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7 Easy Ways to Make Money in Red Dead Redemption 2
January 28th, 2024 - By Gavin Machetes

Several ways to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2 ranked from worst to best.

Let's start with some quicker methods to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2 (that aren't necessarily the best ways):

  • Hunting: Involves targeting animals for their pelts, especially perfect-quality ones. These pelts are valuable for crafting various items, but the process is relatively slow for earning money. The focus in hunting is less on direct financial gain and more on utility value, like upgrading gear or your camp. Fishing follows a similar pattern, being more about gaining honor and collecting provisions than a primary money-making method. Both activities are integral to the game's experience but are not the most efficient ways to accumulate wealth compared to other methods in the game.
  • Fishing: While you can earn some funds through fishing, it's not the most efficient method for money-making in the game. Fishing provides more utility value in gameplay rather than being a significant source of income. It's used for gaining honor, especially when releasing smaller fish, and completing specific challenges, like catching all 13 legendary fish for unique rewards.
  • Stealing horses: When you steal a horse, you can sell it to a stable or a specific horse fence for a fraction of its actual value. However, this act usually results in a loss of honor and can attract unwanted attention from the law. Additionally, the financial return from selling stolen horses is relatively low compared to other money-making methods in the game, making it a less appealing option for players seeking to maximize their income.

Bounty Hunting Method

Bounty hunting offers a great way to earn money while upholding justice in the Wild West. This list provides a comprehensive overview of how to successfully track and capture wanted criminals. From gathering information at sheriff offices to carefully planning the capture, each step is crucial for a profitable and honorable bounty hunt. The list emphasizes strategies for capturing targets alive for higher rewards and balancing the risks involved, making bounty hunting a rewarding experience both financially and in gameplay dynamics.

  1. Visit Local Sheriff Offices: Regularly visit sheriff offices or train stations in various towns to find new bounty posters.
  2. Study the Bounty Details: Pay attention to the bounty's background information, which can offer hints about their behavior and whereabouts.
  3. Equip Appropriately: Ensure you have a good supply of ammo, a reliable weapon for combat, and a lasso for capturing targets.
  4. Track the Bounty: Utilize your tracking skills to follow clues and trails that lead to the target's location.
  5. Plan the Capture: Approach the target with a strategy—whether stealth or direct confrontation—depending on their known behavior and the environment.
  6. Opt for Non-lethal Capture: Whenever possible, capture the target alive, as this usually results in a higher reward.
  7. Manage Encounters: Be prepared for potential conflicts with the target or their allies. Use cover and tactical movement during shootouts.
  8. Deliver the Target Safely: Once captured, transport the bounty back to the sheriff's office without losing them or getting ambushed.
  9. Claim Your Reward: Hand over the target to the sheriff to receive your monetary reward.
  10. Consider Honor and Morality: Bounty hunting impacts your honor level. Capturing bounties alive often increases honor, while killing them might decrease it.

Treasure Hunt Method

Robbing trains is an adventurous and high-stakes method of making money. Here are the intricacies of planning and executing a successful train heist. From selecting the right type of train to the execution of the robbery and managing a swift escape, each step is crucial to ensure maximum loot with minimal consequences. The list covers essential strategies, including isolating the train, handling guards, and efficiently looting, all while minimizing the risk of attracting a hefty bounty.

  1. Treasure Map Acquisition: Start by finding treasure maps. These can be acquired from strangers, hidden locations, or as rewards for specific missions.
  2. Clue Interpretation: Each treasure map contains visual clues that hint at the treasure location. Study these clues carefully to determine where to start your search.
  3. Travel and Exploration: The clues lead to specific areas across the game's map. Travel to these locations and be prepared for a journey, as some treasures are located in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
  4. Detailed Search: Once at the correct location, conduct a thorough search. The treasure might be hidden and require interaction with the environment, such as moving objects or climbing.
  5. Finding the Treasure: The treasure, often in the form of gold bars, can be found after solving the map's puzzle. Collect these valuable items.
  6. Selling the Gold Bars: Take your found treasures to a fence, who will buy them for a significant amount of money, offering a substantial boost to your in-game finances.

Robbing Trains Method

Robbing trains is an adventurous and high-stakes method of making money. Here are the intricacies of planning and executing a successful train heist. From selecting the right type of train to the execution of the robbery and managing a swift escape, each step is crucial to ensure maximum loot with minimal consequences. The list covers essential strategies, including isolating the train, handling guards, and efficiently looting, all while minimizing the risk of attracting a hefty bounty.

  1. Select the Right Train: Focus on passenger trains for greater rewards. Cargo trains typically offer less valuable loot.
  2. Find an Isolated Spot: Choose a remote location to stop the train, like a secluded bridge or tunnel. This reduces the chance of law enforcement quickly reaching the scene.
  3. Employ Dynamite for Safes: Use dynamite strategically to blow open safes found in the train, as this is where significant loot can be found.
  4. Be Ready for Guard Confrontation: Anticipate and prepare for resistance from train guards and potentially arriving lawmen.
  5. Strategize Your Escape: Plan a clear escape route and method. Your ability to evade the law after the robbery impacts your net gain.
  6. Timing is Key: Carefully plan the timing of your robbery. Avoid peak times when law enforcement is more active and the train is more crowded.
  7. Minimize Witnesses: Try to execute the robbery with as few witnesses as possible to reduce the risk of a high bounty.
  8. Quick Loot Collection: Be efficient in collecting valuables. Prolonging your time on the train increases the risk of law enforcement catching you.

Selling Stolen Carriages Method

Selling stolen carriages involves identifying valuable targets near Emerald Ranch, executing thefts with minimal witnesses, and avoiding law enforcement while transporting the carriage. The stolen carriages are sold at Emerald Ranch, where they fetch a good price. This process can be repeated for consistent income. The key is to operate discreetly to avoid accumulating bounties, ensuring a profitable venture in the game. Here are the steps needed for this money making method.

  1. Identify High-Value Targets: Focus on carriages near Emerald Ranch, as they often fetch a higher price. Look for more luxurious models, as these tend to be more valuable.
  2. Stealthy Theft: Approach your target carriage discreetly to avoid drawing attention. Ensure there are minimal witnesses around. If necessary, wait for the right moment when the carriage is isolated.
  3. Securing the Carriage: Once you’ve chosen a target, quickly and quietly take control of the carriage. If there are passengers, deal with them non-lethally to avoid a bounty.
  4. Avoid Detection: While transporting the stolen carriage, stick to less-traveled paths to avoid law enforcement. Keep an eye out for patrolling officers and be ready to change your route.
  5. Selling at Emerald Ranch: Head to Emerald Ranch, the prime location for selling stolen carriages. The fence there will offer a good price. The journey should be quick to minimize risks of getting caught.
  6. Repeat for Profit: This method can be repeated multiple times for a steady source of income. Each successful sale increases your skill and efficiency in stealing and selling carriages.
  7. Managing Risk: Always be aware of your surroundings and the potential risk of getting a bounty. The key is to operate smoothly without causing too much disturbance.
  8. Loot Storage: Try searching the back of carriages before fencing them. Many will have valuables stored and can result in extra money.
  9. Avoiding Witnesses: When stealing wagons in "Red Dead Redemption 2", a useful tip to avoid trouble is quickly crossing the county border south from the fencing barn. This simple action can make any "WITNESS" or "WANTED" tag disappear almost instantly. It's important to remember that the fence won't accept a stolen wagon if you're wanted or being searched for, so this quick maneuver is key to successfully turning in your stolen goods without attracting ongoing legal attention.

If you want to read more about Red Dead Redemption 2, check out this guide on Red Dead Redemption 2 Tips.