The introduction of mounts in Icarus has brought new ways to traverse the dangerous landscapes, but how useful are they really? In this guide, we’ll break down where to find these creatures, how to tame them, and whether they’re worth the effort.

Where to Find Mounts

Mounts are primarily found in forest biomes, with confirmed spawns on Olympus, particularly around L10. It’s unclear whether they also appear on the Styx map, but players have noted that both the Moa and Buffalo tend to spawn in these regions.

• Moa: A tall, bird-like creature, usually brownish in color. Look for a smaller Moa near a slain adult.
• Buffalo: A large, stocky beast. Baby Buffalos have a grayish tint and appear near dead adult Buffalos.

How to Tame a Mount

The taming process in Icarus is relatively simple:

1. Find a Young Mount: Locate a baby Moa or Buffalo after killing an adult of the same species.
2. Interact with It: Press F (or your bound interact key) to make it follow you.
3. Transport to Base or Tame on the Spot: Either walk it back to your stable or begin the taming process immediately by placing a feeding trough nearby.
4. Set Up Taming Requirements: To tame an animal at your base, you’ll need:
   • A Bed (for sleeping/happiness meter)
   • A Feeding Trough
   • A Watering Trough
   • A Saddle (for Moas; Buffalos have a separate cargo saddle)
5. Wait for Taming Completion: The process takes approximately 15 minutes but may vary based on food availability and pathing issues.
6. Claim and Name Your Mount: Once the taming meter reaches 100%, interact with it to claim ownership.

Mount Characteristics and Comparison

Mount	Strengths	Weaknesses
Moa	Fast travel, sprinting speed, quick traversal	Low health, no mounted combat, weak carrying capacity
Buffalo	Higher health, mild combat capabilities, extra cargo slots	Slow movement, ineffective combat ability, limited weight capacity

Moa: The Speedster

• Moves 30–40% faster than the Buffalo.
• Best for travel, as its sprint speed is the fastest movement option available in Icarus.
• Cannot attack while mounted, requiring dismounting to engage in combat.
• Weak against predators—best kept out of danger.

Buffalo: The Cargo Carrier

• Offers a semi-tank role, absorbing some enemy attacks.
• Cargo capacity is slightly better than the Moa’s, but both mounts cap at 100 kg of carrying weight, limiting their usefulness for heavy transport.
• Has an Aggressive Mode, allowing it to fight back when attacked.
• Slow speed makes it less useful for travel.

Is It Worth Taming a Mount?

While mounts are an exciting addition to Icarus, their practical value is questionable:

• Moa is useful for long-distance travel but requires substantial time to tame.
• Buffalo’s carrying capacity is limited, making it ineffective for large resource hauls.
• Players with move-speed perks and gear may match or exceed Buffalo speed, making it obsolete in endgame scenarios.

For most endgame players, mounts are not essential. The time spent taming and equipping them often outweighs their practical benefits. However, for newer players or those without movement-enhancing gear, Moas can offer an advantage in traversing large distances.

Future Potential for Mounts

The developers have hinted at upcoming changes that could increase mount utility, such as:

• Bringing them between missions for long-term use.
• Mount leveling and upgrades to improve stats.

Final Verdict

• Moa: Worth taming if you need fast travel.
• Buffalo: Not recommended due to slow speed and limited cargo benefits.
• General Recommendation: Unless you’re playing without mobility perks, mounts are mostly a novelty rather than a game-changer.

As Icarus continues to evolve, we may see improvements that make mounts more viable. For now, they remain a fun but situational feature rather than a must-have tool.