Horse Training Calculator in BDO: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you diving into the world of Black Desert Online and wondering how to make the most of your horse training endeavors? Perhaps you’ve heard whispers of a “horse training calculator” and are curious if such a tool exists or how it could benefit your gameplay. This guide will navigate you through the intricacies of horse training in BDO, shedding light on how to optimize your efforts, even without a dedicated, universally recognized “calculator” in the traditional sense. We’ll explore the underlying mechanics, essential strategies, and community-driven resources that effectively serve the purpose of a horse training calculator, empowering you to breed and train the finest steeds in the game.

Understanding Horse Training Mechanics in BDO

Black Desert Online’s horse training system is a deep and rewarding aspect of the game, involving breeding, leveling, and “awakening” horses to achieve top-tier mounts. Unlike some other MMORPGs, BDO doesn’t feature a single, official “horse training calculator” that magically spits out optimal breeding pairs or training paths. Instead, success hinges on understanding a complex interplay of factors:

• Horse Tiers and Tiers: Horses exist in tiers from 1 to 10, with tier 10 being the highest and most sought after. Higher tiers generally possess superior base stats and potential for advanced skills.
• Breeding: When two horses are bred, they produce a foal whose tier is influenced by the tiers of the parents. There are specific parent tier combinations that yield the highest chance of producing higher-tier foals. This is where the concept of a “calculator” often comes into play in player discussions – figuring out the best parent combinations.
• Leveling: Horses gain experience through various activities: riding, auto-pathing, training mini-games, and participating in the horse racing mini-game. Leveling up improves a horse’s stats and unlocks new skills.
• Skills: Horses learn a variety of skills, some of which are passive (like Sprint or Sideways) and others that are active (like Drift or Instant Accel). Certain skills are crucial for efficient travel and for achieving high-value horses for sale or personal use.
• Awakening: At level 30, elite horses (Tier 8 and sometimes lower tiers with specific conditions) can be “awakened” at the Stonetail Horse Ranch. This process allows them to gain unique, powerful skills and can result in the highly coveted Dream Horses: Arduanatt, Dine, and Discoria.

The “Calculator” Aspect: Community-Driven Solutions

While an official BDO horse training calculator might be absent, the dedicated BDO community has developed sophisticated tools and spreadsheets that serve this exact purpose. These resources are invaluable for anyone serious about optimizing their horse training.

Breeding Calculators and Spreadsheets

The most common form of a “horse training calculator” in BDO refers to tools designed to predict the outcome of breeding two horses. These typically work by:

• Inputting Parent Tiers: You select the tiers of the male and female horses you intend to breed.
• Predicting Foal Tier: Based on vast amounts of data collected by players, these tools can predict the most likely tier of the resulting foal, along with the probability of achieving certain tiers. For instance, breeding two Tier 8 horses has a high chance of producing another Tier 8, but there’s also a small chance for a Tier 9 (which then leads to Dream Horses).
• Identifying Optimal Pairs: Experienced breeders often use these tools to find the most efficient parent combinations to level up and re-breed, aiming to “stack” the potential for higher tiers and valuable skills.

You can usually find these community-made calculators and spreadsheets by searching BDO forums, Reddit communities (like r/blackdesertonline), or dedicated BDO fan wikis. They are often updated by players who are actively engaged in horse training and want to share their findings.

Skill Calculators and Training Planners

Beyond breeding, some players also use tools or follow guides that help in skill training. These might not be automated calculators but rather strategic roadmaps:

• Skill Probability Guides: These resources detail the probability of a horse learning a specific skill at each level. Some players use this information to decide when to “reset” a horse’s skills (using a Skill Add-on or a Skill Exchange Coupon) if it’s not learning desirable skills.
• Leveling Strategies: Guides might outline the fastest ways to level a horse, recommending specific routes, training methods, or even the use of certain items that boost EXP gain.

How to Use These Resources Effectively

1. Find Reputable Sources: Look for tools and guides that are frequently updated and have positive feedback from the BDO community. Older guides might not reflect current game mechanics or patch changes.
2. Understand the Data: Don’t blindly follow the output. Try to understand the underlying logic. For example, know that while a calculator might suggest breeding two Tier 8 horses for a chance at a Tier 9, it requires significant investment in leveling both parents.
3. Experiment: While these tools provide probabilities, luck still plays a role in BDO. Use the calculators as a guide, but be prepared for variations in outcomes.
4. Track Your Progress: Keep your own records of breeding pairs, their levels, skills learned, and outcomes. This personal data can be invaluable for your own optimization and can even contribute to the community’s knowledge base.

Essential Strategies for Horse Training Success

Regardless of the calculators you use, mastering horse training in BDO requires dedication and a strategic approach.

Breeding Strategy

• Start with Lower Tiers: Don’t aim for Tier 10 horses immediately. Focus on breeding and leveling lower-tier horses (Tier 5-7) to gain experience with the system and acquire potentially valuable stock for future breedings.
• Utilize Imperial Horse Delivery: Selling high-level horses (Tier 5 and above) to the Imperial Horse Delivery NPC can yield valuable Imperial Training Seals, which can be exchanged for useful items like training outfits, horse gear, and Skill Exchange Coupons.
• Focus on Skills During Leveling: As you level horses, pay attention to the skills they learn. Horses with key skills like Sprint, Sideways, Drift, and Instant Accel are more valuable. If a horse isn’t learning desirable skills by around level 15-20, consider resetting its skills or using it for Imperial Delivery.

Skill Acquisition and Training

• Targeted Skill Learning: Certain skills are more crucial than others. Sprint, Sideways, Drift, and Instant Accel are highly sought after for efficient travel. Attempting to get these skills on your horses, especially Tier 8 and Dream Horses, is a priority.
• Skill Exchange and Add-ons: Skill Exchange Coupons allow you to swap one of your horse’s learned skills for a random one. This is a gamble but can be useful if your horse has learned undesirable skills. Skill Add-ons can slightly increase the chance of learning specific skills during leveling.
• Leveling to 30: Leveling horses to 30 is essential for Dream Horse awakening and for maximizing their potential before using them for Imperial Delivery. This can be a time-consuming process, so efficient leveling routes and methods are key.

The Dream Horses: Arduanatt, Dine, and Discoria

These Tier 9 horses are the pinnacle of BDO’s horse system. Obtaining them involves:

1. Leveling two Tier 8 horses to level 30.
2. Attempting to awaken one of them at the Stonetail Horse Ranch.
3. Success yields a random Dream Horse (Arduanatt, Dine, or Discoria) with unique skills.
4. Failure results in both Tier 8 horses being consumed, with a chance to receive a “Stamina” or “Strength” training EXP bonus.

The odds of success are generally low, making the pursuit of Dream Horses a long-term goal for many players. Community calculators and guides often focus heavily on the optimal Tier 8 parent combinations and the best strategies for leveling them to maximize the chances of a successful awakening.

Beyond the Calculator: A Holistic Approach

While tools that function as a “horse training calculator” are indispensable for optimizing your efforts in BDO, remember that horse training is also about patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. Engaging with the BDO community, reading guides, and experimenting yourself will lead to the greatest rewards. Whether you’re aiming for a swift T8 courser for PvP, a majestic Dream Horse for unparalleled travel, or simply a reliable mount for your life skills, understanding the mechanics and utilizing community resources will set you on the right path. Happy training!