This guide will show you what the Riding set looks like, what unique benefits it provides, and how to get it in Crimson Desert!
Appearance
The Riding set is obtainable by all players in Crimson Desert and features blue and white cloth protected by dark leather on the extremities. It’s also got a cowboy hat and spurs.
This is the only appropriate set if you’re looking to play Crimson Desert as Arthur Morgan or John Marston, but don’t wear this set in the jungle, lest you end up with a snake in your boot.
Stats
The Riding set consists of ~5 fully upgradeable pieces and is wearable only by Kliff. It was not upgradeable at launch because it had unique horse-related buffs, but as of Update 1.06, it now offers standard Abyss Gear Sockets and is fully upgradeable since none of its bonuses pertain to combat.
More specifically, the +1 Horse EXP Gain on each piece is equivalent to a free Equestrian I Abyss Gear and gets upgraded to Equestrian II. The Whip Skill on the chestpiece is completely unique and makes it much easier to tame wild horses, but it has that in lieu of the Equestrian I effect.
Its overall Defense when fully upgraded is 85, which is right in line with the 86 Defense you’d get with a standard Leather armor set, though individual pieces are not necessarily balanced to offer Leather stats.
For example, the Riding Boots offer Movement Speed Lv 2 instead of Lightning Resistance Lv 1, so they’re balanced like Cloth armor, despite clearly being made of leather!
The Riding Cloak does not abide by any standards whatsoever, featuring 5 Defense that does not increase as it’s upgraded. Instead, it can be upgraded to offer a -10% Stamina Cost reduction that is unmatched by all but one other Cloak in the game, the Shadowleaf Cloak.
This Cloak also gives Ice Resistance Lv 3, so you’ll want to embed a Frostward II or III to get the Tier I Cold Immunity rather than pursue Shock Resistance.
As a whole, the 4 free Equestrian I → II Abyss Gears, access to Cold Immunity, supreme Stamina Cost Reduction, easier horse taming, and quality Defense make the Riding set one of the best in the game.
Leather Riding Hat Stats
Defense: 3 → 16
Lightning Resistance Lv 1
+1 → 2 Horse EXP Gain
Abyss Gear Sockets:
Included Gear:
None
Riding Attire Stats
Defense: 5 → 31
Lightning Resistance Lv 1
Reduces Horse Taming Difficulty
Whip (Skill)
Abyss Gear Sockets:
Included Gears:
None
Riding Cloak Stats
Defense: 5
Ice Resistance Lv 3
Stamina Cost: -0% → –10%
+1 Horse EXP Gain
Master Trainer’s Touch Stats
Defense: 3 → 17
Attack: 11 → 29
Critical Rate Lv 1 → 2
+1→ 2 Horse EXP Gain
Abyss Gear Sockets:
Included Gears:
None
Riding Boots Stats
Defense: 3 → 16
Attack: 11 → 28
Movement Speed Lv 1 → 2
+1 → 2 Horse EXP Gain
Abyss Gear Sockets:
Included Gears:
None
Dwarf Necklace Stats
Attack: 0 → 11
Spirit Regen: +0 → 0.4/s
For the record, I don’t think you really need to socket any additional Equestrian Abyss Gears, but if you have a spare, I’d say go for it.
Acquisition
You can obtain the Riding set from horse-related locations across Hernand and Demeniss.
Riding Helmet Location
You can purchase the Leather Riding Hat from the Saddlery in the City of Demeniss after reaching 100 Trust with this specific vendor, and she’ll still charge you 37.18 silver for it.
Riding Chestpiece Location
You receive the Riding Attire for completing the Darkhooves Grand Prix Challenge by winning 4 horse races in a row at the horse racetrack in Demeniss. You may need to complete Chapter VIII: Blood Coronation before you can do this.
Riding Cloak Location
You can purchase the Riding Cloak from the Back Alley Shop near Saddlewind Ranch in the Hills of No Return in northwestern Hernand. You’ll need to reach 100 Trust with this vendor before he’ll sell it to you for a wallet-rending 76.88 silver.
Riding Gloves Location
While they don’t share the set’s namesake, the Master Trainer’s Touch are absolutely part of the Rider set because they match the appearance, stats, acquisition method, and there are no named Riding Gloves.
You receive them for completing the quest “Hooves Through the Wind” by besting a noble in a horse race near the Equinsher Saddlery between Hernand Town and Howling Hills.
Riding Boots Location
You receive the Riding Boots for winning a race against the Apprentice Rider at the Demeniss Horse Fair northwest of the Golden Plains. You may need to complete Chapter VIII: Blood Coronation before you can do this.
Riding Necklace Location
There is no official Riding Necklace, but the Dwarf Necklace is a compelling option given that all of the Saddleries are run by dwarves and the necklace itself looks like a horseshoe.
You can craft the Dwarf Necklace after reading Accessories of the World, Vol. III, which you can steal from the top of the tower in Tariv, the village of sorcerers in northwestern Demeniss.
