Red Dead Redemption 2 throws you into the sprawling, gorgeous, and dangerous American frontier with barely a moment’s rest. Whether you’re staring down a wild animal, robbing a train, or simply soaking in the scenery, there’s always something to do. But with so much to take in, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. While the game does a decent job explaining its many systems, that information is scattered across hours of gameplay—and some of it can slip right by if you’re not paying attention. That’s where this guide comes in: spoiler-free, straight to the point, and designed to help you hit the ground running.

Get to Know Arthur: Managing Health, Stamina, and Deadeye

One of the earliest keys to success in Red Dead Redemption 2 is understanding Arthur Morgan himself. Access the player menu from the pause screen and head to Arthur’s profile. There, you’ll find detailed information about his health, stamina, and Deadeye cores. These cores determine not just how much of each attribute you have, but how quickly they regenerate. Keeping them in peak condition means eating well, sleeping regularly, and treating Arthur like a living, breathing person.

Pay attention to temperature and weight as well—these affect your stats more than you might expect. Dressing too warmly in the heat or too lightly in the cold drains Arthur’s health faster, so always dress for the occasion. The core system adds a layer of realism to your outlaw lifestyle, and understanding it early makes a world of difference.

Hunting Done Right: More Than Just Pulling the Trigger

Hunting is essential—not just for resources, but for immersion. It gives you a deeper connection to the world around you and the wildlife that inhabits it. Don’t just shoot every animal you see; approach them carefully. Use the “study” option to fill out your compendium, which will then tell you the best way to hunt them cleanly, what they’re good for, and which weapons to use.

One of the biggest early tips is learning to mask your scent. Using Eagle Eye (by clicking both analog sticks) shows your scent trail. Animals are sensitive to this, and they’ll bolt the moment they smell you coming. Craft scent-masking items, buy them from vendors, or just take a bath once in a while. Also, try attracting animals’ attention by locking on and pressing the appropriate button—this makes them lift their heads, giving you a perfect shot.

Use a bow when you can. It’s quiet, it’s efficient, and it gives you clean kills that improve pelt quality. Once you have those pelts, donate them to Pearson at the camp or deliver them to a trapper. They’ll hold onto them for crafting later on, making your hunting effort even more rewarding.

The Fence: Your New Best Criminal Friend

After a certain point in the game, you’ll meet a fence. Not the wooden kind—though those are everywhere—but the criminal kind. Fences buy stolen goods from you, including wagons and horses, but also smaller items lifted during robberies. If you’ve got a bounty on your head, though, you’ll need to pay that off at the post office before the fence will deal with you. It’s a criminal underworld, sure, but it’s still got rules.

Guns Aren’t Just for Killing

Shooting in Red Dead Redemption 2 is intuitive, but your weapon has uses beyond dealing death. Intimidation can be just as effective. Aim your gun and press up on the directional pad to fire into the air. This makes most NPCs think twice before resisting you. Cowards will freeze, but some tougher types might stand their ground regardless. It won’t always work, but when it does, it gives you an edge without bloodshed.

In combat, remember to use the dive move—press the appropriate button while aiming to perform a quick evasive roll. Combine this with the game’s cover system and you’ve got a decent tactical advantage when the bullets start flying.

Exploring with Intention

Want to immerse yourself even deeper? Try turning off the mini-map. When you do, your companions will give more detailed directions during missions, making for a more organic experience. And if you ever get lost, you can briefly tap the map back on to reorient yourself.

While exploring, keep an eye out for smoke in the distance—this often signals a campfire and could lead to a random event, a side mission, or an ambush. Listen to your surroundings too. Voices calling for help or mysterious sounds can lead to some of the game’s most memorable encounters.

When you want to get around quickly, don’t forget about fast travel. Trains and stagecoaches in towns offer transport, but you can also upgrade Dutch’s camp to unlock Arthur’s own fast travel map. It’s worth the investment.

Get Rich or Die Tryin’: The Loot Game

Cash rules everything around you in Red Dead Redemption 2, and staying stocked requires effort. Always loot camps and bodies after fights. When you’re in a loot-heavy area, hold down the loot button instead of tapping it—Arthur will sweep up nearby items like a pro pickpocket.

Enemies you’ve killed show up on the map with little X marks, so after the dust settles, go corpse-collecting. Whether it’s ammo, money, or trinkets, you’ll always need what they’re carrying.

Horse Whispering: Building a Bond with Your Steed

Your horse is your most valuable companion, so treat it well. Talk to it while trotting, feed it, brush it, and it’ll love you back. Doing so increases your bond, improving its health, stamina, and responsiveness. As your bond grows, your horse can cross deeper rivers, brave rougher terrain, and even come when you call in combat.

There are riding tricks too. Tap the gallop button in rhythm with the horse’s stride to preserve stamina. Use the cinematic camera for long rides by setting a waypoint and switching views—just hold the run button and enjoy the scenery.

Don’t Miss Out: Time-Sensitive Missions

Some camp missions appear as white icons and are easy to overlook. These optional moments often include interactions with Van der Linde gang members and reveal more about their personalities and your shared life. They disappear with time or story progression, so prioritize these over the yellow core missions, which will wait for you.

---

By taking advantage of these early game tips, you’ll be well-equipped to live your best outlaw life in Red Dead Redemption 2. The game is about choices, pace, and immersion—so the more you know, the more meaningful your journey becomes. Saddle up, partner. The frontier awaits.