TL;DR
- The lion is found at The Laughing Marionette circus in Demeniss.
- Walk up and press Square (PS) / X (Xbox) to ride it — no taming fight needed.
- It is very fast but has low stamina.
- You cannot keep it as a permanent mount (as of Patch 1.00.03).
- Wait until after Chapter 8 before visiting — guards are hostile before that.
How to Get a Lion Mount in Crimson Desert
Lions in Crimson Desert are apex predators that were nearly hunted to extinction. Finding one in the wild is nearly impossible — they are rare, hostile, and only found deep in the Crimson Desert region. But there is one guaranteed spot where you can find a calm, rideable lion.
Head to The Laughing Marionette, a circus located just outside the City of Demeniss. This is the only confirmed location where a non-hostile lion can be found. No fighting, no taming mechanic — just walk up and ride.
Crimson Desert is available on PC via Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. You can also check the official Crimson Desert site for the latest updates.
Where to Find the Lion — Exact Location
The lion is at The Laughing Marionette in Demeniss. On your map, find the text “Demeniss.” The circus sits between the “M” and the second “E” of that name — just outside the city walls.
The Laughing Marionette won’t always appear as a big map icon until you get close. Set a waypoint there manually. Once you arrive, you’ll see colorful circus tents and various animals. Look near the tents in the center of the camp. The lion will be sitting down, usually being petted by NPCs.
How to Ride the Lion
Riding the lion is straightforward:
- Walk up to the lion.
- Press Square on PlayStation or X on Xbox when the prompt appears.
- You’ll mount it instantly with no resistance.
Important: The riding prompt will not appear if you are wearing a mask. Remove it before approaching.
Once mounted, you can ride freely. You can also use your own weapons from the lion’s back. The lion itself does not have attack abilities — all combat still comes from Kliff’s equipped weapons.
Lion Mount Stats — What to Expect
- Speed: Very fast. One of the quickest land mounts in the game.
- Stamina: Low. It is a sprinter, not an endurance mount. It burns through stamina quickly and cannot sustain long runs.
- Combat: You use your own weapons while riding. The lion does not attack independently.
Think of it as a great mount for short, fast bursts — quick getaways, crossing short distances fast, or grabbing a dramatic screenshot. It is not suited for long cross-map travel.
When Should You Get the Lion?
Wait until after Chapter 8. Before that point in the main story, the guards around The Laughing Marionette region are extremely hostile. If they spot you, combat breaks out — and the chaos often causes the lion to flee and despawn.
After Chapter 8, the political situation shifts and you can approach the circus without triggering a fight. This makes the whole process much easier and cleaner.
If you need help with the main story to get there, check our Crimson Desert all main story quests and chapters guide.
Can You Keep the Lion as a Permanent Mount?
No — not as of Patch 1.00.03.
The lion is classified as a temporary mount. Here is what that means in practice:
- Once you dismount, the lion is gone.
- If it is killed, it is gone.
- You cannot register it at a stable or summon it later.
- You cannot store it as a pet.
The lion will eventually respawn at The Laughing Marionette, but this can take several in-game weeks. It can also despawn on its own if it is spooked or wandered too far from the circus area.
This is different from permanent mounts like horses and the Blackstar dragon, which can be registered and called at will. The lion falls into the same category as other exotic temporary mounts in the game. For a full breakdown of how the mount system works, see our Crimson Desert horse guide.
Tips Before You Go
- Don’t wear a mask — the ride prompt won’t appear.
- Come after Chapter 8 to avoid guard fights.
- Move fast — get on the lion and ride before nearby NPCs react.
- Don’t stress about the stamina — use it for quick bursts, not long travel.
- Wild lions are always hostile. Only this circus lion is rideable.
Other Mounts Worth Knowing About
If you are looking for something more permanent and wild, Crimson Desert has plenty of other options. You can get a bear mount — though bears require you to beat them into submission first, which is a very different experience. You can also find legendary creatures scattered across the world, some of which are rideable. Check all legendary horse locations if you want the best permanent horse in the game, or learn how to get a dragon for a late-game flying mount.
If you want to explore more of what Crimson Desert has to offer, our Crimson Desert hub page covers guides for every part of the game.
Will Pearl Abyss Add Permanent Lion Mounts?
It is possible. Pearl Abyss has shown it actively updates Crimson Desert post-launch, and the lion is clearly a fan favorite. If a future patch makes the lion a permanent, registerable mount, this guide will be updated with the new method. Keep checking back.
For now, enjoy the temporary thrill of riding one of the most majestic creatures in Pywel — even if it doesn’t last.
