Can You Find Dutch’s Money in Blackwater in Red Dead Redemption 2? The Truth Revealed
The burning question on every Red Dead Redemption 2 player’s mind: Can you actually find Dutch van der Linde’s infamous Blackwater money stash in Blackwater itself, playing as Arthur Morgan? The short answer, with a touch of nuance, is no, not in a way that allows you to keep it or change the narrative. While the game’s open world allows you to go to Blackwater as Arthur (though it’s a perilous journey!), you won’t find a hidden chest brimming with the stolen loot. The game’s story is meticulously crafted, and some elements, like the Blackwater heist money, are crucial to the narrative’s central themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the decay of the Van der Linde gang.
You can venture into Blackwater as Arthur. However, be prepared for an overwhelming response from law enforcement. The area is heavily guarded, and you’ll likely be met with immediate and lethal force. Even if you manage to survive the onslaught, there’s no interactive element in Blackwater that triggers the discovery of the money. No matter how much you search, you won’t stumble upon a chest or a clue leading to its location.
The idea of finding the Blackwater money is more potent than the reality. It represents a solution to the gang’s problems, a way out of their increasingly desperate situation. The fact that it remains perpetually out of reach underscores the futility of Dutch’s plans and the inevitability of the gang’s downfall.
The narrative heavily hints at the money’s existence and significance, but it strategically keeps the physical recovery of the stash out of Arthur’s reach. Later in the game, as John Marston in the epilogue, you do indirectly receive a portion of the Blackwater money, implying it was eventually recovered. The most poignant interaction involves Dutch, in the final mission “American Venom,” leaving the money with John. This moment signifies a reluctant acknowledgment of his failures and a final, albeit late, act of loyalty to Arthur’s memory and John’s future.
It’s more about the idea of the Blackwater money being retrieved than it actually being retrieved. Red Dead Redemption 2 explores themes of inevitability and the destructive nature of unattainable dreams.
Exploring the Blackwater Myth: More Than Just Money
The Blackwater money functions as a symbolic McGuffin, driving the plot and shaping the characters’ decisions. It represents the unattainable American Dream, the promise of freedom and prosperity that ultimately proves illusory.
The game uses the Blackwater money to emphasize the gang’s decline, as their increasingly reckless actions and internal conflicts stem from the pressure to secure a financial future that remains forever just out of reach.
In essence, you can’t find the stash of money in Blackwater. It’s not an accessible feature of the game. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a narrative masterpiece, and the handling of the Blackwater money is a testament to this. The money is an important narrative tool. It’s there to make the game more complex.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dutch’s Money and Related Mysteries
Here are some frequently asked questions and detailed answers regarding the treasure, characters, and other interesting tidbits in Red Dead Redemption 2:
1. When Does Dutch Mention His Mother’s Grave in Blackwater?
Dutch mentions that his mother is buried in Blackwater during the fishing trip with Arthur and Hosea in Chapter 3, after the botched Saint Denis Bank robbery. The exact timing varies, but it’s usually after a few successful catches and some reflective conversation. This detail further deepens the mystery surrounding Blackwater and hints at a more personal connection for Dutch.
2. Does John Find the Blackwater Money?
During the mission “American Venom” in the Epilogue, John Marston finds a chest containing money, which is strongly implied to be a portion of the Blackwater heist money. Dutch van der Linde leaves the chest with John after the final confrontation with Micah Bell. The Blackwater money is the only explanation for the $20,000 (amount may vary) he and Sadie find.
3. Where Can I Find Hidden Treasures Outside of Blackwater?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is filled with treasures! Some key locations include:
- Beaver Hollow: Offers valuables and resources.
- Saint Denis Cemetery: Contains gold bars in a mausoleum.
- Various Treasure Maps: Lead to hidden stashes throughout the world.
- Landmarks: Explore landmarks to find valuables.
4. Can You Find Dutch’s Chest as John in Beaver Hollow?
Yes, if you chose to help John during the final moments of Chapter 6, Dutch’s chest will still be under the wagon in Beaver Hollow when you return as John in the Epilogue.
5. What Happens If Arthur Tries to Go to Blackwater Early?
If Arthur ventures into Blackwater early in the game, he will be met with intense law enforcement resistance. He’ll be hunted down and quickly killed by lawmen. Blackwater is considered a restricted area for Arthur, and the game makes it extremely difficult to survive there until the Epilogue when you play as John Marston.
6. Where is the Serial Killer’s Hiding Spot?
The serial killer, Edmund Lowry Jr., hides in Lucky’s Cabin, southwest of Valentine. You’ll need to find clues scattered across the map to pinpoint the exact location.
7. How Much is Dutch’s Bounty?
Dutch van der Linde’s bounty in Red Dead Redemption 2 is $10,000.
8. Why Is John Not Wanted in Blackwater in the Epilogue?
By the time John Marston takes control in the Epilogue, eight years have passed since the Blackwater heist. While John is an associate in the crime, the authorities are no longer actively pursuing him as intensely. This is because the law enforcement has had a change in focus.
9. Why Did Dutch Leave the Money at the End of the Game?
Dutch leaves the money with John in “American Venom” because he has a change of heart after witnessing Micah Bell’s betrayal and realizing the consequences of his actions.
10. Can John Get Arthur’s Money?
Yes, there is one way. The easiest way to get Arthur’s money is to do the Aberdeen Pig Farm side mission, but don’t return to the farm until you’re John.
11. Should I Help John or Get the Money in the Final Mission?
Helping John is the best way to end Arthur’s story, as it provides a more satisfying conclusion and aligns with the themes of redemption.
12. Can You Cure Arthur’s Tuberculosis?
No, Arthur’s tuberculosis is not curable. The game makes it clear that the disease is terminal, and while you can manage the symptoms with tonics and rest, there is no cure.
13. Why Did Dutch Shoot Micah at the End?
Dutch shoots Micah at the end to avenge Arthur’s death and acknowledge Micah’s betrayal. It’s a symbolic act of redemption for Dutch, even though he can never truly atone for his actions.
14. Was Micah Always a Rat?
Micah begins ratting on the gang after they return from Guarma, not before. It is heavily implied that Micah had always been selfish and self-serving.
15. What is Dutch’s Full Name?
Dutch’s full name is Dutch van der Linde.
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In conclusion, while you can venture into Blackwater as Arthur Morgan, the game doesn’t allow you to find and keep the Blackwater money. The legend of the Blackwater stash and the tragic fallout of the heist is woven into the tapestry of Red Dead Redemption 2, reminding players that some dreams, like the untamed West itself, are destined to fade away.