When I first started playing DragonSword: Awakening, I completely ignored the mount system. I thought mounts were just a faster way to move around the map. Turns out they’re one of the biggest progression systems in the entire game. Some mounts unlock new movement abilities, others make exploration dramatically easier, and a few even let every mount gain new traversal skills.
If you wait until the late game to start unlocking them, you’ll probably end up revisiting dozens of places you already explored because you suddenly have a new movement ability that reaches hidden chests or secret puzzles.
That’s why it’s much better to unlock the right mounts as early as possible.
This guide covers the mounts you should prioritize first, how to unlock them, and why each one is worth your time.
DragonSword Awakening Mount Guide – Best Mounts to Unlock
Mounts aren’t simply cosmetic companions.
Each familiar grants useful exploration abilities that can:
- Reach hidden treasure chests
- Improve climbing speed
- Increase stamina
- Unlock underwater exploration
- Make collecting materials much faster
- Reduce backtracking
- Speed up map completion
Some abilities become available to every mount once you unlock additional variations of the same familiar, making them even more valuable.
1. Robust Stag Beetle (Highest Priority)
If you’re only going to focus on one mount early on, make it this one.
The Robust Stag Beetle may not win any beauty contests, but it’s arguably the most useful familiar for every player.
Why it’s so important
Every additional Beetle variation permanently increases your mount stamina.
This bonus applies universally across all your mounts, meaning every future familiar becomes better.
More stamina means:
- Longer gliding
- Longer climbing
- Better exploration
- Less waiting for stamina recovery
You’ll appreciate this far more than you expect after a few hours.
How to unlock the second Beetle
Purchase it using Mercenary Emblems.
It costs very little compared to later upgrades, making it an easy early investment.
Once unlocked, you’ll immediately gain around a 10% stamina increase.
How to unlock the third Beetle
This one requires destroying 300 ore deposits.
That sounds like a lot…
But here’s the trick:
Never walk past ore.
Even if you don’t need the materials right now, mine every deposit you see while exploring.
Eventually you’ll hit the requirement naturally instead of having to grind it later.
Final Beetle Variation
The last Beetle requires completing a quest given by the King of Marmots.
This takes longer to unlock, so don’t worry about it immediately.
Just keep progressing through the story and return later.
2. Sandstorm Sky Wolf
The Sandstorm Sky Wolf should be your second priority.
Unlike some other familiars, getting the first version is incredibly simple.
First variation
Purchase it once you have enough Gold.
No farming.
No hunting.
Just buy it.
Second variation
Complete Captain’s Scheme Chapter 9 during the story.
You’ll naturally reach this fairly early.
Why it’s worth unlocking
The second variation unlocks an ability that allows all of your mounts to perform underwater dashes.
That makes underwater exploration significantly faster and much less frustrating.
Considering how many hidden collectibles are beneath the water, this upgrade saves an incredible amount of time.
3. Squirrel Familiar
This is probably the most unusual mount requirement in the game.
To unlock its second variation, you’ll need to defeat 100 squirrels.
Yes…
One hundred.
Tips for hunting squirrels
Squirrels are surprisingly difficult to catch because they immediately run away.
A few things make the process easier:
- Use the lock-on feature
- Bring ranged attacks or projectiles
- Eliminate squirrels whenever you encounter them
- Don’t wait until the late game
If you slowly work toward the requirement while exploring, you’ll barely notice the grind.
Why you want this familiar
Its special ability dramatically improves climbing.
You’ll climb cliffs, buildings, towers, and mountains much faster.
Once you get used to this movement speed, it’s difficult to go back.
4. Bright Crow Tit
Despite its funny appearance, this bird becomes one of the best exploration companions in the game.
You’ll automatically unlock the first version after reaching Novice Mercenary Rank.
The second variation is where things become interesting.
How to unlock the second variation
Collect Bird Eggs scattered throughout the world.
You’ll mostly find them:
- Rooftops
- Trees
- Tall cliffs
- Wooden scaffolding
- Mountain ledges
Whenever you spot a high location, spend a few seconds checking it.
Many players accidentally ignore these eggs until much later.
Eggs respawn
One useful detail many players miss is that bird eggs respawn after the day/night cycle changes.
That means you can revisit good farming locations multiple times instead of searching the entire map again.
Important note
Only Bird Eggs count.
Goose Eggs unfortunately do not count toward the familiar progression.
It feels strange, but that’s how the system currently works.
5. Griffin
The Griffin is one of the later familiars you’ll unlock.
You won’t receive it until reaching Elite Mercenary Rank, so don’t rush it.
Instead, slowly prepare for its second variation.
Second variation requirement
Defeat 30 World Bosses.
Fortunately, World Bosses refresh regularly, allowing you to make steady progress over time.
Rather than grinding all thirty at once, simply defeat a few whenever you log in.
Eventually you’ll unlock the Griffin naturally.
Don’t Ignore Mercenary Rank
Several of the game’s best familiars are tied directly to Mercenary progression.
As you increase your rank, you’ll unlock:
- New familiars
- Better exploration abilities
- Additional familiar upgrades
- More efficient traversal
If you’re unsure what to work on next, improving your Mercenary Rank is almost never a bad choice.
Make Exploration a Habit
One thing DragonSword rewards more than almost any other RPG is curiosity.
While traveling through the world:
- Mine every ore deposit.
- Collect every Bird Egg.
- Defeat squirrels whenever you spot them.
- Check rooftops and cliffs.
- Visit underwater areas.
- Complete Mercenary objectives.
Doing small tasks consistently saves dozens of hours later.
Best Mount Unlock Order
For the smoothest progression, I recommend unlocking familiars in this order:
| Priority | Mount | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robust Stag Beetle | Universal stamina increase |
| 2 | Sandstorm Sky Wolf | Underwater dash for all mounts |
| 3 | Squirrel Familiar | Faster climbing |
| 4 | Bright Crow Tit | Improved aerial exploration |
| 5 | Griffin | Powerful late-game exploration |
Following this order gives you the biggest quality-of-life improvements without wasting time on less useful familiars.
The mount system is easy to underestimate during your first few hours, but it quickly becomes one of the most important progression systems in DragonSword: Awakening. Every new movement ability opens shortcuts, hidden collectibles, and exploration routes that would otherwise stay out of reach.
If I could start a fresh save today, I’d begin collecting ore, hunting squirrels, grabbing every Bird Egg, and working toward the Sandstorm Sky Wolf almost immediately instead of leaving them until the endgame. Those small efforts add up, making exploration faster and far more enjoyable.
Take a little time to unlock these key familiars early, and you’ll spend far less time backtracking later while getting much more out of every area you explore.