Legendary animals are a fun new addition to the Red Dead franchise. More emphasis has been placed on hunting in this sequel. Hunting can provide items for outfits, camp aesthetics , and stat bonuses. There are 16 different legendary animals scattered across the expansive map of Red Dead Redemption 2. Some of these creatures are locked behind challenges, story missions, and in some cases completion of the main story.
The legendary Bullgator is no exception. This monster of a gator first appears in the story mission "Country Pursuits" in Chapter 4. However, the legendary Bullgator isn't available to hunt until after the mission "That's Murfree Country" in Chapter 5, but there are some things players need to know when facing this massive gator.
10 Story Missions
The legendary Bullgator is one of the few legendary animals that requires progression in the story to hunt. While other legendary animals can only be hunted in the epilogue, the Bullgator is available in Chapter 5. During Chapter 4, Dutch will ask Arthur to accompany him to the swamp to meet a friend of his. This mission, "Country Pursuits", follows Arthur trying to find a fisherman while being hunted by the Bullgator in a Jaws fashion. It isn't until Arthur returns from Guarma and sets up camp in the mission "That's Murfree Country" that he can hunt the gator.
9 Bayou Nwa
Like all gators, the legendary Bullgator lives in Bayou Nwa. The Bullgator is located South of Lagras and West of Lakay. The areas is extremely warm and has many dangers. At night players may be attacked by the Night Folk group that use stealth and poison. Animals also pose a large danger to Arthur. Venomous snakes hide in the mud with a bite that requires tonics to cure. With all the mud and water in Bayou Nwa, Arthur's guns will quickly degrade and require care.
8 Cool Clothing
Keeping Arthur's temperature average keeps his cores from draining quickly. Players have a wide variety of clothing options in Red Dead Redemption 2. They start the game with pre-made outfits, but can create their own.
Clothing items can come with a tag that tells whether or not it will be warm or cool. Wearing cool clothing in the hot temperature is essential to keeping Arthur healthy while hunting this massive gator.
7 Alligators
It isn't difficult to find alligators in Bayou Nwa. When hunting the legendary Bullgator, players should look out for an increased amount of gators. The Bullgator spawns near the water where several gators are laying in the mud. While searching for tracks, players may have to pass by resting apex predators. A rifle or shotgun can come in handy to quickly dispatch these smaller gators before continuing on to the legendary animal. A rifle is key for players looking to get a gator in perfect condition, but may want to keep their horse cargo open for the Bullgator's pelt.
6 Fortify Cores
Cores are important for many reasons in the game. Cores allow players to increase their health, stamina, and dead eye. Just by playing the game, players can increase their core stats. There are also three consumables that can be used to increase them, one for each core. Fortifying cores is a general tip when approaching any dangerous situation in Red Dead Redemption 2. To fortify them players should take a consumable to fortify an individual core or take a potent miracle tonic to restore and fortify all cores.
5 Powerful Guns
The legendary Bullgator, like all gators, is surprisingly fast. Its massive size is an indicator for its power, but doesn't warn players of its speed. A rifle would be ideal for normal gators, but the legendary animals can take a lot of damage before dying.
Unlike most animals, legendaries keep their pelt no matter the punishment they take. A rifle loaded with explosive rounds will make quick work of the Bullgator. If explosive rounds seem like too much, a quick shotgun or several long distance shots are still viable.
4 Horse Panic
There are many things that scare horses in Red Dead Redemption 2. Snakes in the grass, a large predator, and riding recklessly can cause Arthur's horse to buck. While it is possible to hunt a legendary animal while riding a horse, hunting the Bullgator while mounted is not a good idea. There are numerous alligators in the area and possible snakes nearby. The last thing players would want would be to see the Bullgator only to be bucked immediately and killed. Players should approach the gator on foot and keep their horse away.
3 Daytime Hunting
The legendary animals in Story don't have a specific spawn time like they do in Online. Whenever Arthur approaches a legendary animal's territory, either in the day or night, he can begin the hunt. Some legendaries are easier to see during the day while others are bright enough to see at night. The Bullgator has a bright tan skin that makes it easy to see at night, but the normal gators don't. To keep from accidentally stepping on or near a deadly predator players should approach the spawn area during the day.
2 Limit Food and Tonics
Not consuming any food or tonics before fighting the Bullgator is a story related strategy. Without getting too into it, players should hunt the legendary gator as their first activity of the day. Something happens to Arthur in Chapter 5 that limits the effectiveness of consumables.
This limits Arthur and his abilities only in Chapter 5, the only chapter other than the epilogue where the Bullgator is available. A potent miracle tonic should be the only consumable used right before attempting this legendary animal.
1 Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye is an important part of hunting in Red Dead Redemption 2. Players will need it to see the tracks and clues of the Bullgator. It also highlights nearby animals and scent trails. If there are any other alligators in the area, using eagle eye will identify where they are immediately. Once Arthur has investigated three clues the legendary animal will spawn in. For predators like the Bullgator, using eagle eye first will help deal with any initial danger the animal poses as Arthur will see it easily.