When New Austin was added to Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar included new missions, side missions, and even a new treasure quest. The Elemental Trail map is one of several treasure map quest lines in the game. Players will be able to explore the areas in New Austin with a purpose, and be awarded a few items in the process.
However, gamers will have to finish the epilogue before they can locate the maps and complete all of the objectives. Finding all of the locations without knowing where to look can be frustrating. This guide will walk players through each step in the trail and describe exactly where each map is located.
Finding The First Clue
The first map is all the way on the west side of New Austin near the Sea of Coronado. On the map, gamers will need to be directly east of the second O in Coronado. There, they should spot a road just along the cliffside. At the edge of the cliff there will be a plank of wood with a body dangling from it.
To get the body down, players must shoot the rope hanging from the plank. The body will fall, and it can be inspected. The deceased man will have the first clue or map for the Elemental Trail. Unlike most of the treasure hunts in Red Dead 2, the Elemental Trail clues include drawings that make little to no reference to an actual map. People that enjoy exploring and figuring the puzzle out on their own should stop reading here.
The Second Clue
The initial drawing shows a fireplace or furnace on the edge of water with cliffs in the distance. Obviously, the next map will have to be near water with some kind of rock formations in the background. It would be difficult to pinpoint the exact location with just one image, as the drawing omits a lot of necessary details.
The next map can be found on the shores of the San Luis River. South of Armadillo and east of Lake Don Julio lies a small island just above the A in San Luis. The abandoned building directly north of the western edge of the island will contain the next map. Inside of the building, which is named Green Hollow, players will want to inspect the fireplace to reveal the second clue. Fireplaces are notorious hiding places in Red Dead 2.
The Third Clue
Next, players are given a drawing of what looks like a trough with a water tower in the background. There is only one location in New Austin that has a trough that looks similar, and that is Benedict Point. The small town is west of Fort Mercer and south of the W in New Austin. Players can follow either road that leads south from Tumbleweed and find the small settlement. To find the next clue, people will want to climb up the hill and walk down the trough or gutter. At the center of the trough, just like in the picture, is the final clue. It is actually quite tricky to stay on the small wooden gutter, and players may not survive the fall.
The Final Clue
Gamers will receive two clues when they look at the next map. The first is a church spire, and the second is a cross. The next location is none other than Coot's Chapel south of Armadillo. The easiest way to get there is to follow the road that leads southeast from Armadillo. In the graveyard of the church, there will be an NPC burying bodies. The people were killed as a result of the Cholera outbreak in Armadillo. On the left side of the graveyard there will be a grave with a cross under a small tree. If players inspect the large stone at the center of the grave, the Elemental Trail Treasure will be revealed.
The Elemental Trail Treasure
For all of their hard work, gamers will receive a few items. These include a Special Horse Stimulant, Special Horse Medicine, Gold Bar, and the Crow Beak Trinket. By equipping the Crow Beak Trinket, users will receive 10% more ammo every time they find ammunition. The trinket is the only item in the game that permanently increases looted ammo. It is a great item to have when attempting the Weapons Expert and Bandit challenges. The Gold Bar can be sold to a fence for $500, and the Horse Stimulant and Medicine will come in handy during the Horseman Challenges. The entire treasure hunt can be completed in about 20 minutes with a fast horse. For the effort, the reward is definitely worthwhile.