Thought I'd start this little debate as we approach E3.

Generally, mounts aren't something you're really dependant on in the starting levels. But as you grow, the need to cover long distances quickly becomes greater and eventually you'll end up sitting atop a steed of sorts. But how "soon" will that occur in ESO?

Making a strange theory before I make my prediction, I'll bring up that of PvP. Anyone can enter the Cyrodiil-conflict at level 10 (as it currently stands), and as you assault keeps and such, you'll probably find yourself wanting a quick transportation to the midst of battle. This will probably be the first indication of "dangit, I need a horsie". But at the same time you could argue that while a high level player might not have immense physical/magical superiority over a lower player (since everyone sort of scale to equal stats) - possession of a mount could be that superiority. While at the other end of that same stick, you can't have mounts so far away that only the last 10 levels has them. That would cause a level of imbalance that could mean that "in order to properly perform in a campaign, you'll need a mount". Which would render lowbies "completely useless" in PvP up to the point where they acquire mounts.

My prediction goes: They'll want your first experience in PvP to be about you and the other players - learning how to assault and defend - learning the ropes of the PvP oriented mechanics in Cyrodiil. And they'll want you to focus on that on foot for the first time. So while it aches me to say it (because I personally find it early still, but what the crowd will accept)... level 15-20.

What are your thoughts?

Money.

But riding and mounted combat should be a skilltree.

Things like this should be at the level cap, its much more rewarding when you get it. If its just limited by money then its going to mean nothing, gold farmers will just exploit it and get it at level 2...

I would be fine with around lvl 10 or so you can get a basic mount. A plain horse perhaps related to your race. At lvl cap you can buy a better maybe faster mount. Leaving the cooler mounts tied to a quest of some sort. DAoC did it this way and I thought it was pretty cool. Each of the "end game" mounts had their own quest associated with them. Thought they were fun myself.

Anytime I want and have the cash. This is TES (freedom, etc...). I should be able to steal one too.

Level 20 sounds about right to me.

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't 1-5 and the level doesn't matter be the same thing? You can't buy a mount any sooner then level one.

And how does this effect your game?

Depends on a number of other factors. How much (and far) one needs to travel, and just how many options we have in terms of fast travel. Another repeat of Star Wars: Tired of Running would be bad.

It should be all about money not about level. Horses and other animals used as mounts should not be cheap.

You should get shot in the knee and shins at level 20 and forced to walk everywhere

Let me see. I rode a horse when I was 6 years old. I think I was 3rd level at the time. So 1-5 sounds right.

Level shouldn't matter.

"Dang! My horse is level 50, im only level 5. I wont be able to learn how to ride a horse for another 45 levels... DERP"

Level shouldn't matter. If you have the money you should be able to buy a horse.

Doesn't matter to me, I want to be able to get a mount when I start to need one- it's different where that happens between games but I assume it's somewhere in the middle 20-30.

edit: or as some people have said, remove the level restriction completly.