Wrangling sheep may seem like a peaceful task, but in Red Dead Redemption 2’s “The Sheep and the Goats,” it quickly escalates into a high-stakes showdown with Leviticus Cornwall. From mastering herding techniques to unleashing Dead Eye precision, this mission tests your skills in both strategy and sharpshooting—all while navigating the treacherous world of outlaws and uneasy alliances.
Walkthrough: A rather long mission with a few twists. Start by following John. Enter the gunsmith. Purchase the sniper rifle – don’t worry about your funds, its price is set to $0.
Arthur and John have to reach the top of the hill. Use your recently purchased weapon and shoot near the sheep. This makes the animals run in different directions. The riders will get scared of. Go to the herd and get all the sheep back.
Your new task is to lead the herd to the town. The animals react to your movement – stay behind them and don’t let any of them leave to herd. Speak with the “traders”. Meet with Dutch and Leopold in the saloon.
Watch a cut-scene. You now have to rescue your friends. Slowly take out your weapon and shoot the enemies who are holding John and Leopold. Time for a shootout – there are a lot of enemies. Use covers, aim accurately and follow your companions.
Reach the town’s outskirts – approach wounded Strauss, pick him up and stow on John’s horse. Your companions leave the town – defeat a few enemies and then get on your horse. Time to escape from Valentine – a few law enforcers will go after you. Regain anonymity to complete the mission.
How to get a gold medal in The Sheep and the Goats?
- Herd all the sheep into the pen in Valentine – Carefully lead the sheep to the town. Be sure that none of the animals leaves the herd.
- Score 25 headshots – There are a lot of enemies in this mission – aim carefully. A few extra enemies will appear at the end of the mission. This is a good moment to get a few extra headshots.
- Complete the mission with at least 70% accuracy – This is rather difficult to do, especially when you also have to complete the challenge listed above. Shoot when you are sure that a bullet will hit its target.
- Complete the mission without items that replenish health.
What makes “The Sheep and the Goats” mission so challenging
“The Sheep and the Goats” mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 presents several challenges that make it stand out:
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Sheep Herding: The mission requires players to herd a group of 15 sheep through the countryside and into Valentine’s auction pens. This involves using techniques like shouting and firing guns to keep the herd moving in the right direction, while preventing any sheep from straying.
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Combat and Stealth: The situation escalates when Leviticus Cornwall appears, leading to a tense standoff and subsequent firefight. Players must use Dead Eye effectively to take out multiple enemies while protecting hostages, aiming for 25 headshots with high accuracy.
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Gold Medal Requirements: To achieve a Gold Medal, players must complete the mission without taking health items, maintain a high accuracy rate, and ensure all sheep are herded successfully. These requirements add an extra layer of difficulty and strategy.
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Dynamic Environment: The mission involves navigating through Valentine, dealing with unexpected events like shooters on balconies, and managing the chaos that ensues after the confrontation with Cornwall.
What are the main obstacles when driving the sheep herd
The main obstacles when driving a sheep herd stem from the unique behavioral and physical traits of sheep, as well as environmental factors:
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Sheep Behavior:
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Sheep have a strong flight zone and will move away from handlers, making it challenging to guide them precisely.
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They are easily startled by loud noises, sudden movements, or unfamiliar objects, which can cause panic and scattering.
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Sheep tend to follow a leader but resist moving into dark or unfamiliar areas, such as shadows or new surfaces.
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Herding Dynamics:
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Maintaining group cohesion is critical, as sheep are social animals and will bunch up or scatter if they feel threatened or isolated.
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Sheep instinctively curve around handlers to keep them in sight, requiring careful positioning to guide them effectively.
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Environmental Challenges:
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Sheep move best on level ground or uphill but struggle on downhill slopes due to their weight distribution.
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Transitions between different surfaces or narrow spaces can cause hesitation or bottlenecks, disrupting the herd’s flow.
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Handler Techniques:
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Applying too much pressure can cause sheep to panic and run uncontrollably, while insufficient pressure may fail to motivate movement.
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Strategic use of gates, barriers, and parallel movement is essential to direct the herd smoothly without causing stress.
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These factors require calm, deliberate handling and an understanding of sheep behavior to overcome challenges effectively.
