Can You Save Arthur Morgan From Tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2?

No, you cannot prevent Arthur Morgan from contracting tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2. It is a central, unavoidable plot point crucial to Arthur’s character arc and the game’s overall narrative. From a story perspective, Arthur’s TB serves as a catalyst for his internal conflict and eventual redemption. Attempts to circumvent the Thomas Downes mission or alter the timeline will prove fruitless, as the game mechanics are designed to ensure the narrative unfolds as intended.

The Inevitability of Arthur’s Fate

The narrative trajectory of Red Dead Redemption 2 is meticulously crafted, with Arthur Morgan’s tuberculosis diagnosis acting as a pivotal moment. His illness is not merely a superficial detail but an integral component that influences his actions, relationships, and ultimate fate. The game’s story has the illness built in. Even if you tried to do the mission earlier you would still see the illness take affect. This creates some foreshadowing throughout the game.

Even if you were to pause after Arthur has been confirmed to have the illness, the game still continues to run and Arthur still struggles with the illness.

Why Can’t Arthur Be Saved?

The reason you cannot save Arthur Morgan boils down to several key factors:

• Narrative Significance: Arthur’s illness is a major plot device driving the story forward. Removing it would fundamentally alter the game’s core themes and message.
• Forced Encounter: The mission where Arthur contracts tuberculosis is unavoidable. The game forces the player to complete the mission before other things can be completed in the game.
• Game Mechanics: The game is programmed to trigger Arthur’s illness at a specific point. Even if a player tries to avoid this situation, they cannot prevent the game from causing Arthur to cough before.
• Character Development: Arthur’s battle with TB provides an opportunity for character growth and redemption. Without it, his transformation would be less impactful.

FAQs About Arthur’s Tuberculosis

Could Arthur’s Tuberculosis Be Cured?

No. The doctor who examines Arthur explicitly states that tuberculosis is not curable at the time. The lack of medical advancements during the game’s historical setting makes a cure impossible. This point is driven home further by the slow deterioration of Arthur’s health as the game goes on. Even though players use some things like medicine to feel better temporarily, it does not offer any type of cure.

Does Arthur Give Anyone Else TB?

While Arthur contracts tuberculosis from Thomas Downes, the game never explicitly shows Arthur infecting anyone else. This is a significant plot hole, given the highly contagious nature of the disease. It’s possible that Arthur’s self-awareness of his condition led him to take precautions, or simply that the game’s narrative prioritized his individual struggle over the wider implications of a widespread outbreak. This is really for the sake of the story.

Can You Shoot Thomas Downes in Red Dead Redemption 2?

No, you cannot kill Thomas Downes. The game prevents the player from doing so. The narrative requires that Arthur contracts tuberculosis from Downes, preventing players from altering the game’s timeline and potentially saving Arthur. The game will also prevent you from progressing through the story before completing this mission.

Would Arthur Have Died from Tuberculosis?

Yes, Arthur Morgan always succumbs to tuberculosis by the end of Red Dead Redemption 2, regardless of the player’s actions. The game’s story has set this in stone. The story also makes clear that even in the event that Arthur could have beaten Micah, he would likely have died soon after from his condition.

Can You Stop Lenny from Dying in RDR2?

No, Lenny’s death is another unavoidable event. It occurs during the Saint Denis bank robbery mission and is a pivotal moment for the gang, leading to further disarray and despair. Although this is a sad event for the players, Lenny is not able to be saved.

Where Did Dutch Go After Killing Micah?

After helping John and Sadie eliminate Micah, Dutch Van der Linde simply walks away. His motivations remain ambiguous, but he seems to have finally recognized the error of his ways, albeit too late to save Arthur and the gang. In Red Dead Redemption, John tracks down and kills Dutch, who started a new gang comprised of Native Americans.

Would Hosea Side with Arthur?

Most likely, yes. Hosea Matthews served as a voice of reason and a father figure to Arthur. He would most likely side with him over Dutch’s increasingly erratic behavior. In this case, it seems Arthur and Hosea would have been together until the end.

How Long Did Arthur Live with TB?

A reasonable estimate is that Arthur lived with tuberculosis for 3-6 months. This timeframe allows for the events between his diagnosis and death to unfold believably, including the gang’s activities in Rhodes and Saint Denis. The game does a great job with showing the deterioration in Arthur’s physical and mental health.

Why Does Micah Have a Scar on His Eye?

The appearance of a scar on Micah’s eye depends on the player’s actions. If Arthur slashes Micah’s face during the “Go after the money” ending with high honor, Micah will have a noticeable scar in subsequent encounters. This helps to show some differences in different scenarios.

Why Did Dutch Shoot Micah?

Dutch’s decision to shoot Micah is complex. Ultimately, he does it to achieve some level of redemption and acknowledge his mistakes. Dutch shoots Micah because he owes that to Arthur, in a way Dutch gains his redemption by shooting the man responsible for the downfall of his gang and the death of his surrogate son.

Why Did Arthur Not Cough on Micah?

Arthur’s awareness of his condition likely led him to avoid coughing on his companions, including Micah. He may not have fully understood the severity of his illness initially, but he probably took precautions nonetheless. While this still happens at some points, he seemed to be at least a bit more cautious.

Who is Stronger, Micah or Arthur?

While both are formidable fighters, Arthur is generally considered stronger and more skilled. Micah’s inability to defeat an emaciated, dying Arthur highlights his limitations in physical combat. Also, Micah may have tried to make Arthur weaker by tiring him out at this stage of the game.

Was Dead Eye a Real Thing?

While the Dead Eye mechanic in the game is fictionalized, there was a real-world term “deadeye” that referred to a fitting in the rigging of sailing ships. These deadeyes were used to pull on ropes so sails were tightened. These were helpful because you could not tie the rope directly to the mast.

Why Did Micah Shoot Arthur in the Face?

In the low-honor ending where Arthur chooses to “go with John,” Micah kills Arthur out of spite. He says, “You’re not better than me, Morgan,” revealing his belief that a low-honor Arthur is just as immoral as he is. This ending highlights how low-honor players are murderous hypocrites that no one should listen to.

What if Arthur Never Got TB?

If Arthur had never contracted tuberculosis, the entire story would have been drastically different. He would have likely played a significant role in helping more gang members escape. He would have been able to help John more with getting his family to safety.

Alternative Perspectives: Mods and Fan Theories

While the base game prevents you from saving Arthur, the modding community has explored alternative scenarios. Mods can alter the game to remove Arthur’s illness or allow him to survive the final encounter with Micah. This creates a unique experience that would otherwise be impossible. These offer an intriguing, albeit non-canon, glimpse into what might have been.

It’s important to remember that these mods are not part of the official game and can alter the intended gameplay experience.

The Broader Impact of Narrative Choices

Red Dead Redemption 2’s narrative is a masterclass in storytelling, using Arthur’s inevitable demise to explore themes of mortality, redemption, and the end of the Wild West. The game offers important lessons about the human condition and the challenges that people face. By preventing the player from altering key events, the game reinforces the power of fate and the importance of embracing one’s destiny.

Conclusion: Accepting the Inevitable

Arthur Morgan’s journey in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a tragic one, but it’s precisely this tragedy that makes the game so memorable. While you can’t save Arthur from his fate, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a meaningful life, even in the face of inevitable death.

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