Can you avoid getting TB as Arthur?

The answer to this question is no, as currently, the only known way for a player to even come close to saving Arthur from TB in RDR2 is by not progressing in the game at all, which would defeat the purpose of playing the game. Unfortunately, the storyline of Red Dead Redemption 2 is designed in such a way that Arthur Morgan contracts tuberculosis from Thomas Downes, and there is no known way to prevent this from happening.

Understanding TB in RDR2

What is TB and How is it Contracted?

Tuberculosis, commonly referred to as TB, is an airborne disease that can be spread by coughing or sneezing, making it a significant threat to those around the infected individual. In the context of RDR2, Arthur contracts TB from Thomas Downes, and despite being in close proximity to other characters, none of them seem to contract the disease.

FAQs

1. How come Arthur didn’t spread TB?: The game doesn’t explicitly explain why Arthur didn’t spread TB to other characters, but it can be assumed that it was a narrative choice to progress the story in a specific way.
2. What happens if you don’t get TB in RDR2?: If you avoid the mission where Arthur contracts TB, you can still enjoy the hunting and fishing mechanics of the game, as they are unlocked early on.
3. How long does it take for Arthur to get TB?: The incubation period of tuberculosis is approximately 3 months, which is the time it takes for Arthur’s TB to become apparent after contracting it.
4. How do you stop being sick in RDR2?: To stop being sick in RDR2, you need to acquire an item that permanently reduces the core drain speed by 15%, effectively curing Arthur of his sickness.
5. What Happens If You DON’T Go Visit Thomas Downes In Red Dead Redemption 2?: If you don’t visit Thomas Downes, Arthur won’t contract TB, but this would require not progressing through the game’s story.
6. Will there be a RDR3?: While there is no official release date for Red Dead Redemption 3, Rockstar Games has hinted that another installment in the series is likely, although it may not be released until 2026 at the earliest.
7. How contagious is TB RDR2?: TB is an airborne disease that can be spread by coughing or sneezing, making it a significant threat to those around the infected individual.
8. What’s the last mission before Arthur dies?: The last mission where you can free roam as Arthur is “My Last Boy”, after which the game progresses to the final mission “Red Dead Redemption”.
9. Did Arthur infect anyone with TB?: No one in the Van der Linde gang contracts TB from Arthur, despite his sickness.
10. Could Arthur have killed Micah without TB?: If Arthur hadn’t contracted TB, he may have been able to kill Micah at the end of the game, as his sickness weakened his immune system.
11. Why did Dutch betray Arthur?: Dutch betrays Arthur due to his own paranoia and misjudgment of Arthur’s intentions.
12. Does John get Arthur’s money?: When you get to the epilogue, John retrieves Arthur’s guns and clothing, but his money is gone, which is consistent with the story.
13. Did Micah get tuberculosis?: Micah does not contract TB, despite being exposed to infected blood.
14. Did Dutch know Micah was a rat?: Dutch eventually realizes that Micah is a traitor after Arthur confronts him about it.
15. Is it possible to save Hamish?: Unfortunately, it is not possible to save Hamish, as he is mortally wounded during a hunting trip and dies after Arthur stays with him until the end.