Red Dead Redemption 2 isn't a fully-fledged RPG but it does incorporate some RPG elements, with players having to exercise their survival skills. In between searching for treasure, blasting enemies in shootouts, and getting into trouble with the law, players will also have to keep track of Arthur's core stats.

What Are Red Dead Redemption 2's Core Stats?

Red Dead Redemption 2 features three core stats for players to keep an eye on. These are health, stamina and Dead Eye and they each have a core (the main symbol in the center) and a ring (the circle on the outside). The health ring determines how much damage Arthur can take, stamina determines how long he can run, and Dead Eye allows Arthur to slow down time and make precise shots. Rings determine how much of that stat players have access to at that moment, while the core stats represent how quickly those rings will refill.

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Arthur's health is depleted when he takes damage, stamina is depleted when Arthur runs and activating Dead Eye depletes the bar. The amount of health and stamina that Arthur has is also affected by the character's weight as Arthur can be underweight, overweight or at a normal weight depending on how and how often players feed him. Cores are also affected by the clothes that Arthur is wearing, as different temperatures will require different clothing.

How to Level Up Stats in Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 does allow players to refill their core stats (therefore making their rings refill quicker) by consuming certain items. Eating food will restore some health and stamina, for example, and smoking a cigar (or a normal cigarette) will restore Dead Eye. But some of these consumables also have side effects, with smoking consumables restoring Dead Eye but causing the level of stamina to decrease.

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However, players can also level up their stats so that they have more health, stamina, and Dead Eye to work with overall. Thankfully, core stats can be improved by earning XP through natural gameplay.

The health stat can be improved through activities such as winning fist fights, hunting animals, and fishing. The stamina stat can be improved by sprinting and swimming. And Dead Eye can be improved hunting and skinning animals, eating food cooked at camp, shooting enemies (also, shooting them with precision shots), and performing chores at the van der Linde gang camp. Additionally, the game offers certain challenges such as collecting different types of berries and herbs, which grant bonus XP when they're completed.

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