The Best Red Dead Redemption 2 Mechanics Beginners Should Use

Rockstars Red Dead Redemption 2 stands tall and strong years later after its release. High-quality graphics and stunning visuals, the heartfelt story, and gameplay have solidified its place as one of the greatest games in history. For new players, the depth of the Red Dead Redemption 2 experience can be both exciting and overwhelming.

New players will find themselves excited and eager to play, often overlooking essential gameplay mechanics. As a beginner, it can be scary to navigate the game’s complex mechanics and vast world. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most useful mechanics, helping players make the most of their gameplay journey.

7 Warning Shots

Deter Enemies Before They Attack

• Warn opponents and deter them from an attack to gain an advantage during missions.
• Xbox: Aim with the LT button, press up on the D-Pad then shoot with the RT button
• PlayStation: Aim with the L2 button, press up on the D-Pad then shoot with the R2 button

Firing a warning might just save a life. Warning shots are a valuable tool in Red Dead Redemption 2 online play and story mode. This allows players to intimidate enemies and potentially avoid conflict.

By firing a shot into the air or near a threat, players can signal their presence and discourage NPCs from attacking (or if feeling spicy, players can encourage a fight). Firing a warning shot can be useful when outnumbered in a mission or in situations where players feel their back is against the wall.

6 Kicking Enemies While On Horseback

Let Out A Quick Blow To Keep Enemies Away

• Kick enemies and NPCs on horseback to ride in peace, great for escaping bounties.
• Xbox: Press the B Button when an enemy or NPC is close
• Playstation: Press the O Button when an enemy or NPC is close

One of the most satisfying aspects of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the ability to kick while on horseback and not many players know about this. This quick and efficient attack can be a lifesaver in horseback combat, especially when players are outnumbered or need to take out a threat quickly.

Every best gunslinger knows how to do a little bit of combat. Simply ride up to the side of an enemy, press the appropriate button, and deliver a devastating blow, pushing them away from the horse.

5 Use Lasso To Drag Hunted Animals Out Of Water

Don’t Let Dead Animals Float Away

• Hunting can be tricky, knowing how to lasso carcasses back can save players from a loss.
• Xbox: Equip Lasso, then aim with LT on the carcass, press RT, and slowly back away from the water, dragging the animal to land
• Playstation: Equip Lasso, then aim with L2 on the carcass, press R2, and slowly back away from the water, dragging the animal to land

The lasso is one of the most leveraged items in Red Dead Redemption 2. From hogtying enemies to capturing wildlife, the lasso reigns supreme in each scenario.

Related

Advertisement

Red Dead Redemption 2: 7 Things To Do In Your First Hours Of Gameplay

Master the Wild West: A Beginner’s Guide to Red Dead Redemption 2 and how to spend those first moments as Arthur Morgan.

One of the most valuable applications is dragging hunted animals out of the water. Whether players are hunting, trying to get camp upgrades, or completing a mission, this mechanic is essential for success. Simply throw the lasso at the animal, reel it in, and drag it onto land.

4 Disarming Enemies

Shooting Arms And Hands To Disarm Enemy Weapons

• Shoot NPC hands and arms to disarm them during combat making for easy missions.
• Xbox: Equip a handgun, then aim at NPC hand or arm with LT, press RT to shoot, disarming enemy
• Playstation: Equip a handgun, then aim at NPC hand or arm with L2, press R2 to shoot, disarming enemy

Facing a tough outlaw gang? Disarming enemies is a strategic tactic in Red Dead Redemption 2 that can give players a significant advantage in combat.

By targeting NPC arms or hands, players force them to drop their weapons, leaving them vulnerable to attack. This is particularly useful during bounties, where players want to capture and bring them in alive.

3 Dodge While Aiming

Duck Away From Deadly Shots

• Dodge players and NPCs to avoid potentially deadly shots
• Xbox: While aiming with LT in a firefight, tilt the left stick in the direction you wish to dive, press X to dodge
• PlayStation: While aiming with L2 in a firefight, tilt the left stick in the direction you wish to dive, press Square to dodge

Dodging while aiming is a crucial skill for any Red Dead Redemption 2 player, new and experienced alike. By mastering this technique, players can avoid enemy attacks while maintaining accuracy.

Players will encounter a lot of enemies on the frontier, especially if going for a low-honor run. Knowing how to deal with enemies, move effectively, and wield weapons is part of building skills. Adding this simple mechanic to the roster as a new player will give players a major advantage over competitors. Simply press the appropriate button to dodge to the side, and players are able to evade incoming bullets or melee strikes making them a deadly opponent in combat.

2 Adjust Body Weight

Heavy Play For Heavy Punches

• Adjust weight based on playstyle, maintaining weight from scrawny to bulky or in between
• Xbox, and PlayStation: Stock up on snacks, cook meats or stews at camp (Players can purchase tonics from Harriet online to change weight when playing as Naturalist)

Weight adjustment is a fundamental mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2. Players can navigate the world more effectively and gain advantages based on their play style.

6:15

Related

Red Dead Redemption 2: 10 Best Reasons To Go For A Dishonorable Run

To say that Arthur Morgan is a morally distraught outlaw would be an understatement. The now-iconic protagonist of Rockstar’s latest installment in th

Advertisement

Being underweight drains cores faster and stamina drains slower, but incoming damage sustained is higher, whereas being overweight provides improved damage tolerance but drains cores and stamina faster. Knowing how to maintain Arthur or players’ online character’s weight class gives major advantages in situations.

1 Travel In Cinematic Mode

Travel Across The Map While Enjoying The Scenery

• Enjoy the beauty of Red Dead Redemption 2 in cinematic style
• Xbox: Set a waypoint then begin travel, simply hold the view button until it activates
• Playstation: Set a waypoint then begin travel, simply hold the touchpad until it activates

Taking in all the beauty of Red Dead Redemption 2 seems like an easy task, but to fully appreciate the scenery, activate cinematic mode, and let the game tell its story.

From the snow-capped mountains of Grizzlies East to the mysterious streets in Lemoyne, each region has its own unique beauty that can be fully appreciated in cinematic mode and players will find the journey across the map less time-consuming, while still enjoying everything Red Dead Redemption 2 has to offer. No need to compromise on exploring the map with fast travel.