Red Dead Redemption 2 may seem like a simple Western-style shooter on the surface, but anyone who has played it will know there are a lot of mechanics at play that make it a rich and engaging experience. The more a player knows about these mechanics, the better an outlaw they can be.

Things, like properly maintaining equipment, hunting with bows, wearing disguises while committing crimes, and even petting dogs, can benefit someone tremendously during their next playthrough. There are many tips to consider if someone wants to become a pro in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Updated on April 24, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the greatest open-world games ever made. The sheer amount of love and care put into making this world come to life is simply astounding, and players can't help but wonder how Rockstar will top the quality of this game with Grand Theft Auto 6. If that game features even half the work put into this game, then it's not a stretch to say that most fans will already love what that game will offer. Any fan of amazing open-world games should make it a point to check out Red Dead Redemption 2 as soon as possible, and there are many tips that players can keep in mind to become seasoned pros at this game in no time.

23 Use Mods To Make The Experience More Unique And Immersive On PC

Make The Most Of The Game's Customizable Nature

There's a reason why people love mods for their favorite video games, and it's only a given that the modding community for one of the most popular video games ever made would have many dedicated fans either fixing tiny things or adding brand new experiences for players to enjoy. As long as players don't mind getting a bit technical, they can have a great time modding Red Dead Redemption 2 to their heart's content.

From small mods that improve the way Arthur controls to massive tweaks that change the way players approach a game, it's easy to see why Red Dead Redemption 2 has become a hotbed of modding like nothing before it. Players who love Red Dead Redemption 2 but can't ignore some of its minute yet annoying faults can use mods to remove most of these frustrations and make the game as engaging as possible in just a few minutes.

22 Find Gold Bars To Earn A Lot Of Money In No Time

An Easy Way To Fill Up Arthur's Pockets

There's no denying that money becomes a non-consequence after players spend enough time in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. However, this resource is pretty limited early on and forces players to deal with subpar equipment or transformation for quite some time before getting to the good stuff.

So, if players really want Arthur to be loaded in no time, then an easy way to achieve the same is to find a guide detailing the many golden bars that players can find in the game. Suffice it to say, most people will stock up on a lot of dollars in no time if they sell these gold bars for $500 apiece after spending an hour or two finding a bunch of them.

21 A Clean Horse Will Have The Highest Stamina

Traversal Becomes Easier With A Horse That Takes Longer To Get Tired

Traversal is a huge part of what makes Red Dead Redemption 2 such a great game, with the simple act of going from point A to point B feeling amazing because of cinematic cameras and beautiful locales. However, during their travels, players may end up frustrated if the horse they're riding isn't fast enough and tires out quickly.

While getting a better horse is the obvious decision, players should also make it a point to clean their horse and bond with it to improve its stamina. A horse that isn't groomed is going to have less-than-optimal stamina, so taking a few seconds to clean Arthur's mount is always recommended.

20 First-Person Mode Freshens Up The Gameplay Quite A Bit

Given How Long The Game Is, A Change Of Perspective Can Be Invaluable

When Grand Theft Auto 5 was released on next-gen consoles, fans were amazed to see just how robust Rockstar's engine was. The fact that the entire game could be played in first-person was truly mind-blowing and Red Dead Redemption 2 lets players enjoy this too.

The over-the-shoulder camera will never grow old, but players who've sunk in a lot of hours and don't mind switching things up a bit will find first-person mode to be a fresh change of pace. Even now, it's hard to believe that the entire game can be experienced from a completely different viewpoint that feels seamless in its way.

19 Don't Go Too Fast With A Horse In Busy Streets

Running Into Pedestrians Accidentally Will Increase The Player's Bounty

There are many populated settlements in Red Dead Redemption 2 that players can explore, with Saint Denis being a pretty obvious example. While the game doesn't restrict players from using a horse in these areas, this doesn't mean that players should recklessly gallop in these areas.

Running into a pedestrian with Arthur's horse can lead to them getting hurt, which unnecessarily adds to Arthur's bounty. Players will have enough money to turn this into a non-issue, but the trek to remove this bounty in the first place is grating and is better off avoided, especially for such a silly offense.

18 There's No Need To Stress Out About Money

Over Time, Players Will Amass A Small Fortune

Some players may feel that the process of earning money in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a bit too cumbersome early on. The economy seems particularly stingy, even with the valuation of currency at the time.

However, there is no need to stress out about money for too long. There are a ton of ways to earn the big bucks in the campaign, and players who reach the mid-game will be drowning in cash after a point.

17 Engage With A Ton Of Side Content

They Boast A High Level Of Production Quality

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive game. It's so big that players may not even feel like exploring every corner of this vast open world.

While the more obscure parts of this world can still be overlooked if someone is feeling overwhelmed, it is still recommended to engage with every Strangers & Freaks side mission present in the campaign. These side stories have a ton of work and attention put into them, introducing new characters while exploring the personalities of established ones as well.

16 Bond With Arthur's Horse As Much As Possible

A Horse With A High Bond Is Easier And More Satisfying To Ride

The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is huge, and trying to explore the whole map on foot is a huge mistake that will suck out all the joy from this game in no time flat. So, it's important to tame a trusty steed that players can explore the lands on.

That being said, simply galloping across the countryside with a horse isn't enough to gain the mount's trust. Arthur needs to groom and feed the horse at regular intervals while not pushing it too hard for too long. Doing so ensures that players will be able to bond with their horses quickly and maximize the fun of horseback riding in no time at all.

15 Hunting Becomes Easier With Dead Eye

Slowing Down Time Lets Players Take Out Animals Cleanly

Hunting is one of the most crucial tasks that players will carry out time and time again in RDR2. It's a great way to gain money, not to mention the benefits players can enjoy by hunting down the many legendary animals in the game as well.

Players who may find aiming while hunting to be slightly tough given how tense these situations are can automate it via Dead Eye. It's a simple tip, but the sheer number of successful hunts enabled with Dead Eye speaks for itself.

14 Use Dead Eye Efficiently During Combat

Wasting Too Much Time In This Mode Is A Death Sentence

Speaking of Dead Eye, players should always try and maximize this move during combat. Initially, Dead Eye may seem weak, but its full potential is unlocked after going through a substantial portion of the main story.

Players should keep a lot of tobacco on hand since it allows them to restore their Dead Eye whenever players run out of it. Not only do firefights become more cinematic, but players can maximize the time they spend out of cover too.

13 Get The Best Horse In The Game Quickly

The White Arabian Is A Beautiful And Sturdy Horse That's Devilishly Fast

The Arabian horse is the best mount in Red Dead Redemption 2. While buying it from a stable can be a rather taxing endeavor, players can get a beautiful white-coated Arabian near Lake Isabella in the northwestern corner of the map.

The horse is extremely fast, with its other stats being quite great as well. Roaming around the countryside with this beautiful steed will certainly make the game far more enjoyable.

12 Go On Autopilot While On A Horse

Appreciating The Scenery Becomes Way Easier

When players put on a marker in Red Dead Redemption 2, there's a trick that allows them to reach this location without any input. Players can simply start riding the horse on the path and turn on cinematic mode, allowing them to leave the controller as the horse travels at its own pace.

Of course, players need to be wary of any sounds occurring near them, since it could be a potential event. Being wary of these occurrences will help them enjoy the best of both worlds in this amazing game.

11 Check The Journal Often

The Detail In Arthur's Journal Is Astonishing

Arthur's journal is one of the most interesting documents in Red Dead Redemption 2. It's a great way to stay up-to-date with the story and read up on some obscure facets if required.

The journal is also full to the brim with amazing illustrations and documentation of Arthur's side activities. It's a great record of everything the player has accomplished up till that point.

10 Unlock The Free Fast Travel Option

Over Time, Players Will Amass A Small Fortune

Red Dead Redemption 2's world is massive. The map is so big that traveling from one area to another can take ages.

Thankfully, Red Dead Redemption 2 has its fair share of fast travel options, along with a free one that can be unlocked within the camp itself. Players need to reach Chapter 2 and accumulate $545 before the Fast Travel map becomes accessible.

9 Hold The Exit Button In Menus To Jump Back Directly In The Game

Saves A Lot Of Time Cycling Through The In-Game Menu

Red Dead Redemption 2 has its fair share of extensive menus that can be quite cumbersome to navigate. Exiting back into the game world can take quite some time, as a result.

However, within sub-menus, players can still jump directly back to the main game. They simply need to hold the back button instead of pressing it multiple times, allowing them to go right back into the fray at a moment's notice.

8 Pay Arthur's Bounty

Helps Players Avoid The Headache Of Avoiding Law Enforcement

As Arthur starts committing crimes and getting noticed by the lawmen, he will start accruing a bounty. A small bounty can be tedious at times and a high bounty will make Arthur the target of anyone with a gun desperate for some cash.

Even though money might be tight in the beginning, it’s often in the player's best interest to routinely pay off their bounty by heading to the local post office. In the long run, this will be much more beneficial and cost-effective as players won't burn through nearly as much ammo defending themselves from bounty hunters and law enforcement.

7 Wear A Disguise During Crimes

Prevents Players From Being Discovered And Reported To Law Enforcement

One thing Arthur can do to avoid accruing as much of a bounty in the first place is to wear a disguise. Wearing a simple bandana or a mask during a crime will make it harder for people to recognize Arthur and minimize how much bounty he accrues.

Eventually, players will want to have an outfit that they only wear during crimes to completely avoid detection and drawing suspicion to themselves. The outfit might be expensive at first, but it will allow an outlaw to save a ton of money that would have been wasted paying off bounties.

6 Have Three Outfits

Players Need To Account For Extreme Temperatures

Speaking of outfits, players generally want to have three outfits on their horses at all times. They want an outfit suitable for cold weather, one suitable for warmer climates, and one for when they’re committing crimes.

Players lose a ton of stamina if their character is too cold or too hot. If someone wants to explore the best areas in the game or commit a lot of crimes, then they want these outfits sooner rather than later.

5 Pet The Dogs

Forming A Bond With These Lovable Hounds Is Fun And Makes Stealth Slightly Less Challenging

The last tip when it comes to crime is to pet every dog. Dogs in this world tend to bark at the player's character, which can be problematic when using stealth to commit a crime.

Petting the dog establishes a camaraderie so they won't be alarmed when Arthur is around them in the future. It’s also great to keep them from yapping over and over, which gets old quickly.

4 Keep Guns Clean

There's Nothing Worse Than A Gun Jamming In The Middle Of A Tense Firefight

Outlaws need to keep their guns clean. A gun that’s covered in grime or too wet will start misfiring and having other issues until it’s no longer usable; therefore, players need to make a habit of cleaning them with oil.

If someone has the funds, they can save themselves some of that headache by getting reinforced holsters. These babies protect guns from the elements and save their users a lot of time and money keeping them clean.