6 of Our Favorite Activities in Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of things to do. Whether you’re in the mood to gear up and hunt for dinosaur bones across the Heartlands or spend a leisurely afternoon fishing for Bluegill at Flat Iron Lake, the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 covers a huge range of American landscapes — from snowbound mountain trails to muddy towns, swamplands, rapidly modernizing cities, as well as the classic Southwest frontier — all filled with a variety of activities and opportunities unique to that destination.

But where to begin? Below are some tips for experiencing Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC.

Collect Cigarette Cards

Whether looting cabins or rummaging through campsites in Red Dead Redemption 2, players will likely happen upon a collectible Cigarette Card.

Players can discover 144 of these cards scattered across the world, sorted into 12 themed sets such as Breeds of Horses or Artists and Poets, each with 12 cards to a set. While loose cards can be acquired, you can also earn a collectible card for every pack of premium cigarettes you pick up or purchase. It should be noted that these cards aren’t just for your viewing or collecting pleasure; there’s someone out there who will compensate you handsomely for complete sets of the cards — and not just with cash. 

Embark on treasure hunts

Treasure Maps in Red Dead Redemption 2 are hand-crafted items that challenge players to interpret their surroundings and make sense of the maps’ illustrations. Treasure Maps can be earned from participating in random encounters or found stashed away in hidden places. Each map leads to a different bounty of rewards, and maps can often lead to other maps. Hunting for treasure is also a great way to get familiar with the outdoors and better learn the lay of the land. 

Look for rare weapons

Red Dead Redemption 2 contains a number of rare weapons with unique designs, from Tomahawks to Shotguns to Revolvers. While you may encounter some by chance on your travels, others are much farther off of the beaten path and require some sleuthing to find. Some of these Weapons even possess unique stats, so it’s well worth exploring to pick them up. 

Go fishing

Fishing in Red Dead Redemption 2 accurately emulates both the thrill and tranquility of fishing in real life. Players will unlock the ability to fish naturally as they progress through the story, allowing them to fish at just about any large body of water they encounter. Just as in real life, using bait and region-specific lures (for rivers, lakes, and swamps, respectively) will increase chances of procuring a good catch, as does casting the line into deeper waters. Catches can be sold like any other meat, though releasing them back into the water nets honor. For an extra challenge, there are 13 Legendary Fish to catch across Red Dead Redemption 2’s vast world. 

Help maintain the camp

Camp chores provide a number of benefits for the gang and the camp: Chores are represented as black dots on the HUD and include chopping wood, refilling wash barrels with water, transporting sacks of provisions, and carrying hay bales. For every chore completed, Arthur will earn honor and help to boost the camp’s overall morale. A gang with high morale is more likely to donate provisions and money to the camp, so it’s in Arthur’s best interest to keep everyone happy.

Hunt for legendary animals

Red Dead Redemption 2’s wilderness is home to a variety of fauna, some of which have obtained a Legendary status. Tracking and hunting these beasts is a challenge that requires cunning, patience, and resourcefulness. Each Legendary Animal exhibits different behavior and resides in a different region of the map, so players will have to adapt their approach based on the environment, on whether the animal is more likely to flee or to fight, and more. Delivering Legendary Animal parts to a certain someone will allow them to craft special garments, so whether hunting for style or for sport, there are plenty of incentives to track these animals down.

Roam free

This guide collects only a handful of activities, but the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of things to do, people to meet, and secrets to discover.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is currently available on PC.