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Red Dead Redemption 2 Tips
March 31st, 2023

Horse-related tips:

Rooftop Horse Jump: Did you know that if you find yourself in an elevated position like a rooftop or balcony, you can actually jump onto your horse from up high and perform an air mount? Talk about a grand entrance!

Marking Hidden Areas: If you stumble upon a hidden area or a spot you'd like to explore later, you can set multiple markers on the map by pressing the left thumbstick. It's a handy way to remember all those cool locations you come across during your adventures.

Reading Your Horse's Ears: This is a neat little detail from Rockstar - you can actually tell the temperament of horses based on their ears! If their ears are straight up, they're friendly and won't kick you, but if their ears are back, watch out, they might be dangerous.

Doing Donuts on Your Horse: Want to show off some fancy horsemanship? Try spinning the left analog stick and tapping A on Xbox or X on PlayStation to do donuts on your horse! Not only does it look cool, but it's also handy for quickly changing directions or making a 180 turn.

Whistling Types: In RDR2, there are different types of whistles you can use to call your horse. Tapping the d-pad once will call your horse, but tapping it two or three times will make your horse come to you faster. A higher bond level with your horse also increases the distance it will respond to your whistle. Holding up on the d-pad will make your horse follow you around as you explore.

Counter Horse Thieves: If you encounter a random event where a stranger throws you off your horse and tries to steal it, just whistle for your horse while it's still in range. Your horse will throw the thief off its back, saving your ride! Big shoutout to zero MP for this tip!

High-end Stirrups: Be sure to purchase high-end stirrups, as they'll increase your horse's speed and acceleration by two points.

Controlling Your Dismount: You can control which side you get off your horse by holding the left analog stick in the direction you want to dismount. It's a small detail, but it can come in handy in certain situations.

Weapon and Combat Tips:

Dead Eye Boost: Did you know that chewing tobacco in the game can give your Dead Eye meter a quick boost? Perfect for when you find yourself in a tight spot and need that extra edge in a shootout.

Quick Drawing: Wanna feel like a real gunslinger? To quickly draw your sidearm, just lightly press the right trigger (R2/RT) and then fully press it to fire. You'll feel like a true outlaw in no time!

The Power of Dynamite: Don't forget about dynamite! It's a great way to take out a group of enemies or cause some serious chaos. Just light it, throw it, and watch the fireworks.

Dual Wielding: Want to feel like a total badass? Try dual wielding! Equip a second sidearm in your loadout and you can fire both pistols simultaneously. It's perfect for close-quarters combat and taking out multiple enemies at once.

The Importance of Cover: Remember to always use cover in gunfights. You can press RB/R1 to take cover behind objects like walls, rocks, or wagons. Popping in and out of cover while firing can make you a much harder target to hit.

Weapon Maintenance: Don't forget to clean your weapons regularly! Dirty guns can lose their accuracy and do less damage. Plus, it's just good gun ownership etiquette.

Make Use of Throwing Knives: Throwing knives are an excellent stealth option for taking out enemies without raising an alarm. Aim for the head to ensure a quick and quiet takedown.

Switch Shoulder View: While aiming, you can click the right stick to switch the camera to your other shoulder. It's a great way to get a better angle on your targets or to peek around corners without exposing yourself too much.

Horseback Combat: When fighting on horseback, try using the aim assist to lock onto enemies quickly. You can also use your horse to trample enemies or knock them off their horses for an added advantage.

Crafting and Camp Tips:

Crafting on the Go: Did you know you can craft basic items like split point ammo and improved arrows while riding your horse? Just hold the crafting button while mounted and get your DIY on without having to stop and set up camp.

Campfires Galore: If you're in need of a quick rest or some cooking, you don't have to go all the way back to your main camp. You can set up a small campfire just about anywhere by accessing the item wheel and selecting the camp option. Cook up some grub or craft tonics on the spot!

The Beauty of Fast Travel: Once you've upgraded Dutch's lodgings at the main camp, you can unlock the fast travel map. This nifty feature allows you to quickly travel to previously visited locations, saving you precious time and energy.

The Perfect Cuppa: Coffee isn't just for enjoying with a morning paper; it can actually boost your Dead Eye core. Brew up a pot of coffee at camp or your campfire, and drink up for a nice little advantage in combat.

Satchel Upgrades: Upgrading your satchel is a must! It allows you to carry more items, which is super helpful for all your crafting and hoarding needs. Be sure to donate pelts to Pearson to unlock these valuable upgrades.

Donate to the Camp: Contributing to your gang's camp is important for keeping morale high and unlocking valuable upgrades. Money, food, and valuable items are all appreciated, so be generous, partner!

Camp Chores: Doing chores around camp isn't just for building character; it actually boosts your honor level and Dead Eye experience. So grab a bucket, chop some wood, or move some hay bales – every little bit helps.

Recipe Pamphlets: Keep an eye out for recipe pamphlets while exploring the world of RDR2. These useful little guides teach you how to craft new items and tonics. You can find them at general stores, in treasure chests, or as rewards for completing missions.

Legendary Animal Crafting: After hunting legendary animals, don't forget to visit the trapper. They can craft unique clothing items and trinkets from the legendary pelts and parts, giving you some seriously cool (and powerful) gear.

Exploration and Looting

The game's world is huge, and there are loads of hidden goodies and secrets waiting to be discovered. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting landmarks and structures, like abandoned cabins or mysterious caves. You never know what you'll find!

When it comes to looting, make sure you're thorough. Check every drawer, cupboard, and container you come across. Sometimes, you'll find valuable items, like cash or rare crafting materials, tucked away in the most unlikely places. And don't forget about the bodies of your fallen enemies! They often carry useful items, such as ammo, tonics, or even unique weapons.

Keep an eye on your mini-map. It's a great way to spot nearby lootable items, as they'll show up as little "x" icons. Plus, if you find yourself in an area with multiple items to loot, don't worry about picking them up one by one. Just hold down the loot button, and your character will automatically grab everything in the vicinity. Talk about a time-saver!

Remember that your horse can carry more than just you! If you're out exploring and find something valuable but don't have room for it in your inventory, just stow it on your horse. This way, you can keep collecting items without having to worry about running out of space.

Character and Horse Care Tips

Let's talk about keeping your character in tip-top shape. Make sure to keep an eye on your cores—health, stamina, and Dead Eye. When they're low, don't hesitate to eat, drink, or use tonics to replenish them. After all, a well-rested and well-fed cowboy is a happy cowboy! Oh, and don't forget to change your outfit according to the weather. Dressing too warm in hot weather or too cool in cold weather can affect your cores negatively.

Now, onto our trusty steeds! Horse care is a crucial aspect of the game, and it's essential to form a strong bond with your horse. Don't forget to brush, feed, and pat your horse regularly. These simple gestures not only improve your horse's stats and performance but also increase your bond, unlocking new abilities like rearing and skid turns.

Always keep an eye on your horse's health and stamina cores, just like you do with your character. If your horse gets injured or exhausted, give it a proper rest, feed it, or use a tonic to bring it back to good health. And if it's dirty, give it a good brushing to prevent its cores from draining too fast.

Here's a quick tip: if you're planning to venture into an area with a different climate, don't forget to pack an outfit for your horse, too! Equipping a suitable saddle blanket can help protect your horse from the cold or heat.

Hunting Tips

When you're hunting, using your hunter vision is not only helpful for tracking animals but also for looting houses or camps. It'll highlight anything you can interact with, so you won't miss any hidden treasures. And speaking of hunting, make sure you hunt the legendary animals early in the game. By doing so, you can craft trinkets and talismans at fences that'll give you permanent boosts, like slower Deadeye drain or higher quality parts when skinning animals.

When selling a carcass or pelts stored on your horse, you don't have to carry them all the way to the butcher or trapper. Just have your horse close by, and you can sell directly from it.

Interface and Convenience Tips

Quick Map Access: You know when you need to check your map but don't want to go through the whole menu hassle? Just hold the start button, and the map will open up right away. It's a real game-changer!

Change Radar Options on the Fly: Want to customize your radar while you're playing? Hold down on the d-pad, and you can switch between compass, expanded, regular, or even turn it off for more immersion. Personally, I love the expanded view.

Save Time Exiting Menus: Tired of pressing B a bunch of times to exit layered menus? Just hold B, and you'll instantly return to gameplay. Super handy for getting out of stores quicker!

Cinematic Camera for Long Journeys: Got a long journey ahead? Hold the touchpad (PS4) or select button (Xbox) to open the cinematic camera. Your horse will keep walking or running, and you don't even need to touch your controller. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Quick Crafting without Fire: Want to craft something quickly without a fire? Press Y (Xbox) or triangle (PlayStation) while on foot to rest, and you can craft stuff right there. It also helps increase your stamina!

Task List and Journal Access: Need to check your tasks and challenges? Tap left on the d-pad for a full task list. To access your journal, hold left on the d-pad instead. Easy peasy!

Looting Made Faster: Speed up looting by holding X instead of pressing it for each item. Your character will continuously open drawers and loot items in front of them. Talk about efficiency!

First-Person Mode for Precise Looting: Switch to first-person mode when picking up specific items. It's way easier to aim at small objects and control what you're picking up. Plus, press the right thumbstick to do a quick 180 turn while in first-person mode.

Clothing and Outfit Tips

Keep an Eye on Temperature: First things first, always pay attention to the temperature. If your outfit doesn't match the weather, you'll suffer from health and stamina penalties. Layer up for the cold and dress light for the heat, folks!

Store Outfits on Your Horse: You can store up to three custom outfits on your horse for quick access. Super useful when you're traveling between different climates or want to switch up your style on the go. Just open the horse cargo menu and choose the outfits you want.

Mix and Match Clothing: Don't be afraid to mix and match different clothing items to create your unique style. Some combinations might look weird, but hey, you never know what hidden gem you'll find.

Utilize Trapper Outfits: The trapper has some seriously cool outfits, so make sure to visit him! You'll need to hunt and bring him the required pelts, but trust me, it's worth it. Plus, these outfits come with some nice perks.

Customizing Outfit Components: Want to look extra snazzy? You can customize different components of your outfit, like rolling up your sleeves, opening or closing your collar, and even tucking your pants into your boots. It's all in the details!

Match Your Hat with Your Outfit: A cowboy hat can make or break your look, so choose wisely. There are tons of hat styles and colors, so try different combinations to find your perfect match.

Clean and Maintain Your Outfits: Keep your outfits in tip-top shape by cleaning and maintaining them. You can do this at hotels, your camp, or even in a river. A clean and well-maintained outfit will boost your charisma and help you gain respect from other characters.

Save Your Favorite Outfits: Found an outfit you love? Make sure to save it as a custom outfit so you can quickly switch to it whenever you want. You never know when you'll need to impress someone with your impeccable fashion sense!

Interacting with the Environment and NPCs

Greet or Antagonize: You can choose to greet or antagonize NPCs as you meet them. It's super fun to see their reactions, and sometimes it can lead to unexpected encounters or unlock new missions. Just remember, your choices have consequences!

Improve Your Honor: Doing good deeds, like helping strangers in distress or returning lost valuables, will increase your honor. Higher honor means better discounts at shops, and people will generally be friendlier towards you. So, be a good cowboy!

Engage in Mini-Games: Take a break from the main storyline and enjoy some mini-games like poker, dominoes, or five-finger fillet. They're a great way to earn some extra cash and interact with NPCs in a more relaxed setting.

Campfire Stories: When you're near a campfire, you might find people sharing stories or singing songs. Sit down, relax, and enjoy the ambiance. It's these small details that make the world feel alive.

Read Newspapers: Newspapers are a great way to keep up with the latest happenings in the world of RDR2. Plus, they often contain hints and tips for side missions and hidden treasures.

Maintain Your Weapons: Regularly clean and maintain your weapons to ensure they perform at their best. You can even customize them to make them look extra fancy!

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings: Keep an eye out for interesting interactions happening around you. You might stumble upon a random event, like a robbery or a shootout. Get involved or stay out of it; the choice is yours!

Hunt and Fish: Hunting and fishing are not only great ways to earn money, but they also make the game feel more realistic. Plus, they're essential for crafting upgrades and special items.

Use the Cinematic Camera: Want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery while traveling? Switch to the cinematic camera for a more immersive experience. It's like being in your own Western movie!

Experiment with the Lasso: The lasso is a versatile tool, and you can use it in many ways. Try lassoing and hogtying your enemies, or use it to catch wild horses and break them in.

Special Ammo Tips

Express and High Velocity Ammo: These bad boys pack a bigger punch than regular ammo. Express ammo is great for increased damage, while high velocity ammo gives you better range and accuracy. So, when you're in a tight spot, don't forget to load up with these!

Split Point Ammo: Want to improve accuracy and reduce the Dead Eye core drain? Craft yourself some split point ammo at a campfire. It's a total game-changer when you're taking on tough enemies.

Explosive Ammo: When things get really messy, explosive ammo is your best friend. They're perfect for taking down multiple enemies at once or dealing with heavily armored foes. Just be careful with them – you don't want to cause too much collateral damage!

Crafting Ammo: Don't forget that you can craft special ammo using materials you find in the world. Just open up your crafting menu at a campfire and start experimenting. You'll be amazed at the variety of ammo you can create!

Honor System Tips

Your Actions Matter: The choices you make during the game, whether it's helping a stranger or robbing a store, will affect your honor level. A high honor level means better discounts, friendlier interactions with NPCs, and a more positive overall experience.

Witness System: If someone sees you committing a crime, they'll report it to the law, and you'll end up with a bounty on your head. You can try to stop witnesses by threatening or killing them, but remember, this will impact your honor too.

Surrender or Fight: If you're caught by the law, you can choose to surrender or fight your way out. If you have a high honor level, you may receive more lenient punishments or be able to talk your way out of trouble. It's all about weighing the risks and rewards.

Balancing Honor: Sometimes, you'll have to make tough choices that can affect your honor. It's up to you whether you want to maintain a high honor level or embrace the outlaw lifestyle. The game is designed to be enjoyed both ways, so find the balance that works best for you!

Encounter Tips

Keep Your Eyes Peeled: The game is full of dynamic events and random encounters, so make sure you're always on the lookout for something interesting happening around you. Sometimes, the best adventures come from the most unexpected places!

Help or Ignore: When you stumble upon a random encounter, it's up to you whether you want to help, ignore, or even take advantage of the situation. Just remember, your choices might affect your honor level, so choose wisely.

Be Prepared: You never know what you'll run into out in the Wild West, so make sure you're always stocked up on ammo, health tonics, and other useful items. Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death in a surprise encounter!

Robbery Tips

Scout and Plan: Before attempting a robbery, take some time to observe your target. Look for patterns in NPC behavior, potential escape routes, and any security measures in place. A well-planned robbery is more likely to be successful!

Choose Your Outfit: Don't forget to wear a mask or bandana during your heist to help conceal your identity. You don't want the law to come knocking at your camp because they recognized your face!

Timing is Everything: Some businesses, like banks and stores, are more vulnerable during certain times of the day. Plan your heist accordingly to increase your chances of success.

Know When to Run: Sometimes, a robbery can go south really fast. If you find yourself overwhelmed by law enforcement or angry locals, don't be afraid to make a hasty retreat. Live to rob another day, my friend!



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