Red Dead Online, the online multiplayer mode for Red Dead Redemption 2, is now available to all eligible players. And while economic progression in Red Dead Online's may be a struggle, there are still ways to progress through more typical means. Read Dead Online features 100 ranks to level through, by which players will earn a variety of rewards including ability slots and more. The only problem being that 100 ranks will take a long while to level through. So while waiting for Rockstar to rebalance the economy or for new and more profitable content to release, knowing how to earn ranks efficiently becomes valuable knowledge.

The most important takeaway when considering how to earn ranks in Red Dead Online is that most activities grant experience. 100 ranks aren't going to go by instantly, so priority number one should be playing content that is enjoyable. Whether it's completing Gang Hideouts or treasure hunts, playing the game and having fun will make the leveling process seem much faster than it will otherwise be.

That said, there are absolutely more efficient ways of earning ranks. The currently recognized most efficient way of earning experience is to play through the Showdown Series playlist, which includes Shootout, Hostile Territory, Make it Count, Most Wanted, and Name Your Weapon match types. The caveat here is that maximizing experience gains in the Showdown Series requires players to be successful. Victory bonuses are what make these multiplayer modes most efficient. Similarly, the Race Series playlist is very efficient if players can win consistently.

As for reliable methods of earning experience that don't require players to be exceptional, then playing through story missions is the best option. Not only are they quick to complete and offer decent overall experience, but they can be further optimized through repeated play-throughs. Players powering through ranks should be able to get story missions down to a science without worrying about the added challenge that competitive multiplayer brings.

There's an added bonus that comes with doing story missions rather than participating in competitive playlists. There's a lot of passive experience to be gained through secondary sources in the wider world. Killing animals of all types garners small experience bonuses, with extra for using the bow and arrow. And there's also the bonus experience for getting headshots, which players will likely accrue without too much effort just by using Dead Eye as it's available. There's a consistency to playing story missions which won't be found in competitive.

Which brings us full circle. Playing any mode in Red Dead Online will grant varying amounts of experience, so as long as players keep playing they'll continue to earn new ranks. Odds are, turning the ranking experience into a grind to 100 will do more to persuade players to quit faster than otherwise. The bonuses that come with new ranks are great, but not at the expense of enjoying the game in general. Best of luck, no matter how you decide to play Red Dead Online.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now on PS4 and Xbox One.