Of all the tools at an assassin's disposal in 9th-century Baghdad, from the Hidden Blade to the trusty throwing knife, one is often overlooked yet paramount to a swift and successful operation: your horse. In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a game that refocuses on dense urban parkour and stealth, a fast mount is not about crossing vast open worlds but about navigating the sprawling districts of the Round City and its outskirts with unparalleled efficiency. This guide will detail everything you need to know about mount speed, from the horses available to the methods for maximizing their velocity, ensuring you’re always one gallop ahead of the guards.
The Role of Mounts in Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Unlike its RPG predecessors, Mirage’s map is intentionally more compact, designed for intricate rooftop chases rather than cross-country treks. However, this doesn't diminish the value of a good horse. The streets of Baghdad are wide and often patrolled, making a mounted approach or a rapid escape a vital tactic. A fast horse allows you to:
- Escape Pursuits Instantly: Breaking the line of sight is easier on foot, but putting significant distance between you and an entire garrison is best achieved on horseback. A quick gallop can take you from a heated conflict in Karkh to the safety of the Wilderness in moments.
- Travel Between Districts Quickly: While the game encourages parkour, riding through the main thoroughfares is often the most direct route between two distant points, especially those with fewer connecting rooftops.
- Execute Mounted Takedowns: A swift approach is key for a clean, silent mounted assassination on a lone guard or a target on the road.
The Horses of Baghdad: There's Only One (With a Catch)
Here is the most critical piece of information for players seeking the "fastest" horse: There is no stat-based difference in speed between the regular horses you find in the wild or at stables throughout Baghdad.
This is a deliberate design choice by Ubisoft Bordeaux to align with the game's back-to-basics philosophy. Every common horse you can whistle for, steal from a civilian, or purchase from a stable is functionally identical. Their coats may differ—bay, black, white, or chestnut—but their top speed, acceleration, and stamina are the same. This eliminates the grind of searching for a "better" horse and allows you to choose a mount purely based on aesthetic preference.
However, there is one singular exception that can be considered the game's "ultimate" mount.
The Exclusive Mount: The Midnight Awak
The only horse in Assassin’s Creed Mirage with a unique appearance and, more importantly, a unique attribute is The Midnight Awak. This is not a horse you can find in the world; it is a premium reward.
How to Get The Midnight Awak: The Midnight Awak was available as a bonus for players who pre-ordered the game. For those who did not pre-order, it can be purchased separately as part of the Deluxe Pack DLC. This pack includes this unique mount, the Prince of Persia-inspired "The Great Zagan" Outfit for Basim, a unique Sword and Dagger, and a unique outfit for your eagle companion, Enkidu.
What Makes It Special? While The Midnight Awak is just as fast as any other horse in terms of raw movement speed, it possesses a unique and highly valuable trait: it is completely fearless. Standard horses will spook and buck Basim off if they are near fire, in the middle of a intense fight, or if a predator gets too close. The Midnight Awak remains steadfast and calm in all situations. This allows you to stand your ground in combat on horseback or ride directly through fiery obstacles without losing your means of escape. In this sense, its "speed" is not about galloping faster but about maintaining your pace and control where other mounts would fail, making it the most reliable and efficient mount in the game.
How to Maximize Your Mount's Speed and Efficiency
Since all standard horses share the same speed stats, efficiency comes down to how you use them. Here are the key mechanics and tips to ensure you're always moving at peak velocity.
1. The Whistle Function: Your most powerful tool is Basim's whistle. By pressing down on the D-pad (on controllers), Basim will whistle, and a horse from the nearby environment will automatically come to him. This is incredibly efficient, as you never have to wander looking for a mount. You can be on the outskirts of the city, whistle, and be galloping within seconds.
2. Understanding the Gallop:
Horse speed is controlled by holding down the designated "sprint" button (e.g., Shift on PC, X on PlayStation, A on Xbox). The horse has two main speeds:
- Canter: A standard, steady run. This is the default speed when holding the button.
- Gallop: A full-speed sprint. To achieve this, you must tap the sprint button repeatedly to build up rhythm, much like in older Assassin's Creed titles. Once at full gallop, you can often hold the button to maintain it. Consistent tapping is the key to reaching and sustaining maximum speed.
3. Navigating the Environment:
- Roads are Your Friend: Stick to the main roads and paths. Horses move significantly faster on paved roads than they do off-road through grass or sand. The game’s pathfinding is excellent, so trusting your mount to follow the road while you focus on the map is a great strategy.
- Use the Animus Pulse: Pressing the pulse button (e.g.,
Von PC) will not only highlight objectives and loot but also reveal the road network. This helps you plan the most efficient route on horseback. - Leap of Faith onto Your Horse: A classic and highly effective maneuver. Find a high point overlooking a road, synchronize your location, and perform a Leap of Faith. If your horse is stationed directly below or you whistle just as you jump, Basim will land seamlessly on the saddle and you can immediately gallop away without breaking stride.
4. Evading Pursuers: If you have a wanted level or are being chased by guards on horseback, simply outrunning them in a straight line on a main road is highly effective. Weave through civilian traffic to break their pursuit logic. Dashing through a dense market or taking a sharp alleyway can often cause them to lose you completely.
Conclusion: Speed is in the Technique
In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the quest for the "fastest horse" is less about finding a hidden stat and more about mastering the tools and mechanics provided. Every common horse in Baghdad is a capable and swift companion, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your style. For players seeking the absolute pinnacle of mount performance, The Midnight Awak stands alone not for its sprint speed, but for its unwavering nerve that allows for uninterrupted travel through any chaos.
Ultimately, the fastest assassin is the one who seamlessly blends parkour, stealth, and mounted travel. By mastering the whistle, perfecting your gallop rhythm, and navigating Baghdad's intricate road system, you will ensure that no contract is too distant and no escape is out of reach. Now, mount up, and may the winds of history speed your journey through the streets of Baghdad.
