Can You Complete Challenges as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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Yes, you absolutely can complete most of the challenges as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2. While some players believe certain challenges are exclusive to Arthur Morgan, most can be tackled during the epilogue of the game. Arthur’s work in the world remains after his passing, allowing John to pick up where he left off and continue his progress towards 100% completion. However, there are a few exceptions, primarily involving specific characters and interactions tied directly to Arthur. Let’s dive deeper into what you can and can’t accomplish with John.
Understanding Challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2
Challenges are a significant part of Red Dead Redemption 2, offering players goals to pursue outside the main storyline. These challenges are categorized into several disciplines:
- Bandit: Involving criminal activities, like robbing trains and stagecoaches.
- Gambler: Centered around winning at various games of chance.
- Herbalist: Focused on collecting and crafting with various herbs and plants.
- Horseman: Related to horsemanship skills, like riding long distances and performing specific maneuvers.
- Hunter: Involving hunting animals using different weapons and techniques.
- Master Hunter: More advanced hunting challenges.
- Sharpshooter: Based on accuracy and skill with firearms.
- Survivalist: Testing your ability to survive in the wilderness.
- Treasure Hunter: Finding hidden treasure across the map.
- Weapons Expert: Mastering different weapons and their uses.
Completing these challenges rewards you with improved attributes, unique equipment, and overall progression towards mastering the game.
What John Can Do
As previously stated, John Marston can complete the vast majority of the challenges. Here is a broad overview of what John can accomplish:
- Continue progress on any partially completed challenges started by Arthur.
- Start and finish many of the Bandit, Gambler, Herbalist, Horseman, Hunter, Master Hunter, Sharpshooter, Survivalist, and Weapons Expert challenges.
- Explore the map and discover new locations crucial to completing challenges.
- Tame and break wild horses to fulfill horsemanship requirements.
- Hunt legendary animals required for certain challenges.
The epilogue is designed to allow players to experience the world as John and complete much of the content that Arthur may have missed or left unfinished.
The Limitations: What John Can’t Do
While John Marston is capable, there are some restrictions on the challenges he can complete. These limitations mostly revolve around character-specific interactions and elements from Arthur’s story:
- Mary Linton Missions: John cannot complete any missions or interactions specifically related to Arthur’s former love interest, Mary Linton, for obvious narrative reasons. These missions are intrinsically linked to Arthur’s personal story.
- Some Stranger Missions: Certain Stranger Missions might be unavailable to John if they have a strong connection to Arthur or if the narrative logic prevents John from continuing them.
- Camp Upgrades and Interactions: John cannot interact with the gang camp in the same way that Arthur could. He can’t upgrade the camp or engage in the same social activities.
- Arthur-Specific Items: Arthur’s personal belongings (excluding those that transfer narratively) are not accessible to John. This usually does not impact challenge completion, though.
- Avoiding the Inevitable: You cannot change story elements like preventing Arthur from contracting Tuberculosis.
These limitations are in place to maintain the integrity of the story and character arcs.
Tips for Completing Challenges as John
Here are some tips for maximizing your success when completing challenges as John Marston:
- Utilize Arthur’s Journal: Check Arthur’s journal to see what progress he made on various challenges. This will give you a good starting point.
- Consult Online Guides: Use online resources and guides to find the best strategies and locations for specific challenges.
- Focus on Skill Trees: Invest in skills and abilities that enhance your performance in the areas required for each challenge.
- Take Your Time: There is no rush. Explore the world, experiment with different strategies, and enjoy the process.
- Upgrade Equipment: Ensure you have the best weapons, gear, and horse for the tasks at hand.
- Utilize Dead Eye: The Dead Eye ability is invaluable for completing sharpshooter and hunting challenges.
- Master crafting: Understand all the crafting recipes. It is essential for completing Herbalist and Survivalist Challenges.
FAQs: Completing Challenges as John Marston
1. Can John complete all the Stranger Missions?
John can complete almost all the Stranger Missions that Arthur was undertaking, the only exceptions seemingly being the ones for Mary Linton, for obvious reasons.
2. Is John weaker than Arthur?
While it is a matter of debate, if Arthur were to close the gap in a hypothetical battle, his size and bare-knuckle fighting ability would likely give him the edge over John.
3. Can you go back for the money as John after being robbed by the Aberdeen Pig Farm?
Yes, if you leave your money at the Aberdeen Pig Farm when they rob you and return as John, all the money Arthur possessed will still be there.
4. Can you finish all the challenges as Arthur?
Yes, it is possible to finish all the challenges as Arthur, and it’s recommended by most players due to narrative reasons and preference.
5. Is there an ending where Arthur doesn’t get TB?
Unfortunately, no. Once Arthur Morgan extorts the Downes family, he is as good as dead, and there’s no way for players to cure his tuberculosis in RDR2.
6. Can you skip Arthur getting TB?
No, it is impossible to skip the mission where Arthur contracts TB. It is the only money-lending mission that you HAVE to do to progress the story.
7. Can John get Dutch’s money?
During “American Venom,” John finds a chest that Dutch leaves him with that’s assumed to have the Blackwater money. John himself gets roughly $20,000 and that’s split with Charles and Sadie.
8. Can you keep Arthur’s money as John?
Yes, if you leave your money in the Aberdeen Pig Farm, when you return as John, all the money Arthur possessed will still be there.
9. Who is stronger: Arthur or Micah?
Arthur is generally considered the tougher of Dutch’s gang, while Micah’s inability to defeat an emaciated, dying man proves how much of a pushover he is in physical combat.
10. Who is more loved: Arthur or John?
Arthur is generally seen as the more beloved character due to his complex character arc and journey towards redemption. However, John has an edge when it comes to character relationships, especially love interests.
11. What can’t you do as John in RDR2?
Some things that Arthur can do that John can’t include keeping a great journal, avoiding scarring, being a decent father figure to Jack, and decorating and improving the camp.
12. Why did Dutch like Micah so much?
Dutch likely felt he owed Micah something after Micah saved his life.
13. Did Dutch know Micah was a rat?
As Arthur lays dying, pleading with Dutch to see that Micah is a rat, his former mentor begins to piece it all together.
14. Can you get an Arabian as John in RDR2?
Yes. Once you complete the game, there is also a new Arabian horse unlocked that is superior to the white one. You can even sell it before chapter six, then re-tame it with John.
15. Can you get the Blackwater money as Arthur?
Yes, during the epilogue of Red Dead Redemption 2, you can find the money from the Blackwater heist and the camp funds. Also, research on games and learning can shed light on why players are so engaged in pursuits like finding hidden treasure.
Completing challenges as John Marston provides a continuation of the gameplay experience, allowing players to further explore the world and test their skills. With careful planning and a dedication to mastering the game’s various mechanics, you can successfully complete most of the challenges and experience the full depth of Red Dead Redemption 2. Learning more about the educational aspects of gaming can be beneficial. Consider visiting the Games Learning Society website for more information: GamesLearningSociety.org.