Elder Scrolls Online Previews Update 49's New Feature: Mounts for Gold, Including One Brand New One

Why It Matters

Gold‑buyable mounts turn a cosmetic feature into a direct revenue stream while enhancing player progression, and the new stables deepen Tamriel’s immersion. This move signals ZeniMax’s strategy to monetize content without compromising free‑to‑play accessibility.

Key Takeaways

• 17 mounts purchasable with gold in Update 49
• New stables added across Tamriel for mount acquisition
• Shadowghost Guar unique nocturnal mount, found in three zones
• Ebon Dwarven Horse exclusive, location undisclosed at launch
• Existing mounts like Snow Bear, Senche‑Cougar now gold‑buyable

Pulse Analysis

The Elder Scrolls Online has long relied on periodic content drops to keep its subscription‑free model fresh, and Update 49 continues that tradition. By making mounts purchasable with in‑game gold, ZeniMax blends cosmetic desirability with a tangible progression incentive. Mounts have traditionally been tied to achievement points or premium currency, so this shift lowers the barrier for casual players while opening a new micro‑transaction avenue. The March 9 release aligns with the broader industry trend of converting high‑visibility items into revenue generators without fragmenting the player base.

The update adds seventeen gold‑buyable mounts, each anchored to newly‑placed stables that mirror the world’s geography. Players will find the Shadowghost Guar in Stonefells, Shadowfen and Murkmire, while the Snow Bear awaits adventurers in Wrothgar and the Reach. The Senche‑Cougar appears in Reaper’s March, and the Yorgrim River Ram populates Eastmarch, the Rift, and Stormhaven. A standout is the Ebon Dwarven Horse, an exclusive mount whose stable location remains hidden at launch, creating a hunt‑for‑the‑rare dynamic that fuels community discussion.

From a business perspective, gold‑based mounts encourage repeat logins and in‑game spending, reinforcing player retention metrics that matter to investors. The addition of region‑specific stables also enriches world‑building, giving players a reason to explore under‑utilized zones. Competitors in the MMO space are watching ESO’s approach, as it demonstrates how free‑to‑play titles can monetize beloved content without resorting to pay‑to‑win mechanics. Future updates are likely to expand this model, potentially introducing seasonal mounts or limited‑time offers that further blend gameplay depth with monetization.

Elder Scrolls Online Previews Update 49's New Feature: Mounts for Gold, Including One Brand New One

As announced back in the Update 49 and Season Zero overview, The Elder Scrolls Online is about to make a variety of mounts buyable with gold when the base‑game update arrives on March 9th.

The team has a new preview about some of the options that you’ll be able to buy, in addition to how you’ll be able to get your hands on them, because mounts will be available in areas where you might naturally expect to find them. New stable masters and stables will appear in places around Tamriel.

For example, the Shadowghost Guar is nocturnal, and this is unique among the breed. They’re rarely seen and a distinctive and rare mount. Stabled in Stonefells, Shadowfen, and Murkmire will be the places you’ll be able to get one of your own.

Similarly, the new devblog shows examples of a number of mounts and the planned stables you’ll be able to track them down. The Snow Bear will be at stables in Wrothgar and the Reach. The Senche‑Cougar will be in Reaper’s March. The Yorgrim River Ram will be found in stables in Eastmarch, the Rift, and Stormhaven.

The blog also reveals more on the Hammerfell Camel, Spotted Duneracer Senche‑Raht, and Frostborn Durzog Mangler, along with where to find them, before unveiling the exclusive mount that will be added, the Ebon Dwarven Horse.

These new mounts that are available for gold are joined by this brand‑new one that will launch with Update 49. This is also the mount that does not have its stable location revealed. There are 17 mounts becoming available with the update, and we’ll see who finds the new horse first.