can run for 8+ hours unattended. |
| Training XP Gain | High for the single horse being ridden. | Low for each individual horse, but high total across all four. |
| Profit Method | High-value horses on the market (Courser, Dream Horse). | High volume of horses for Imperial Delivery. |
| Initial Investment | Low. Just need the horse. | Moderate. Requires a 2 or 4-horse wagon. |
Which Method Is Right for You?
The best strategy often involves a hybrid approach, but here’s how to decide where to start.
You Should Choose Solo Training If…
- You have a horse with high potential (e.g., a Tier 8) that you want to turn into a Courser.
- You are actively playing and want to make the most of your time.
- Your goal is to create a Dream Horse, which requires a level 30 T8 Courser.
- You enjoy the journey and want to experience the world on your fastest mount.
You Should Choose Wagon Training If…
- You spend a lot of time AFK and want to be productive.
- Your primary goal is to make a steady, passive income through Imperial Horse Delivery.
- You want to level up your Training Life Skill efficiently.
- You are mass-breeding horses and need to level many of them to check their potential or prepare them for exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best wagon for horse training in BDO?
The Peridot Forest Path Wagon is the best, as it has the highest durability and speed. However, the Merchant Wagon is an excellent and much cheaper alternative that also holds four horses. For absolute beginners, even a two-horse Farm Wagon is a good starting point.
Can you level horse skills on a wagon?
No. This is a common misconception. Horses attached to a wagon will only gain level XP. They will not learn any new skills. Skill acquisition only happens when you are riding a horse solo.
Is solo horse training profitable?
It can be extremely profitable, but it’s a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. The profit comes from successfully creating a T8 Courser or a T9 Dream Horse, which can sell for billions of silver. However, a single T8 that fails to learn the right skills may sell for very little, representing a loss on your time investment.
How do I start AFK horse training?
Get a wagon, connect the horses you want to train at a stable keeper, find a safe, uninterrupted patch of road, and then open your map. Hold the ALT key and right-click to set a loop path. Once the path is green, press “T” on your horse to begin auto-running the loop.
Does Training Mastery affect horse XP?
Yes, higher Training Mastery increases the amount of mount XP your horses gain, both solo and on a wagon. It also increases the chance of capturing wild horses and the sell-back value on the horse market and Imperial Delivery.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Training Styles
Ultimately, the BDO horse training wagon or solo debate isn’t about which is better, but which tool is right for the job at hand. The wagon is your reliable, AFK workhorse for generating income and leveling your life skill. Solo riding is the focused, active approach for crafting that one-in-a-million legendary steed. The most successful trainers in Black Desert Online don’t choose one over the other; they master both. They use their wagons to level horses while they sleep and ride their most promising prospects solo while they play. By understanding the strengths of each method, you can tailor your training strategy to fit your playstyle and achieve your equestrian dreams.
