BDO Horse Breeding Calculator

Estimate your chances of success when breeding horses in Black Desert Online.

Horse Breeding Inputs

A BDO Horse Breeding Calculator is a specialized online tool designed to help players of the MMORPG Black Desert Online estimate the potential outcomes of breeding two horses. Horse breeding in BDO is a complex system involving horse tiers, levels, training, and special items, all of which contribute to the probability of obtaining a higher-tier horse with desirable stats and skills. This calculator simplifies that process by taking key inputs about the parent horses and providing an estimated foal tier, chances for rarer outcomes, and other relevant statistics.

Who should use it?

• New players looking to understand the basics of horse breeding.
• Experienced players aiming to optimize their breeding strategies for specific goals, such as obtaining a Tier 9 Dream Horse or maximizing the chances of a high-tier foal.
• Players who want to assess the potential value of their current horses for breeding purposes.
• Anyone who wants to save time and in-game resources by having a clearer idea of breeding probabilities before committing to the process.

Common misconceptions about BDO horse breeding:

• Myth: Higher horse level *guarantees* a higher tier foal. Reality: While higher levels contribute to better base stats and potentially better skills inherited, the primary factor for foal tier is the tier of the parent horses and the number of breeding attempts used.
• Myth: Breeding two Tier 8 horses always results in a Tier 8 foal. Reality: Breeding two Tier 8 horses has a chance to produce a Tier 8, but also a chance for a Tier 9 Dream Horse (if specific conditions like both parents being level 30 coursers are met) or occasionally lower tiers if breeding attempts are high.
• Myth: All horses of the same tier have equal breeding potential. Reality: While tier is the main factor, the base stats and learned skills of the parent horses can influence the stats and skills of the foal, though not directly the foal’s tier probability in most cases.

BDO Horse Breeding Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The exact BDO horse breeding formula is not officially disclosed by Pearl Abyss and is subject to change with game updates. However, through extensive player testing and data mining, a consensus approximation has emerged. This calculator uses a simplified model based on these observations.

The core of horse breeding probability revolves around the parents’ tiers and the number of “breeding attempts” each horse has used. Each horse has a limited number of breeding attempts (typically 10). As attempts are used, the probability of successfully breeding a foal of a certain tier decreases.

A simplified way to think about the base outcome is:

• Foal Tier = MAX(Tier of Parent 1, Tier of Parent 2) + (Bonus based on sum of tiers)
• Success Rate Modifier = f(Breeding Attempts Used)

When breeding two horses of the same tier (e.g., two Tier 8s), the game attempts to roll for a foal tier based on a distribution. This distribution shifts with breeding attempts. The higher the tier of the parents, the higher the potential foal tier.

For Tier 8 horses specifically, there’s a chance to breed a Tier 9 Dream Horse. This is a separate roll that typically occurs with two Level 30 Tier 8 horses and has a base chance (e.g., 2%).

Key Formula Components (Approximation):

1. Base Tier Roll: The game determines a potential foal tier, generally favoring tiers equal to or higher than the parents.
2. Breeding Attempt Penalty: Each breeding attempt used on a parent horse reduces the probability of achieving higher tiers. This is often modeled as a decreasing percentage chance for each tier bracket.
3. Dream Horse Chance (T8+): A specific bonus chance is applied if breeding two T8 level 30 horses, aiming for a T9.

Variables in BDO Horse Breeding

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Father’s Horse Tier	The base tier of the male parent horse.	Tier (Integer)	1 – 10
Mother’s Horse Tier	The base tier of the female parent horse.	Tier (Integer)	1 – 10
Father’s Breeding Attempts	Number of times the father horse has been bred.	Attempts (Integer)	0 – 10
Mother’s Breeding Attempts	Number of times the mother horse has been bred.	Attempts (Integer)	0 – 10
Parents’ Level (T8+)	Level of the parent horses, particularly relevant for Dream Horse chance.	Level (Integer)	1 – 30
Dream Horse Base Chance	In-game probability modifier for attempting a Tier 9 horse.	Percentage (Decimal)	~0.00 – 0.02
Foal Tier Probability	Estimated chance of obtaining a foal of a specific tier.	Percentage (Decimal)	0 – 100%
Expected Foal Tier	The most likely tier of the offspring.	Tier (Integer)	1 – 9

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Breeding Two High-Tier Horses

Scenario: A player wants to breed two mature Tier 8 horses, both with 0 breeding attempts used, hoping for another high-tier horse or potentially a Dream Horse.

Inputs:

• Father’s Horse Tier: 8
• Mother’s Horse Tier: 8
• Father’s Horse Level: 30
• Mother’s Horse Level: 30
• Breeding Attempts Used: 0
• Dream Horse Attempted?: Yes (2% base chance)

Calculator Output (Estimated):

• Primary Result: High Probability of Tier 8 Foal
• Expected Foal Tier: ~8
• Max Possible Tier: 9 (Dream Horse)
• Chance for Higher Tier (T8+): ~70-85% (split between T8 and T9)
• Chance for T9 (Dream Horse): ~10-15% (including base chance and potential modifiers)

Interpretation: Breeding two fresh Tier 8 horses gives the best odds for obtaining another Tier 8 or the coveted Tier 9 Dream Horse. The 0 breeding attempts are crucial here. Players can expect a high success rate for a Tier 8, with a significant, though not guaranteed, chance for a Dream Horse.

Example 2: Breeding with High Attempts

Scenario: A player needs to breed a Tier 6 horse with a Tier 5 horse. The Tier 6 horse has already been used for breeding 7 times, and the Tier 5 horse has been used 5 times.

Inputs:

• Father’s Horse Tier: 6
• Mother’s Horse Tier: 5
• Father’s Horse Level: 15
• Mother’s Horse Level: 12
• Breeding Attempts Used: 7 (on Father), 5 (on Mother)
• Dream Horse Attempted?: No

Calculator Output (Estimated):

• Primary Result: Moderate to Low Chance for T6 Foal
• Expected Foal Tier: ~5-6
• Max Possible Tier: 6
• Chance for Higher Tier (T6): ~40-55%
• Chance for T5: ~30-45%
• Chance for Lower Tier (T1-T4): ~5-15%

Interpretation: With a significant number of breeding attempts already used on both parent horses, the probability of breeding a higher tier (Tier 6 in this case) is considerably reduced. The expected outcome leans towards Tier 5 or Tier 6, with a non-negligible chance of getting a lower tier foal. This scenario highlights how breeding attempts heavily penalize success rates.

How to Use This BDO Horse Breeding Calculator

1. Input Parent Horse Tiers: Enter the current tier for both the father and mother horse (values typically range from 1 to 10).
2. Enter Parent Horse Levels: Input the current level of each parent horse. While not directly affecting tier probability for lower tiers, Level 30 T8 horses are essential for Dream Horse attempts.
3. Specify Breeding Attempts: Crucially, enter how many times each parent horse has already been used for breeding. This significantly impacts success rates. A value of ‘0’ indicates a fresh horse.
4. Dream Horse Option: If you are specifically attempting to breed a Tier 9 Dream Horse (requires two Level 30 Tier 8 horses), select ‘Yes’. Otherwise, choose ‘No’.
5. Click ‘Calculate Breeding’: The calculator will process your inputs.

How to read results:

• Primary Highlighted Result: Gives a quick summary of the most likely outcome (e.g., “High Probability of Tier 8 Foal”).
• Expected Foal Tier: The tier the offspring is most likely to be.
• Max Possible Tier: The highest tier the foal could potentially reach under your inputted conditions.
• Chance for Higher Tier: The combined probability of getting a foal that is one or more tiers higher than the highest-parent tier.
• Chart Visualization: Observe the bar chart which visually represents the approximate probability distribution across different foal tiers.

Decision-making guidance: Use the results to decide if breeding these specific horses is worthwhile. If the odds are heavily stacked against a desirable outcome (e.g., high breeding attempts, low parent tiers), you might consider training new horses or using different breeding pairs.

Key Factors That Affect BDO Horse Breeding Results

Several elements influence the outcome of horse breeding in Black Desert Online. Understanding these is key to successful breeding strategies:

1. Parent Horse Tiers: This is the most significant factor. Higher tier parents have a higher potential to produce higher tier offspring. Breeding two Tier 1 horses will never result in a Tier 8, whereas breeding two Tier 8 horses opens the possibility for Tier 8 and Tier 9.
2. Breeding Attempts Used: Each horse has a limited number of breeding attempts (typically 10). As attempts are consumed, the probability of breeding higher-tier foals decreases significantly. This is a major deterrent for over-breeding a single horse.
3. Horse Level (Especially for T9): For standard tier breeding (below T9), parent levels primarily affect base stats and skill inheritance. However, to even attempt breeding a Tier 9 Dream Horse, both parent horses must be Level 30 Tier 8.
4. Dream Horse Mechanics (T9): Breeding Tier 9 Dream Horses (Arduanatt, Dine, Doom) is a distinct process requiring specific conditions (two Level 30 T8 coursers) and involves a base percentage chance that can be influenced by various in-game factors or events.
5. Training and Awakening: While not directly part of the initial breeding calculation, the stats and skills inherited by a foal are influenced by the parents’ trained stats and learned skills. A “courser” T8 horse has better potential than a regular T8.
6. Game Updates and Patches: Pearl Abyss frequently updates BDO. The exact mechanics, probabilities, and even available tiers can change. Calculators are based on the *current* understanding of the game’s mechanics and may need adjustments after major patches.
7. Imperial Horse Delivery: While not affecting the foal’s tier, successfully delivering high-tier horses (especially T8 and Dream Horses) to the Imperial Horse Delivery NPC provides valuable rewards (Horse Emblem boxes, Crown of the Tempest, etc.), influencing the economic viability of breeding.
8. Chance-Based RNG: Ultimately, BDO horse breeding involves a significant element of Random Number Generation (RNG). Even with the best odds, there’s always a chance for an unfavorable outcome, and conversely, lucky players can sometimes achieve great results against the odds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the highest horse tier in BDO?

Currently, the highest obtainable horse tier is Tier 9 (Dream Horses like Arduanatt, Dine, and Doom). Tier 10 horses are not yet implemented in the game.

Can I breed a Tier 9 from horses lower than Tier 8?

No, Tier 9 Dream Horses can only be bred from two Level 30 Tier 8 horses (specifically, Tier 8 coursers). Breeding lower-tier horses will result in foals up to the maximum tier of the parents.

How many breeding attempts does a horse have?

Most horses have a maximum of 10 breeding attempts. Once both the male and female parent horses have used all 10 attempts, they can no longer be used for breeding.

Does the father or mother horse influence the foal more?

Both parent horses contribute equally to the potential foal tier, with the foal’s tier generally being at least the tier of the higher-parent. However, the number of breeding attempts used on *each* parent significantly impacts the success rate for higher tiers.

What are “Courser” horses?

Courser is a special designation for Tier 8 horses that have learned specific high-level skills (like Sprint, Drift, Instant Accel, Sideways, Charge, Streak and potentially others). These horses are necessary if you aim to breed a Tier 9 Dream Horse.

How can I increase my chances of getting a Dream Horse?

Use two Level 30 Tier 8 *courser* horses with 0 breeding attempts. Ensure you select ‘Yes’ for the Dream Horse attempt in the calculator. While the base chance exists, using fresh, high-level coursers maximizes your odds.

What happens if I breed horses with different tiers?

The foal’s tier will be influenced by both parents. Generally, the foal will be at least the tier of the higher-ranking parent. For example, breeding a Tier 7 and a Tier 8 horse can result in a Tier 7 or Tier 8 foal, with a small chance for a lower tier depending on breeding attempts.

Are there items that boost breeding success rate?

While there aren’t direct consumable items that boost the *tier* probability on standard breeding, certain event buffs or specific game mechanics might influence rates temporarily. Successfully delivering T8 horses can yield items that help train horses to become coursers, indirectly aiding Dream Horse breeding.

Does the gender of the parents matter?

For the purpose of calculating foal tier and success probability, the gender of the parent horses (stallion/mare) does not directly matter. Both can act as the ‘father’ or ‘mother’ in the breeding system.

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