Can You Get Your Stabled Horses After Arthur Dies in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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The simple, and perhaps heartbreaking, answer is no, you cannot get your stabled horses back after Arthur Morgan dies in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). This is a crucial element of the game’s narrative, and a mechanic that impacts gameplay significantly, adding emotional weight and encouraging strategic planning throughout the story. When Arthur’s journey concludes, his entire stable of horses is lost, regardless of their breed, bonding level, or cost.
This loss is a central part of the transition into the epilogue, where you take on the role of John Marston. While John will inherit many of Arthur’s possessions, such as weapons, outfits, trinkets, and satchel upgrades, the horses are not included. It’s a clean break that emphasizes the passage of time and the unique circumstances of each character’s journey. This mechanic is designed to make players consider the bond with Arthur and his horse, adding emotional depth to the gameplay experience.
The Impact of Losing Arthur’s Horses
The loss of Arthur’s horses can be quite impactful for players who spent time and money acquiring and bonding with specific steeds. Those majestic Arabians, sturdy Turkomans, or unique breeds players had become attached to are gone, forcing a fresh start with John. This mechanic serves multiple purposes in the game’s design:
- Emotional Impact: Losing beloved horses reinforces the finality of Arthur’s story and the sense of loss that accompanies his death. It drives home the narrative message of change and the inevitable passage of time.
- New Beginnings: It forces players to engage with the game world in a different way as John, requiring them to find and bond with new horses, exploring new areas and taking advantage of different breed options.
- Resource Management: Knowing that horses will be lost at the end encourages players to strategize their spending on horse-related items, such as saddles, stirrups and consumables, rather than stockpiling for a future they won’t be playing through.
- Game Realism: The permanence of horse death and the loss of Arthur’s stable adds a sense of realism to the game, underscoring that actions have consequences and that the game world continues on even after Arthur’s departure.
FAQs: Understanding Horse Mechanics in RDR2
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how horse ownership works in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially concerning the transition between Arthur and John:
1. What happens to Buell when Arthur dies?
If you completed the final “Veteran” mission with Hamish Sinclair as Arthur, then Buell, like all of Arthur’s horses, will be lost after the mission “Red Dead Redemption”. However, if you complete the mission as John, you’ll be able to keep Buell in the Epilogue.
2. Does John inherit Arthur’s horse saddles and stirrups?
Yes, John will inherit all of Arthur’s unlocked saddles and stirrups, meaning any upgrades or cosmetic options you invested in will carry over and can be used on his new horses.
3. Can you get the White Arabian horse again after Arthur dies?
Yes, the White Arabian horse will respawn near Lake Isabella after around 4 in-game days, allowing John to tame it. You can also find other Arabians in the world and by random encounters, if you’d like to skip the wait.
4. Are horse deaths permanent in RDR2?
Yes, horse deaths are permanent in RDR2. If your horse dies, whether by your hand, an accident, or in a combat scenario, it is gone forever and you must acquire a new one from the stables or in the wild.
5. What happens to a purchased horse if it dies in RDR2?
If you purchase a horse and it dies, you cannot get it back. You must buy or tame a new horse. There is no way to retrieve a lost, purchased horse.
6. Can you keep legendary horses permanently in RDR2?
You can keep any horse you tame or purchase, but if it dies in game, the horse is gone. There is no special way to keep a particular horse from dying, except by avoiding dangerous situations and caring for the animal properly.
7. Does Arthur cry when his horse dies?
Yes, in certain scenarios, Arthur will visibly display grief and emotional distress when his horse dies, further emphasizing the bond between him and his equine companion.
8. Can you keep Arthur’s money as John?
While Arthur’s cash is not transferred to John, John will inherit all of Arthur’s gold bars, clothing, and weapons. You can make the most of this by spending your money on clothes and weapons before the end, to pass the gear down.
9. How does horse bonding work in RDR2?
Bonding with a horse occurs over time as you ride, feed, brush, and calm them. The higher the bond level, the better the horse’s performance, such as speed, handling, and courage. Though bonding level does not carry over between horses, as bonding a new horse for John will be a new experience.
10. What is the fastest horse in RDR2?
The Rose Gray Bay Arabian is generally considered the fastest horse in the game, when combined with a high bonding level, a good saddle and improved stirrups.
11. What carries over from Arthur to John?
John inherits Arthur’s weapons, outfits, kit items, trinkets, talismans, valuables, and documents. Character progress, such as known recipes and completed challenges, also carry over. However, core stat progress is reduced.
12. Can I sell horses I steal to the horse fence?
Yes, after completing the story mission “Horse Flesh for Dinner,” you can sell stolen horses to the horse fence. This is a good way to gain some quick cash, particularly for the Bandit Challenge.
13. Can you keep horses you find in the wild?
You can tame and keep horses found in the wild. However, before you complete the mission “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego” you cannot stable these horses.
14. Does the Red Chestnut Arabian respawn if it dies?
Yes, all wild Arabians, including the Red Chestnut Arabian, will respawn after a few in-game days, should they die. This allows you to acquire another one in the epilogue.
15. Can John get Dutch’s money?
John doesn’t inherit Arthur’s money but when John is able to return to the mountain area where Dutch and Micah were last seen, he will find their money stash and gain a large amount of money.
Conclusion
While the loss of Arthur’s stabled horses is a disheartening aspect of the transition to the epilogue, it’s a deliberate choice by the developers to emphasize the emotional weight of the story and the fresh start John Marston experiences. By understanding the permanence of horse death and the mechanics of the transition, players can make informed decisions throughout their playthrough and appreciate the nuances of the game’s narrative. While you may mourn the loss of your favorite steeds, know that there are plenty of horses to befriend as John, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is vast and there is a new steed waiting for you just over the horizon, so don’t be disheartened by the loss.