Red Dead Redemption 2 Achievement Guide

Welcome to the ultimate Red Dead Redemption 2 Achievement Guide! This comprehensive guide is your key to mastering one of the most acclaimed open-world games of all time. Whether you're a seasoned outlaw or just starting out, we've got everything you need to conquer every challenge and unlock every achievement. Dive into our detailed General Achievement Walkthrough to get a broad overview, or focus on specific feats like becoming the Best in the West, mastering wildlife with Zoologist, appreciating the finer details in It's Art, and perfecting your hunting skills with Skin Deep. Saddle up and get ready to ride towards 100% completion!

General Achievement Walkthrough

When you're diving into the sprawling world of Red Dead Redemption 2, there are a bunch of achievements and trophies you can unlock along the way. This walkthrough will guide you through some of the general achievements that you should keep an eye out for as you roam the wild west.

Getting Started

First things first, make sure you don’t skip the tutorial. You'll naturally unlock "Just A Scratch" by completing the prologue. This is a story-related achievement and cannot be missed. Easy, right?

Save Often

Before we dig deep, remember this golden rule: save often. By maintaining multiple save slots, you can go back if you miss specific achievements without having to replay large parts of the game. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later.

Achievements to Look Out For

1. "Lending a Hand"

   • For this achievement, you need to complete all Honor side missions. These are usually tied to gang members you meet at your camp. Make sure to interact with them regularly. Helping out your fellow gang members is not just heartwarming but also good for this achievement!

2. "Gold Rush"

   • Unlock this trophy by earning 70 gold medals in Story missions. This might sound daunting, but focus on one mission at a time. Check the mission objectives and replay them from the pause menu if needed. Best time to aim for this is during your second playthrough.

3. "Grin and Bear It"

   • Survive an 18-meter fall (or more) while on your horse. Find a tall ledge or cliff, ride off it with your horse, and make sure you both survive. You might need to heal your horse afterward--poor guy!

4. "Give to the Poor"

   • Donate $250 to the gang’s camp. Visiting the donations box often and giving spare cash can quickly accumulate. Plus, it helps with gang morale, and who doesn’t want to be the camp’s hero?

5. "Achiever"

   • Get 100% completion in the game. Now, this one is a true test of dedication. It involves finishing all story missions, side missions, collecting items, and doing all challenges. Use the in-game progress menu to keep track of what you still need to complete.

6. "Broken Van Brom"

   • Complete all horseman challenges. These challenges can be a bit tricky, but they mainly involve mastering horseback riding, from jumping barriers to taming wild horses. Patience and practice are your best friends here.

7. "Hobby Horse"

   • Play every single mini-game. Red Dead Redemption 2 has several mini-games like Poker, Blackjack, Dominoes, and Five Finger Fillet. You'll find these scattered all over the map, often in saloons.

8. "It was THIS Big!"

   • Catch a fish weighing at least 16 lbs. Get your fishing rod ready and head to one of the more peaceful water bodies. Legendary fish are your best bet for snagging a big one.

Tips and Tricks

• Stay Honorable or Dishonorable: Some achievements are tied to if Arthur is honorable or not. Help random strangers, or rob them; your choice impacts which achievements you’ll unlock.

• Explore Everywhere: It’s easy to rush through the main story and miss out on smaller locations. Take your time and explore--many achievements come from discovering unique spots or completing side quests.

• Check Your Journal: Arthur’s journal is a handy tool that keeps track of your progress and can remind you of unfinished business. Plus, it’s filled with cool doodles and insights!

• Observer: Use your Eagle Eye often. Not only does it help in hunting and tracking, but it can also reveal hidden items that contribute to various achievements.

Conclusion

Running through Red Dead Redemption 2 with an eye on these achievements can make your adventure even more rewarding. Remember, it’s about enjoying the journey as much as checking off achievements. Happy trails!

Best in the West

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the "Best in the West" achievement/trophy is one of the hardest and most time-consuming to earn. It requires players to get a 100% completion in the game, which means you have to do almost everything the game has to offer. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you break it down!

What Counts Towards 100% Completion?

Here’s everything you need to do to achieve 100% completion in RDR2:

1. Main Story Missions & Honor Missions

• Complete all story missions and honor missions. This includes all chapters and epilogue missions.

2. Stranger Missions

• Complete all 10 stranger mission strands. These side quests are scattered throughout the game and give you some interesting stories and rewards.

3. Collectibles

• Cigarette Cards: Collect all 144 cards. They come in sets of 12.
• Rock Carvings: Find all 10 carvings spread throughout the map.
• Dinosaur Bones: Discover all 30 dinosaur fossils.
• Exotic Items: Finish all 5 requests for Algernon Wasp.
• Horses: Find and break all horses.
• Fish: Catch all 13 legendary fish.
• Dreamcatchers: Locate 20 dreamcatchers.
• Rare Weapons: Obtain all 5 rare weapons.
• Legendary Animals: Hunt and skin 16 legendary animals.

4. Companion Activities

• Complete the following activities with your camp companions:
  • Five specific activities like hunting and fishing trips.

5. Robberies

• Take part in these 4 types of robberies:
  • Home Robberies
  • Shop Robberies
  • Coach Robberies
  • Train Robberies

6. Challenges

• Finish all 9 challenge categories:
  • Bandit, Explorer, Gambler, Herbalist, Horseman, Master Hunter, Sharpshooter, Survivalist, and Weapons Expert. Each category has 10 challenges.

7. Miscellaneous Tasks

• Discover 30 different animals, kill birds while on a moving train, have campfire talks, score a gold medal in all the story missions, complete the Gunslinger missions, and more.

Tips for Getting There

Pace Yourself: This achievement isn't going to happen overnight. Take it slow, and try to enjoy the journey. The game is massive, so break it up into manageable chunks.

Use Your Map: The game has a lot of collectibles and missions scattered throughout the map. Mark down areas you’ve completed and areas where you're still searching.

Chapter 2 is Your Friend: A lot of activities and challenges can be started in Chapter 2. Make sure you get a head start on these before the story gets too intense.

Companion Activities: Do these as early as possible. They won’t be available after certain points in the story.

Legendary Animals: Approach these with the right weapons and gear. Pay attention to the clues and don’t rush into the hunts.

Remember Your Journal: Use Arthur’s journal to track your progress with different tasks and collectibles.

Wrapping Up

Earning the "Best in the West" achievement is no small feat, but the sense of accomplishment you’ll get from seeing that 100% completion stat makes it all worth it. Plus, you’ll get to experience every little thing this beautifully crafted game has to offer. So saddle up, partner, and get to work!

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Zoologist Achievement Guide

So, you’re looking to nab the cool 'Zoologist' achievement in Red Dead Redemption 2? Buckle up, partner, because we're going to take a deep dive into the wild world of animal study. This achievement might take a bit of effort, but it’s definitely worth it for completionists and animal lovers alike.

What is the Zoologist Achievement?

The 'Zoologist' achievement is unlocked by studying every single animal in the game. Yep, you read that right--every animal. RDR2 boasts a whopping 178 different creatures. From tiny birds to giant grizzly bears, they’re all fair game. By the end of this, you’ll feel like a bona fide wildlife expert.

How to Study Animals

Studying animals in RDR2 is pretty straightforward. Here's what you need to do:

1. Spot the Animal: Whenever you see an animal, lock your focus on it. This is done by holding down the L2 button (LT on Xbox).

2. Study It: While focusing on the animal, press R1 (RB on Xbox). This action will "study" the animal, adding it to your Compendium.

3. Use Binoculars: If the animal is too far away to see clearly, whip out your trusty binoculars by pressing up on the D-pad. Focus and study the same way as you would up close.

4. Track with Eagle Eye: Use your Eagle Eye skill to track animals that are elusive or move quickly. This will help you get close enough to study them.

Tips and Tricks

• Vary Your Locations: Some animals are native to specific areas. Make sure to explore different environments like swamps, forests, mountains, and plains.

• Time of Day: Remember that some animals are nocturnal. Don’t hesitate to venture out at night to find those elusive critters.

• Don’t Forget Fish: Make sure to study fish when you’re near water bodies. You might need to catch them and then study them while they're in your hand.

• Little Things Matter: Even the smallest of creatures count. Rabbits, raccoons, and even frogs need to be studied.

Notable Animals to Track

To help out, here's a mini-list of some unique animals you might overlook:

• Florida Panther: Found in the swampy regions of Lemoyne.
• Grizzly Bear: Lurks around Grizzlies West and Ambarino.
• Scarlet Tanager: A red bird often missed; look for it in wooded areas.

Progress Tracking

You can keep tabs on your progress by heading to the Compendium in the game’s pause menu. Scroll to the “Animals” section to see which ones you’ve already studied and which ones you still need to hunt down.

Final Thoughts

Getting the 'Zoologist' achievement takes some real dedication, but it’s a super immersive way to explore RDR2’s incredibly detailed world. Plus, you get some bragging rights! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars ready, and you’ll be an RDR2 animal expert in no time.

Good luck out there, cowboy!

It's Art - Red Dead Redemption 2 Achievement Guide

Unlocking the "It's Art" achievement in Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the more delightful experiences in the game due to its depth in storytelling and character interaction. To earn this achievement, you’ll need to complete the side missions involving Charles Châtenay, an eccentric French painter. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get through this series of missions.

Step 1: The Artist's Way (I)

To get started, you’ll first need to locate Charles Châtenay in the town of Saint Denis. The first mission, "The Artist's Way I", becomes available in Chapter 4. You can find Charles in a small alleyway near the saloon. Look for the “Stranger” icon on your map.

Once you meet Charles, you’ll be roped into helping him deal with some rowdy locals who’re not too fond of his modern art. This mission mostly involves escorting Charles and defending him when necessary.

Pro Tips

• Be prepared for a fistfight; you'll need to defend Charles from some hostile townsfolk.
• Follow Charles closely and be quick to intervene when things get heated.

Step 2: The Artist's Way (II)

After completing the first encounter, a second part of Charles’ story will become available shortly thereafter. This mission involves rescuing Charles from some vigilantes who have captured him due to his perceived 'immoral' art.

Key Actions

• Locate and free Charles from the vigilantes.
• Make sure to have a weapon ready for a quick and clean rescue.

Step 3: The Artist's Way (III)

The next time you find Charles, he’s in trouble again. This time, he’s in a bit of a romantic pickle. During this mission, "The Artist's Way III," you’ll need to help Charles escape an arranged duel with an angry suitor. The outcome primarily involves a chase, so be ready to move quickly.

Chase Tips

• Use your horse for the pursuit and keep an eye on the mini-map to catch up with Charles.
• Herd Charles to safety while avoiding any potential hazards.

Step 4: The Artist's Way (IV)

In the concluding chapter of Charles’ escapades, his troubles come to a head during "The Artist's Way IV." He finally decides enough is enough and plans to leave Saint Denis. Arthur helps him one last time as he attempts to sail away from his troubles.

Final Assistance

• Guide Charles to the pier and protect him from any last-minute interruptions.
• Ensure that he makes it safely to his boat and bids you a dramatic farewell.

Achievement Unlocked

Once you've seen Charles off and completed these four missions, you'll be granted the "It's Art" achievement. This series of quests not only earns you a shiny new trophy but also gives you a deeper insight into one of the game’s more colorful characters.

Final Thoughts

Completing "It's Art" adds a lot to the rich tapestry of Red Dead Redemption 2’s world. Charles Châtenay’s missions are a mix of comedy, drama, and action, making them some of the most entertaining side quests in the game. Enjoy the ride and watch as Charles flamboyantly exits the stage of Saint Denis!

That’s it! You’ve successfully unlocked another achievement and delved deeper into the eclectic world of Red Dead Redemption 2. Happy trail riding!

Red Dead Redemption 2 Achievement Guide

Skin Deep

So you’re looking to dive into the “Skin Deep” achievement in Red Dead Redemption 2. This is one of those satisfying yet somewhat challenging achievements that has you channeling your inner trapper. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the "Skin Deep" Achievement?

To unlock the "Skin Deep" achievement, you'll need to skin every species of animal in the game. Considering the game's vast map and rich biodiversity, this means you’ve got quite the tour ahead of you.

Getting Ready

First things first, you'll need some essentials:

• A good horse: You'll be covering a lot of ground.
• Weapons: A bow with upgraded ammunition and rifles for different animal sizes.
• Variety of bait: Herbivore and predator bait to lure out different types of animals.
• Patience and attention: Animals can sometimes be elusive!

Exploring the Map

The animals are spread out across different regions and habitats. Knowing where to find them is half the battle. Here's a basic breakdown of where to find the main types of animals:

• Forest Regions: You'll find deer, rabbits, raccoons, and various birds.
• Mountainous Areas: Look for goats, cougars, and eagles.
• Swamps: Expect alligators, boars, and different types of fish.
• Deserts: Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and wild horses are common.
• Plains: Buffalo, pronghorn, and prairie chickens are here.
• Lakes and Rivers: You'll find beavers, moose, and otters near water sources.

Pro Tips for Hunting

1. Use Eagle Eye: It can help you track and spot animals easily.
2. Study Before Hunting: Always study an animal before you shoot. This reveals information about its quality and hints for getting a perfect pelt.
3. Perfect Pelts: For some animals, getting a perfect pelt requires using the right weapon. For small animals, use a Varmint Rifle. For larger animals, a Springfield Rifle works well.
4. Different Times of Day: Some animals are nocturnal while others are diurnal. Pay attention to the time when hunting specific species.

Key Animals to Remember

While you'll generally find animals by exploring, here are a few specific ones that people often miss:

• Panther: Found in the bayou regions, particularly around Bolder Glade. It's stealthy and attacks on sight.
• Grizzly Bear: Usually found in the northern snowy areas, especially past Colter.
• Legendary Animals: You don’t need them for this achievement, but they offer great practice!

Tracking Your Progress

To keep track of which animals you've skinned, check your progress in the Menu:

• Press Options/Start.
• Navigate to the Progress tab.
• Select Compendium.
• Choose Animals.

Here, you can see which animals you've studied, killed, and skinned.

Closing Remarks

Unlocking the "Skin Deep" achievement in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires dedication, exploration, and a lot of patience. But, it's totally worth it for that sense of completion and bragging rights. Plus, you get to truly appreciate the detailed world Rockstar has created.

So saddle up, stock up on supplies, and happy hunting!