Can You Complete Arthur’s Missions as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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The question of whether John Marston can pick up the reins of Arthur Morgan’s unfinished business in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a common one among players. The short answer is: yes, largely, but with some key exceptions. While John inherits the open world and many of its activities, there are notable differences in what he can and cannot accomplish compared to Arthur. Let’s delve into the specifics of what missions and activities are transferable between the two protagonists, and what remains exclusive to each character.
Stranger Missions: A Mixed Bag
Most of the Stranger Missions that Arthur starts can indeed be completed by John after the main story. The most notable exceptions are those directly linked to Arthur’s relationships, particularly his connection with Mary Linton. These missions are often personal and narrative-driven, making them character-specific and untransferable to John. Aside from these, you will likely find that many of the Stranger encounters will still be available with John, allowing you to continue exploring the world and its side stories.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Completable: Generally, most side quests involving helping strangers with a variety of needs, such as hunting, delivering goods, or resolving conflicts, can be completed by John if Arthur didn’t get around to them.
- Not Completable: Missions that involve personal relationships or plotlines that are specific to Arthur, like those with Mary, will not be available or transferable to John.
- Exceptions: A few specific stranger quests might only trigger under certain conditions, which may differ between Arthur and John. This means some players might have a slightly different experience, but the majority of Stranger encounters are indeed doable with John.
- Unlockable Strangers: Certain Stranger missions, like the ‘A Fine Night For It’ vampire encounter, are available for both Arthur and John.
Money and Possessions: What Carries Over
The transfer of assets between Arthur and John is a bit more complex:
Arthur’s Money
- Aberdeen Pig Farm Trick: The only reliable way to transfer Arthur’s money to John is through the Aberdeen Pig Farm encounter. If you allow them to rob you in the earlier parts of the game and DO NOT return until you are playing as John, all of Arthur’s money can be retrieved. It’s crucial not to visit the farm in chapter 6, as that will invalidate this method.
- Satchel: Arthur’s satchel of belongings is transferred to John but does not contain all his money.
- Blackwater Money: As John, players will eventually receive a portion of the Blackwater money during the “American Venom” mission, providing a substantial boost to their finances.
- Dutch’s Stash: You can find Dutch’s chest from Beaver Hollow under the wagon in the same area as John if you chose to go with John in the final choice of the sixth chapter. This will contain some valuables.
Arthur’s Horses
- No Transfers: Unfortunately, Arthur’s horses, including unique ones like Buell from Hamish Sinclair, will not transfer over to John. When Arthur dies, all of his horses are lost.
- White Arabian: As John, you can retame the White Arabian at Lake Isabella if you had it as Arthur. It will respawn after a short while if you have previously had it as Arthur. This allows you to still acquire one of the best horses in the game.
- Other Horses: Any horses that Arthur has stabled will be gone, and you will have to start your collection again from scratch.
Activities and Abilities: Differences Between Arthur and John
While they share the same world, Arthur and John have some crucial differences in their abilities and what they can do:
Arthur Specific Actions
- Camp Improvements: Only Arthur can decorate and improve the camp. John will not have any of these options.
- Character Development: Arthur is the main character through the bulk of the story, his story is one of growth and change. John’s story is more about the epilogue and his family.
- Unique Quirks: Arthur can hum while riding his horse, and he is able to grow a longer beard than John.
- Illness and Appearance: The tuberculosis that Arthur suffers from impacts his character, including changes in physical appearance and his health. John never experiences this.
- Swimming: Surprisingly, Arthur can swim; John cannot.
- Eye Color: Arthur’s eye color is consistent, while John’s changes slightly from the beginning of the epilogue, where he has more grey eyes to a more blue color later on.
- Herd Sheep: Arthur can Herd sheep; John can not.
John Specific Actions
- Hunting: John is fully capable of hunting, fishing, and all other survival activities.
- Side Missions: John can complete the vast majority of side missions, provided they don’t rely on Arthur’s personal story and connections.
- Gun Skills: While both characters can use Dead Eye, John’s experience in ranged combat is considered to be better than Arthur’s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 common questions and answers related to playing as John after Arthur’s death:
1. Can John complete the “A Fine Night For It” Vampire mission?
Yes, John can complete the “A Fine Night For It” Vampire encounter, as this is not an Arthur-specific mission.
2. Does Arthur still die if you go with John to the mountains?
Yes, Arthur still dies regardless of whether he helps John or not. Choosing to go with John will lead to a more peaceful death with a view of the mountains, while choosing to return to camp will lead to a more violent death.
3. If Arthur tamed the white Arabian, does it carry over to John?
No, you lose all horses after Arthur’s death. However, John can retame the White Arabian at Lake Isabella after the epilogue.
4. Can John get the Blackwater money as Arthur did?
No, Arthur doesn’t get any of the Blackwater money in the main game. However, John will get a share of it during the “American Venom” mission, which will be more than enough for you.
5. Will the White Arabian respawn if it dies after being tamed as John?
Yes, the White Arabian will respawn after a while if it dies.
6. What happens to all of Arthur’s valuables?
Arthur’s valuables, food, and other items are lost upon his death, except for the money kept at the Aberdeen Pig Farm.
7. Can John retrieve Dutch’s stash?
Yes, Dutch’s chest can be found at Beaver Hollow if you had chosen to side with John during the final mission.
8. How much is Dutch’s bounty in the Red Dead universe?
Dutch’s bounty is $10,000 at the time of the events in RDR2, which would be equivalent to a huge amount in today’s standards.
9. Is John wanted in Blackwater?
While John was part of the Van Der Linde Gang, he isn’t actively wanted by the time of the epilogue, since he’s not being actively pursued by law enforcement.
10. Why did Dutch shoot Micah at the end of RDR2?
Dutch shot Micah because he realized Micah was the rat who betrayed the gang, and in a way, he was getting redemption for what he put Arthur through.
11. Who is a better gunslinger, Arthur or John?
While both have Dead Eye, John’s skills as a gunfighter are considered to be superior.
12. Who would win in a fight, Arthur or John?
Arthur would likely win in a hand-to-hand fight due to his size and brawling experience.
13. Why does Dutch walk away after shooting Micah?
Dutch’s decision to walk away shows he is unable to face up to the consequences of his actions and the breakdown of his gang. He feels he can’t stay around and face the gang.
14. When could Red Dead Redemption 3 take place?
Red Dead Redemption 3 could be set in the early 1900s, potentially featuring Jack Marston, or even before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2, but this is speculation and Rockstar have yet to announce anything official.
15. Is Red Dead Redemption 2 set in the USA in the real world?
Yes, the game is set in 1899 in a fictionalized version of the United States during the decline of the Wild West era.
Conclusion
While transitioning to John Marston brings changes and some restrictions, it’s clear that players can still experience a large portion of Red Dead Redemption 2’s content after Arthur’s story ends. With the ability to complete most Stranger Missions, collect a portion of lost funds, and retame wild horses, the post-Arthur experience is still rich with opportunities. Understanding the differences and limitations between the two protagonists can help you maximize your gameplay and appreciate each character’s unique journey in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.