Can You Keep Arthur’s Money as John in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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The short answer is: No, you cannot directly keep Arthur’s money as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2. The game mechanics are designed to prevent a direct transfer of cash between the two protagonists. When Arthur’s story concludes, the bulk of his possessions, including money, gold bars, food, herbs, and small animal carcasses, are wiped clean. This mechanic serves a narrative purpose, emphasizing the loss and transition that John experiences.
However, all hope is not lost! While the game doesn’t allow for a direct carryover of Arthur’s wealth, there are ways that John can become wealthy during the epilogue. By focusing on completing missions, robbing banks and trains, locating hidden businesses, wrangling and selling horses, gambling, becoming a bounty hunter, looting bodies, and locating treasure, you can get John well on his way to living comfortably.
Understanding the Economic Shift
The game creators implemented a change in gameplay by not allowing money to carry over, gold used to carry over, but this feature was changed at some point. Players can still go on a shopping spree, as clothing and weapons do carry over. This economic reset reinforces the narrative of John starting anew, building his own life from the ground up after the demise of the Van der Linde gang. The epilogue shifts the gameplay emphasis from managing Arthur’s existing wealth to earning a living through honest (or not-so-honest) work as John.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Arthur’s Possessions and John’s Inheritance
H2 What Possessions Do Carry Over from Arthur to John?
While money doesn’t transfer, not everything is lost. John inherits several key aspects of Arthur’s journey:
- Outfits and Clothing: After a few missions in the epilogue, John receives all of Arthur’s outfits and clothing. Feel free to continue Arthur’s unique fashion sense!
- Weapons: John gains access to Arthur’s arsenal early in the epilogue. You won’t have to re-collect your favorite firearms.
- Compendium Progress: Your progress in the Compendium, including discovered animals, plants, and items, carries over, making the completionist aspect of the game much easier.
- Crafting Recipes: Recipes learned by Arthur are available to John, allowing you to craft essential items and upgrades.
- Map Discoveries: All locations discovered on the map by Arthur remain revealed for John.
- Honor Level: While not a possession in the traditional sense, Arthur’s honor level influences certain aspects of the epilogue.
- Some Trinkets and Talismans: Some crafted trinkets and talismans remain in John’s possession, granting him useful passive bonuses.
H2 What Happens to Arthur’s Horses?
Unfortunately, all horses owned by Arthur are lost upon his death. You cannot transfer or recover them as John. This includes special horses like Buell, obtained during the Hamish Sinclair side missions. John must find and tame new horses.
H2 Can I Get Dutch’s Chest as John?
(Spoiler) Yes, Dutch’s chest remains in Beaver Hollow if Arthur chose the honorful option (helping John escape). If you return as John, the chest will be under the wagon in Beaver Hollow, untouched. This provides a significant amount of money to help John establish himself.
H2 Can John Do Everything Arthur Can?
John can complete almost all of the Stranger Missions that Arthur started. The only exceptions are the ones for Mary Linton, as her storyline is specific to Arthur. This allows you to continue exploring the world and interacting with its inhabitants.
H2 What Can Arthur Do That John Cannot?
One significant difference is Arthur can swim effectively, while John drowns almost immediately. John’s stamina depletes rapidly in water, making swimming a near-impossible task. This limits his exploration in certain areas.
H2 Is There a Way to Transfer Money from Arthur to John Before the Epilogue?
No, there is no legitimate in-game method to directly transfer money from Arthur to John before the epilogue. Any methods claiming to do so likely involve exploits or glitches. However, you can spend all of your money as Arthur on things that can carry over into the epilogue, like outfits, weapons, or supplies that can be used or sold.
H2 Can You Go to Arthur’s Grave as John?
Yes, you can visit Arthur’s grave as John. It’s located on top of the mountain to the northeast of Bacchus Bridge. The epitaph on the grave will reflect Arthur’s honor level during his life. High honor will also spawn an eagle, while low honor will spawn a coyote.
H2 What Happens If Arthur Goes Back for the Money Instead of Helping John?
If Arthur chooses to go back for the money during the final moments of Chapter 6, he retrieves the money but is then ambushed by Micah Bell. Regardless of the choice, Arthur meets his end; however, choosing to help John is considered the “high honor” option.
H2 How to Get Rich Quick as John in RDR2?
Here are some effective ways to accumulate wealth as John:
- Complete missions: Main story missions and Stranger Missions offer substantial payouts.
- Rob banks and trains: A risky but potentially lucrative venture.
- Locate hidden businesses: Some stores are fronts for illegal activities, offering unique opportunities.
- Wrangle horses and wagons to sell: A relatively safe and consistent source of income.
- Gamble: Play poker, blackjack, or other games of chance.
- Become a bounty hunter: Capture or kill wanted criminals for rewards.
- Loot bodies: Search the bodies of fallen enemies and NPCs for valuables.
- Locate treasure: Explore the world and follow treasure maps to find hidden stashes of gold and cash.
- Find Dutch’s Chest: (As previously discussed).
H2 Does Arthur Survive If He Goes With John?
No, Arthur does not survive regardless of his choice. He succumbs to tuberculosis in the final moments of the game. Choosing to help John simply alters the circumstances of his death and is considered the “high honor” ending.
H2 Can You Get the Blackwater Money as John?
Yes, in the mission “American Venom,” John finds a chest with the Blackwater money, receiving $20,000 as his share. This happens during a cutscene, so you don’t have to actively search for it.
H2 What About Arthur’s Camp Funds?
Unfortunately, any money left in the Aberdeen Pig Farm will be there.
H2 Does John Know Micah Killed Arthur?
The game implies that John knows Micah betrayed the gang, but it doesn’t explicitly state whether he knows the full extent of Micah’s role in Arthur’s death.
H2 Can You Free Roam as Arthur After Beating RDR2?
No, you cannot free roam as Arthur after completing the main story and epilogue without using mods. Arthur’s story concludes with his death.
H2 Can You Get an Arabian Horse as John?
Yes, you can acquire the White Arabian horse as John by returning to Lake Isabella, where it can be found and tamed again. This horse is considered one of the best-looking and fastest in the game.
The Legacy Lives On
While John can’t directly inherit Arthur’s money, he inherits something far more valuable: Arthur’s experiences, skills, and legacy. He has the opportunity to build a new life, shaped by the lessons learned during his time with the Van der Linde gang and the sacrifices Arthur made. By exploring the world, completing missions, and embracing the challenges of the epilogue, John can carve out his own path and create a future for his family. The game’s narrative emphasizes that true wealth lies not in money, but in the bonds we forge and the choices we make. To learn more about the impact of games on learning and society, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Although you can’t keep Arthur’s money, there are still ways to become wealthy as John in the epilogue. With some hard work, you can get John on his way to living comfortably.