Understanding the bounty and wanted systems in Red Dead Redemption 2 is key to playing smart, especially if you’re leaning into the outlaw lifestyle. The game doesn’t just track your crimes—it also remembers your face, your clothes, and your horse. In this guide, we break down how bounties work, how to avoid getting one, and how to rob stores without paying the price.

Setting Up the Perfect Robbery

Before committing any crime, preparation is everything. Start by positioning your horse in the direction you plan to flee—this saves precious seconds during your escape. Only put on your mask once you’re inside the store to avoid alarming bystanders before the crime even begins. Enter calm, mask up, head to the register, and rob quickly.

Some clerks will draw weapons and fight back, which may attract outside attention. If witnesses see the crime but don’t recognize you, the law will be called, but no bounty will be issued—unless a cop sees your face.

Escaping the Scene

Once you’ve committed the robbery, leave the area immediately and ride far enough away that the law can’t make a visual ID. If you’re not seen by any officers, you won’t receive a bounty. Wait until your wanted level disappears, and you’re clear to return—yes, even to rob the same place again.

Changing outfits after a crime helps reduce recognition. While citizens are easier to fool with a new look, lawmen are sharper and can often identify you even when masked. The trick is to give yourself enough time to leave before they get close enough.

Advanced Evasion Techniques

To fool the system even further, switch up your entire look—change horses, clothing, and your hair or beard. Returning with a different appearance will often let you greet the very same cops who were chasing you minutes ago. For the best results, use different disguises for different towns.

During robberies in more populated areas, open windows and heavy foot traffic increase the chances of being seen. If you’re in a high-visibility situation, act fast. Subdue any witnesses if possible, especially if they see your face.

Understanding Witness Tiers and Icons

There are three witness states, each with a different icon:

• White witness: Knows a crime occurred but didn’t see your face.
• Light red witness: Saw the crime but doesn’t fully recognize you.
• Bright red witness: Recognizes you and can report your identity.

If a bright red witness gets away, you’ll instantly receive a bounty. If there are multiple witnesses, don’t waste time—leave the area, wait for your wanted status to expire, then regroup. These icons can sometimes glitch, but the logic behind the system still functions.

How Recognition Works

If you commit a crime without a mask, you’re immediately recognizable. But even with a mask on, repeating crimes in the same outfit can lead to identification. Each town stores a memory of your previous crimes and what you looked like when you committed them.

For example, if you rob Saint Denis in a green duster coat and brown hat, even if you pay off your bounty, wearing the same outfit later—masked or not—can get you instantly flagged.

Field Test: Same Look, Different Results

To demonstrate, the video walkthrough shows Arthur committing a crime in Saint Denis, paying off the bounty, and then returning with the same clothes and hairstyle. Despite wearing a mask, the townsfolk recognize him, and he immediately receives a new bounty.

Then, by switching to a completely different outfit, he returns, commits another crime, and walks away clean—even after being seen. It proves that rotating your wardrobe and horse is crucial if you’re trying to fly under the radar.

Crime Like a Pro: Final Advice

The bounty system may seem complex, but once you understand how visual identification and recognition work, you can manipulate it to your advantage. Create multiple outfit presets—one for robberies, one for laying low. Swap horses regularly. Switch up your facial appearance at the barber.

Ultimately, the key to criminal success in Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just firepower—it’s stealth, style, and smart planning. Rob with intention, retreat with confidence, and never underestimate the power of a fresh look.

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If you enjoyed this guide and want more outlaw tips or custom outfit ideas, check out the creator’s other content like “Dapper Tags’ Guide to Looking Like a Baller.” Until then—ride fast, stay masked, and commit your crimes like a ghost in the wind.