Core Keeper’s Riders of the Underground Update Will Bring Rideable Mounts on September 21

Core Keeper will receive its 1.3 update, Riders of the Underground, on September 21, 2026. The Core Keeper team confirmed the date in a Steam announcement that also detailed rideable mounts, a new sub-biome, combat changes, pets, gear, and several quality-of-life additions. The announcement follows Core Keeper’s Notes From the Underground #7 teaser, which hinted at a calm, toothy creature and a saddle-like invention in the Forgotten Ruins.

Rideable mounts are the biggest change to underground travel. Every type of cattle will be rideable with the new Saddle, which players can place on their chosen animal before setting off. A dedicated interface will let players rename a mount and choose whether it stays put, wanders freely, or follows them when they are not riding it. Removing the Saddle will return the animal to its normal cattle status.

Moss gives the Forgotten Ruins a peaceful corner

The new Moss sub-biome will appear throughout the darker, more humid parts of the Forgotten Ruins. Its lush greenery and lack of natural predators will offer a calmer space among the ruins, although Cavelings can still wander into the area.

Moss will also introduce the Orex, a raptor-like breed of cattle with sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and front-facing eyes. Despite that intimidating appearance, Orexes are generally placid and eat critters rather than hunting the player.

Magic builds get new tools

Mage and Summoner playstyles will receive talent rebalancing and restructuring across the Magic and Summoning skill trees. Summoners will gain a new weapon type, while Mages will receive new staff weapons. The way summons spawn and remain active will also change, giving both playstyles new systems to work with when the update arrives.

Hookshot and pets expand travel and combat

The Hookshot will arrive as a new off-hand item for crossing pits in the underground. It will work whenever there is a suitable surface to catch, making it useful for clearing small gaps without replacing bridges as the main way to cross larger spaces.

Three new pets are planned for 1.3. The Hoppet will use ranged attacks that can apply the slippery effect, while Azeos Jr will fire projectile shards and can stun enemies. The third pet will remain undisclosed until the update is closer to launch.

More gear and quality-of-life changes are on the way

Riders of the Underground will add 10 armor pieces, 15 rings, 15 necklaces, new pouches, weapons, and enemies. Players will also be able to customize cursor and crosshair indicators, resize paintbrush areas, cycle through loadouts with a new key bind, and compare gear more easily.

Boats, mine carts, and go-karts will return to the player’s inventory if they die while riding them. Go-karts will also receive changes to their handbrake, turning, and inertia for smoother handling.

The full patch notes will arrive when the update launches. For now, 1.3 is the first stop in the Road to the Maw plan, which will continue with two more major updates after Riders of the Underground.

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