With Christmas right around the corner and the release of the next generation of Playstation and Xbox gaming systems. Red Dead Online will likely see a large influx of new players saddling up to live out their fantasies of a hardened outlaw. Red Dead Online gives players a crazy amount of depth and customization, which is often very overwhelming.
In the beginning stages of joining Red Dead Online, how an outlaw spends their first hard-earned cash and gold bars can make or break a player's success in the wild west. Here are ten items that players should buy first.
Updated July 15, 2021 by Payton Lott: It has been almost three years since the launch of Red Dead Online. While a lot of things have changed in-game, the main beginner essentials are the same as they were a couple of years ago. The original list left out a few key items that people will need as they begin their journey in Red Dead Online. For example, guns aren't very useful without ammunition. This list of items will help new players, as well as story mode mains get off to a quick start in RDO. Ideally, everyone should have all 15 within a few hours of playtime.
15 Horse
One of the most important things people can spend their money on is a horse. RDO has a massive map that seems to get bigger as time goes on. Having a decent horse makes all the traveling from place to place much more bearable.
Yes, fast travel is an option, but there are only so many points on the map. Every stable has affordable horses, and buying one is essential early in the game.
14 Saddle
Of course, each horse will need a saddle. In RDO, saddles do not just enable the player to ride a horse, they provide useful benefits too. These include health, stamina, and stamina drain. Dealing with horse stamina would be frustrating if people were not able to buff it with a saddle.
These can also be purchased from the stables, and there are plenty of cheap options. Later in the game, most people will want to upgrade to a top-tier option.
13 Discounted Coupon Items
In the menu under rewards, players can take a look at all of the active coupons in the game. Using these coupons is a great way to get useful, expensive items for a great rate. There is no need to actually claim them, as purchasing the item at the store will automatically discount a coupon item.
This is technically not a purchase, but anytime there are coupons in the benefits tab, people will want to take advantage of them. Many beginners have no clue that these even exist.
12 Camp Upgrades
The main upgrades people will want to get first are the tent and the fast travel post. Upgraded tents refill cores more and at a faster rate compared to the bed roll or lean-to for example. It is always good to have full health and stamina when setting out.
Likewise, the fast travel post makes going to and from the camp so much more convenient. Traveling is a part of the game, but no one want to ride on horseback to the camp all the time.
11 Food, Ammo, And Bait From The General Store
Buying these essentials may seem obvious, but a lot of newcomers forget that their guns need ammo and their character needs food to survive. The General Store is a one-stop-shop for the above three essentials.
Players can stop by and get everything they need in one place. Because this is a beginner guide, people will only need the above three items to get by in the first few hours of RDO.
10 Bolt Action Rifle
The Bolt Action Rifle is a new outlaw’s bread and butter. The Bolt Action Rifle gives a player immense stopping power, precision, and range in one package. This gun is so effective that many players use it throughout the entirety of their outlaw life.
With this rifle, outlaws can take down big game with ease and hold their own in PvP. The Bolt Action Rifle unlocks at Rank 7 and costs $216.00 or 9 gold bars.
9 Bow and Arrows
Every outlaw that plans to be an elite hunter needs the Bow and Arrow in their arsenal. The Bow and Arrow allows players to take down small game and medium-sized game without damaging the pelts. The Bow and Arrow is also a deadly weapon against other outlaws and NPCs.
As a player progresses, outlaws will acquire the ability to make fire arrows, small game arrows, and explosive arrows. The Bow and Arrow unlocks at Rank 10.
8 Fishing Rod
Fishing in Red Dead Online can be very lucrative and is highly undervalued. To add to the benefits of fishing, outlaws should know that catching fish will boost a player's overall Health Core level.
There are a vast variety of fish spread all over the world of Red Dead Online plenty to keep the enthused fisherman busy. The Fish Rod unlocks at Rank 14 and can be bought at any general store or in a player’s Wheeler & Rawson Catalog.
7 Frontier Pursuits
Frontier Pursuits has been a great addition to Red Dead Online and gives players more layers of depth to enjoy. The Frontier Pursuits more importantly gives outlaws a number of different ways to make large amounts of cash fast and consistently.
Typically Frontier Pursuits cost around 15 gold bars, but the return value is immense. Whether an outlaw wants to be a Bounty Hunter, Moonshiner, Collector, Naturalist, or a Trader, either option will make a beginner a lot of money.
6 Lancaster Repeater
Arguably the most versatile firearm in Red Dead Online is the Lancaster Repeater. This gun gives outlaws the ability to hunt a wide range of animals effectively and take down gang hideouts single-handedly.
The Lancaster Repeater has an ammo capacity of 14 and players have the option of adding a long-range scope to add even more versatility. This weapon unlocks at Rank 12 and costs $243.00 or 10 gold bars and has an overall score of 65.
5 Lemat Revolver
Since its introduction, the Lemat Revolver has become an all-around fan favorite. This revolver has the capability to shoot both revolver ammo and shotgun shells maneuvering between the two functions with the touch of a button.
The Lemat Revolver also has a large ammo capacity of 9 revolver rounds or 1 shotgun shell. It is available for purchase right out the gate at Rank 1 and has a tag price of $317.00 or 13 Gold Bars.
4 Paint It Black Ability Card
Unlike in Red Dead Redemption 2, Dead Eye in Red Dead Online does not slow down time or paint targets without the Paint It Black ability card. This means players accustomed to Dead Eye in the story mode will have to purchase this ability card and adjust to the new mechanics in order to use Dead Eye efficiently.
The Paint It Black ability card unlocks at Rank 1 and will cost an outlaw $50 to purchase level 1.
3 Pump Action Shotgun
A quality shotgun is an outlaw’s best friend in the unpredictable world of Red Dead Online. Luckily for beginners, the Pump Action Shotgun is available for purchase at Rank 5 and is good enough to be a primary shotgun throughout all gameplay.
The Pump Action Shotgun has an ammo capacity of 5 and can use all specialty ammo. Outlaws can buy this weapon for $266.40 or 11 Gold Bars. Which is an amazing price for a great investment.
2 Varmint Rifle
No outlaw is complete without their .22 caliber Varmint Rifle to take down small game with precision and ease. The Varmint Rifle works well against snakes, birds, and the wide array of critters that can be hunted and sold.
This rifle for a time was used in a lot of PvP because of its quick-fire rate and reload speed. The Varmint Rifle unlocks at Rank 8 and only costs the small amount of $72.00 or 3 Gold Bars.
1 Warm clothes
Not to be underestimated is the effect the weather has on an outlaw's health Core. This aspect is very noticeable when traveling through the northern parts of the map beyond Strawberry, Valentine, and Annesburg.
Since this is a factor, players should make sure to keep a warm coat and gloves in their wardrobe and to dress accordingly to the temperature. Good warm clothes can be bought for very cheap and will give players a chance to showcase their individuality.