Beginner's Guide and Advice for Red Dead Online 100%

Step into the Wild West with Confidence: A Beginner’s Guide to Red Dead Redemption 2

Embark on an epic journey through the untamed landscapes of 1899 America in Rockstar’s masterpiece, Red Dead Redemption 2. With its vast open world and intricate gameplay mechanics, this game can be daunting for newcomers. But fear not! This beginner’s guide will equip you with the essential tips and tricks to navigate the lawless frontier, from mastering survival skills to unraveling the mysteries of the Wild West. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a cowboy newbie, get ready to ride into the sunset with confidence and style.

On the following page we have put together various tips for Red Dead Redemption 2. They concern many important elements of the game, such as world exploration, completing missions, camp management or combat. Thanks to our Begginer’s Guide it will be easier to find your place in the game world and make your first decisions, and some of them also warn about important events and changes that take place later in the game. Some of the topics listed below are described in more detail in separate chapters of the guide.

Exploration

Exploration is a key aspect of Red Dead Redemption 2, offering a vast open world set in a fictionalized version of the United States in 1899. Players can explore diverse landscapes, from mountains to urban settlements, encountering various wildlife and random events along the way. It’s advisable to engage in extensive exploration during chapters 2 and 3, as this allows you to discover new locations, complete stranger missions, and participate in activities like hunting and fishing. Utilizing the “Eagle Eye” ability helps highlight wildlife, plants, and other points of interest, making exploration more efficient and rewarding. Additionally, interacting with the environment and engaging in side activities can provide valuable resources and insights into the game’s story and characters.

While completing the missions in the first chapter, you cannot freely explore the game world or engage in additional activities. The first chapter is an introduction to the game’s storyline, although some of the missions in this chapter also serve as tutorials, such as fighting or hunting for wild animals.
The game world opens in the second chapter, i.e. after leaving the camp in the mountains and reaching the camp at Horseshoe Overlook. From this point on, Arthur Morgan has access to all the areas available in the main storyline, with the exception of the State of New Austin (a region known from the first Red Dead Redemption).
Attempting to enter the state of New Austin prematurely means a quick death for the protagonist. This state becomes available only during the game’s long epilogue, after completing several of its missions.
Quick travel is initially available only in the form of train and stagecoach – the destination is set after buying a ticket in the appropriate spot. Free fast travel will also be available in the camp after buying one of the improvements in the camp book. This map will also automatically be transferred to your home when the main storyline is completed.
You may not feel safe in all locations in the game world. In addition to the state of New Austin, avoid investigating locations marked in red that are not accessible to unauthorized people. Gang hideouts are also dangerous. Arthur will be attacked after entering such a camp. However, it is worth attacking them, as there are many valuable items in gangs’ hiding camps.

Missions

In Red Dead Redemption 2, missions are a crucial part of the gameplay experience, offering a structured narrative while allowing players to explore the vast open world. The game is divided into chapters, each containing a series of main story missions that advance the plot and unlock new features such as fishing and camp upgrades. Additionally, there are side missions and stranger missions that provide additional storylines and rewards. Completing missions often requires meeting specific objectives, such as achieving a certain level of accuracy or completing tasks within a time limit, which can earn players gold medals. These missions not only drive the story forward but also offer opportunities to engage in various activities like combat, hunting, and exploration, making the game rich in both narrative and gameplay depth.

You can recognize mission types by their markers on the world map. Yellow tags are main quest mission givers. White tags are side quest givers – only a large question marker may be visible on the map (for example on the picture above) until the person who commissions the task is discovered. Small white dots are random events that occur while travelling around the game world.
Most of the side missions that we will not be able to complete during the main questline are available when the story is completed. One exception is the second mission from Mary, which is available in Saint Denis (the marker will appear after reading the letter that will come to the camp). It is a good practice to complete side missions in parallel to the main missions.
The game offers the possibility of creating manual save games – choose the option (Story) from the pause menu. This is very helpful, because there are choices to be made in many missions. It is advisable to create a manual save before the start of each larger mission. You can also repeat story missions by selecting them from the pause menu – Progress and then Story Mode. This is a good way if you want to win a gold medal. Unfortunately, the game does not remember your choices this way. If you want them to be fixed, play the mission from the manual save you made beforehand.
Leopold Strauss’ usury missions should be completed no later than in the sixth chapter, as they will no longer be available in the epilogue.

Camps

In Red Dead Redemption 2, camps serve as crucial hideouts for the Van der Linde gang and offer several essential features. The main camp, which becomes available in Chapter 2, allows players to rest, engage in conversations with gang members, and participate in activities like sharing meals and completing chores. Upgrading the camp is vital, as it unlocks new items and features, such as fast travel. This can be done by accessing the camp ledger, which becomes available after completing specific missions. Keeping supplies high in the camp boosts morale, encouraging gang members to donate more. Additionally, players can set up temporary camps in the wilderness, allowing them to rest and recharge in various locations across the game’s vast open world.

Gang camp becomes available for the first time after you get to the second chapter of the game. Not all of its “attractions” are unlocked from the start. You need to advance further in the main story or purchase relevant upgrades.
In most cases you return to the camp to improve it, pick up new tasks, rest and replenish supplies. During your stay in the camp, you can also make friends with other members of the gang and get information from them, for example, about potential new quests or places suitable for robbery.
You can help with chores in the camp, i.e. by moving heavy bags. These activities reward you with honor points and can also speed up the process of improving Arthur’s stats.

You can set up mobile camps while travelling around the game world. They allow you to, for example, cook something or rest. Creating a portable camp always spawns a horse to your vicinity, assuming that your mount is within the range of the whistle. This option is useful when the horse gets stuck on a rock that is inaccessible or in any other place that is far from Arthur.
You don’t have to bring food to the camp, although the gang members will ask you for it. The gang will never die of hunger.
During your stay in the camp, you can change your clothes by interacting with the chest next to the hero’s tent. Changing clothes is not just a cosmetic change. The game rewards you for matching your outfit to the current weather conditions. In the initial chapters of the game you travel through colder locations, but when you arrive in areas with a higher temperature, you should wear something lighter. You can always find your hats in the wardrobe if you lose them in the game world. You can buy new items of clothing in stores.
Use your bed in the camp if you want to change the time of day quickly. Some activities are easier to do during the daytime, while others may work out much better when the dusk falls (e.g. sneaking into enemy locations).

Money

In Red Dead Redemption 2, managing your finances is crucial as money can be scarce, especially in the early chapters. To earn cash quickly, consider completing story missions and side quests, as these often provide substantial rewards. Hunting and selling animal pelts and meat to butchers is another viable option. Additionally, stealing and selling horses, particularly rare breeds, can yield significant profits. You can also explore the world to find hidden stashes in buildings or loot from defeated enemies. Lastly, selling trinkets and stolen goods to fences can help boost your income, but be cautious of accumulating a bounty by engaging in illicit activities.

There is no problem with the availability of money in the game, although you can feel a lack of cash at the beginning of your adventures. The money that Arthur Morgan will earn during the whole main storyline should be enough to purchase and extended all improvements of the camp. After completing the main story, hero’s account will be over $20,000 and actually there is nothing to do with it, so don’t hesitate to spend money during the game.
Not all additional activities in the game are profitable. For example, wanted posters are certainly interesting missions in terms of gameplay, but in the aspect of finances they are not so important. Rewards for catching villains are ridiculously low. The same applies to shop robberies. You can get relatively little cash in this way and get into unnecessary problems with the law.
If possible, loot the bodies of killed enemies. They contain not only money, but also valuable items (jewels) that can be sold in the camp. However, try not to search the corpse while being watched or in public, because you may be suspected of theft.
In addition to searching enemy bodies, it is also good to search buildings and look into all interactive containers. This will allow you to gain cash and valuable items, but also in this case be careful not to be caught in the hot deed.

Horses and Mounts

In Red Dead Redemption 2, horses are not just mounts but integral companions that serve as transportation, storage, and even companionship. The game features 19 different breeds, each with unique characteristics and stats, allowing players to choose horses that suit their style and needs. Horses can be obtained by purchasing them from stables, catching wild ones, or even stealing them from other characters. Bonding with your horse is crucial as it enhances its performance and loyalty. Players can improve their horse’s abilities by upgrading saddles and stirrups, and maintaining a strong bond through regular grooming and care. Whether you opt for speed with breeds like the Thoroughbred or prefer strength with the Arabian, your horse will be a vital part of your journey through the American West.

In Red Dead Redemption 2 you don’t have the same horse throughout the whole game. What’s more, you can become the owner of several different horses and select them according to your own preferences and their statistics.
It is a good idea to carry a Horse Reviver, which can be purchased for less than $10 in a shop. A steed can fall in very strange and unforeseen situations, e.g. when colliding with a tree in full gallop or falling from a higher height. A reviver allows you to cure your horse if it gets injured and is still alive. The lack of such item leaves only the option of killing a seriously injured animal. Its possible loss is not only painful, but also troublesome.
Hitting something small with your horse doesn’t necessary mean problems. What is more, some of these incidents can be rewarding for you, i.e. your horse can hit a rabbit or a bird. This gives you meat, feathers and other crafting and cooking materials – you won’t have to hunt these animals yourself. Pay attention to the radar – dead animals are marked with a special icon.
Every relationship with a horse that becomes the property of the main character must be re-established from scratch. The easiest way to do this is by doing simple things like combing, patting and feeding a steed. Moving to the next level of bond will unlock new moves while riding.
The game allows you to assign clothes to your horse – press the right button when you are browsing through them in the hero’s chest. Try to assign one set of clothes for cold terrains and one for more warm lands. Thanks to that you will be able to quickly switch between clothes when you decide to go to mountains or to visit warmer locations (you won’t have to go back to the gang hideout). You can also assign your hat to the horse – thanks to that you will be able to quickly re-equip it.

Combat

In Red Dead Redemption 2, combat is a crucial aspect of gameplay, offering both melee and ranged options. For fistfights, players can punch, block, and grab using specific buttons: on PlayStation 4, these are Circle to punch or break throws, Square to block, and Triangle to grab, while on Xbox One, they are B, X, and Y respectively. When engaging in gunfights, it’s essential to use cover effectively and prioritize precise shot placement, as a well-placed headshot can take down most enemies quickly. Additionally, managing ammo types and weapon choices is vital, as some weapons are more effective than others in different situations.

If you have a firearm in your hand, pressing the shot button (right trigger) immediately in the vicinity of your opponent will cause Morgan to make a quick finisher, e.g. a headshot. Finishers vary depending on your gun type, so remember to keep them in mind when your character is surrounded by enemies.
The game will always inform you when your weapon needs to be cleaned. The oil needed for this process can usually be found on the bodies of killed enemies – it can also be bought in shops. The penalty for using a rusty / dirty gun or rifle is not too high (their statistics are slightly lowered), but still it is worth checking once in a while whether your weapon is fully ready to fight. The above picture shows an example of a weapon after it has been cleaned.
Dead Eye can be used not only to mark enemies in slow motion, but simply to slow down time.
Other types of ammunition are available in stores. You should be especially interested in “express” bullets, which increase the overall gun damage. Bow arrows are also useful as they’re strictly adapted to hunting. Using them makes it possible to obtain higher quality animal skins – they can be sold for a better price or used for crafting purposes (e.g. upgrading a bag for items). The ammunition type can be changed directly on the weapon selection wheel.
Stores can also sell new weapons. However, buying them isn’t the best idea because some of them can be acquired, i.e. during missions. What is more, the best weapons aren’t available right from the beginning, you need to make enough progress in the story campaign to get them. Other interesting items that you can purchase are permanent item upgrades. For example, buying a better belt allows you to carry more ammo.
Pressing the “jump” button (square on PlayStation 4) while aiming with a weapon will let Morgan to jump forward, similar as in Max Payne’s iconic movement. Doing a forward jump throw can be combined with slowing time, just like in iconic bullet time.

Sneaking

Sneaking in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires finesse and strategy. To perform stealth kills, you’ll need to equip a melee weapon like a knife or your bare fists, crouch using the L3 button, and approach your target from behind. There is no prompt for stealth kills, so timing and positioning are crucial. Using a bow can also be stealthy, but be cautious as the noise might alert other enemies if not done correctly. For more challenging stealth objectives, such as the Weapons Expert Challenge 9, you’ll need to kill nine enemies from behind using a bow, which requires patience and careful maneuvering to avoid detection3.

During sneaking, you can not only overpower the victims, but also kill them quietly. In order to do this, you have to arm yourself with any white weapon in the weapon selection wheel, e.g. a knife. Kills with a machete, although very brutal, are also considered as silent eliminations.
The binoculars, which your hero always has at his disposal, are helpful in carrying out activities from hiding. You can use the binoculars to look around and find out where your opponents reside.
If it is too risky to approach an opponent, consider usinga bow. When you use a bow, always aim at the opponent’s head, so that your enemy should die in a single hit.
If you do not wish to kill anyone, only, e.g. have them surrender during a chase, you can fire a warning shot. When aiming the gun, press the up arrow on the d-pad to aim in the air. You can then press the fire button to have Arthur fire a warning shot.
Other means to incapacitate someone without killing them are hand to hand combat or using the lasso. In the case of former, you’ll need to rely on the dodge and block buttons. This will reduce the risk of receiving damage and losing the fight. Lasso comes in hand when, for example, you’re chasing someone on the horseback and want to wrap things up quickly.

Wanted status and issues with law

In Red Dead Redemption 2, managing your wanted status is crucial to avoid unnecessary confrontations with law enforcement. When you commit a crime, witnesses can alert the authorities, leading to a bounty being placed on your head. If a witness identifies you, lawmen will actively pursue you, and your wanted status will be marked as “Known Suspect.” You can avoid this by wearing a bandana, which makes you an “Unknown Suspect,” making it easier to evade capture. To clear your wanted status, you can either pay off your bounty at a post office or spend time in jail. Additionally, committing multiple high-severity crimes can lead to town lockdowns, limiting your interactions and access to certain areas.

You can get into trouble with the law if you commit a crime in a public place, e.g. when you hit someone, murder a person or do a robbery (this applies not only to shop robberies, but also to stealing corpses or stealing items out of chest). In some cases the game allows you to stop witnesses of the crime. You have to hurry to make sure they don’t manage to get to the local law enforcement officers.
Always try to get out of the red circle on the map quickly, because it indicated the area where the guards of the law actively hunt for your hero. It is worth noting that after you successfully leave the circle the committed crimes do not get erased – same applies to the bounty reward for catching your wanted hero. This only avoids direct confrontation at a given moment.
Try to make a few preparations before you decide to commit a crime (besides wearing a bandana). Be sure that there are no people around a stagecoach that you plan on robbing. Scout the area before you rob a store. Certain shops may have illegal business at their back. One of them can be found at the back of the drug store in Valentine. You can force the trader to unlock the door to the back of the store. Kill everyone inside to collect better treasures (i.e. a unique revolver).

If you have enough money on your account, it is not worth postponing the payment of penalties for the committed crimes. As you commit more crimes, the penalty will continue to grow and you may have even more trouble avoiding guardians of the law and bounty hunters. You can pay all penalties by visiting any post office.
Take care of yourself when travelling in cities such as Valentine, Strawberry and Saint Denis. Using a horse in this type of location is associated with a high risk of hitting a pedestrian. As a result, you may find yourself on the wanted list and unwittingly increase the amount of the wanted reward for catching you. Move slower on horseback and watch people walking by because they may suddenly enter the street.

What are the first things I should do after starting Red Dead Redemption 2

When starting Red Dead Redemption 2, here are some essential activities to focus on during your initial hours of gameplay:

Get Familiar with the Camp:
- Explore the camp and learn its functions, such as cooking at the campfire and managing supplies.
- Bond with the Van Der Linde gang members to enhance your experience and story progression.
Loot Enemies:
- Looting is crucial for acquiring money, ammunition, and resources early on. Make it a habit to loot every enemy you defeat3.
Arm Yourself:
- Acquire a solid arsenal by purchasing or upgrading weapons. This will help in combat and hunting.
Bond with a Horse:
- Find a reliable horse and bond with it. Regularly brush and care for your horse to improve its performance and loyalty.
Explore the Map:
- Once you reach Chapter 2, start exploring the open world, but initially focus on getting familiar with your surroundings rather than venturing too far3.
Manage Your Gear:
- Ensure you have appropriate clothing for different weather conditions. Store outfits in your saddle bag for easy access5.
Master Dead Eye:
- Practice using Dead Eye for precise shooting and strategic combat advantages.

By focusing on these activities, you’ll set yourself up for a strong start in the game.

How do I bond with my horse in Red Dead Redemption 2

Bonding with your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for improving its performance and loyalty. Here are the key ways to increase your horse’s bond level:

How to Bond with Your Horse

Ride Your Horse:
- Simply riding your horse increases its bond level over time. Use automatic horse travel for a more relaxed experience.
Feed Your Horse:
- Feed your horse nutritious foods like oat cakes, apples, and hay. This not only increases the bond but also restores health and stamina.
Groom Your Horse:
- Brush your horse regularly to keep it clean and increase the bond level. Use the horse brush from the horse item menu.
Pat Your Horse:
- Pat your horse while standing next to it by locking onto it with L2 and selecting ‘pat’. You can also pat it while riding by pressing L33.
Calm Your Horse:
- If your horse gets spooked, calm it down by pressing L3. This helps increase the bond level.
Spend Quality Time:
- Lead your horse, swim with it, or simply spend time near it to gradually increase the bond.

Benefits of Higher Bond Levels

Improved Health and Stamina: Your horse becomes more resilient.
Increased Call Distance: You can call your horse from further away.
Advanced Maneuvers: Unlock moves like rearing, skid turns, and drifting as you progress through the bond levels.

By consistently performing these actions, you’ll strengthen your bond with your horse, making it a more reliable and skilled companion throughout your journey.

Beginner’s Guide and Advice for Red Dead Online 100%