Can You Save Buell for John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2? A Definitive Guide
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The short answer is: yes, it’s possible to have John Marston acquire Buell, the beloved horse of Hamish Sinclair, but it requires specific actions and forethought during your playthrough. You can’t transfer Arthur’s Buell, but John can get his own. This article will provide a comprehensive breakdown of how to make this happen and delve into the nuances surrounding Buell, Hamish Sinclair, and their impact on the story.
Understanding the Buell Dilemma
Buell is more than just a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2; he represents a crucial connection between Arthur Morgan (or potentially John Marston) and Hamish Sinclair. Hamish’s side missions are some of the most enjoyable and wholesome encounters in the game, and Buell becomes a symbol of that bond. The game’s narrative structure and the transition from Arthur to John, however, throws a wrench into the equation. The game mechanics naturally removes all of Arthur’s owned horses when the epilogue begins.
The core issue boils down to this: if Arthur completes all of Hamish Sinclair’s missions and receives Buell, the horse is lost when the player transitions to playing as John Marston after Arthur’s inevitable demise. This is because the game resets Arthur’s owned horses to a default set. Many players find this frustrating, given the emotional connection they develop with Buell.
The Solution: Veteran IV and John Marston
The key to getting Buell for John is deliberately leaving the final Hamish Sinclair mission, “The Veteran IV,” unfinished during Arthur’s playthrough. This mission is the one where Hamish eventually passes away and bequeaths Buell to the player.
Here’s the breakdown of the process:
- Play through the Hamish Sinclair missions (The Veteran I, II, and III) as Arthur. Enjoy the interactions and build that relationship. You can find Hamish near O’Creagh’s Run in the northeastern part of the map. These earlier missions involve fishing and hunting, and are a great bonding experience.
- Specifically, do not complete The Veteran IV as Arthur. Leave the boar hunt with Hamish Sinclair and Hamish’s death for John Marston.
- Progress through the main story until you reach the Epilogue and begin playing as John Marston.
- As John, revisit O’Creagh’s Run and trigger “The Veteran IV” mission. Hamish will now interact with John, and the final boar hunt will proceed as normal.
- Complete the mission. After Hamish’s passing, John Marston will inherit Buell. Buell is now permanently available for John to ride and care for.
Important Considerations
- Honor: Choosing to complete the mission as John doesn’t significantly impact your honor rating. Following Hamish’s dying wish and taking care of Buell will provide a boost to your honor, whether completed as Arthur or John. Selling Buell is a dishonorable act no matter which character does it.
- The Experience: While Arthur players will miss out on completing this mission, this is the only way to guarantee John will get Buell. Given the sentimental nature of the game, many players find this is a worthwhile sacrifice.
- Glitch Alternatives: There are glitches that players have discovered in the game in which Arthur can get the Buell early.
- Missed opportunity: There are those that choose to have Arthur and John both complete The Veteran mission line to obtain their own Buell. Arthur can complete The Veteran missions up until the final boar hunt. Arthur will have his own Buell, and John will have his own Buell. However, this has to be done before completing the main storyline in chapter 6.
Why is This Method Important?
This method allows players to continue their relationship with Buell and extend a piece of Arthur’s world into John’s narrative. It can be seen as a subtle but meaningful way to carry on Arthur’s legacy. For many, riding across the plains as John with Buell is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the connections forged throughout the game.
Moreover, this highlights the depth and player agency within Red Dead Redemption 2. The game incentivizes strategic thinking, knowing there are sacrifices to be made in order for John to inherit Buell. This is just one of the many examples of how players can shape their experience by making choices that alter the game’s ending.
The Significance of Buell
Buell isn’t just a horse; he is a symbol of a valuable relationship, kindness, and loyalty. He serves as a constant reminder of Hamish, a character whose encounters are among the most positive and memorable in the game. Whether it’s Arthur or John riding Buell, the horse represents the enduring bond that can exist even in the harsh world of Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Redemption 2 and Story-Driven Games
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prime example of how narrative depth and player choice can elevate a video game. The game encourages emotional investment and then challenges players with difficult decisions. These aspects are critically important in engaging players with storytelling and allowing them to form deep attachments with the characters and world.
To learn more about the design elements that make Red Dead Redemption 2 such a compelling experience and how games are used for learning and education, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society website. Learn more about how GamesLearningSociety.org fosters innovative research in this exciting field.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Buell, Hamish Sinclair, and saving Buell for John Marston:
1. Can I save Hamish Sinclair?
No, unfortunately, Hamish Sinclair’s death is a scripted event in Red Dead Redemption 2, and there is no way to prevent it, regardless of your actions during “The Veteran IV” mission.
2. Can Arthur keep Buell and then transfer him to John?
No, Arthur cannot keep Buell and transfer him to John through normal gameplay mechanics. When the player transitions to John Marston during the Epilogue, all of Arthur’s previously owned horses are lost.
3. What happens if I complete all the Hamish missions as Arthur?
If you complete all the Hamish Sinclair missions as Arthur, including “The Veteran IV,” Arthur will own Buell. However, Buell will be lost during the transition to John Marston’s gameplay.
4. Can John get Buell without doing any of the Hamish missions as Arthur?
Yes, John can acquire Buell by leaving “The Veteran IV” incomplete when playing as Arthur and then completing it as John.
5. Is Buell a good horse in terms of stats?
Buell is a Dutch Warmblood, known for his bravery. While his stats might not be the absolute highest in the game, many players prize him for his unique appearance, temperament, and the sentimental value associated with Hamish Sinclair.
6. What happens if Buell dies?
If Buell dies, he is permanently gone from the game, meaning you cannot repurchase or find him again.
7. Can I sell Buell?
Yes, you can sell Buell at a horse fence or stable. However, doing so will result in a loss of honor, as it goes against Hamish’s dying wish for the player to take care of the horse.
8. What are the requirements to trigger the Hamish Sinclair missions?
There are no specific requirements to trigger the Hamish Sinclair missions, other than progressing through the main story to a certain point. He can be found at O’Creagh’s Run, located to the northeast of Annesburg in the Grizzlies East region of Ambarino.
9. Does Buell’s breed matter?
Yes, Buell is a Dutch Warmblood, known for its all-around capabilities. His breed contributes to his unique look, personality, and how he handles different terrains and situations.
10. Can I bond with Buell as John just like I could as Arthur?
Yes, you can fully bond with Buell when playing as John Marston. You can increase your bonding level with Buell in the same way as with any other horse, by riding, feeding, and caring for him.
11. Is there any way to get Arthur’s money as John?
There is a method to get Arthur’s money for John using the Aberdeen Pig Farm side mission. When Chapter 6 starts, sell everything, do the first part of Aberdeen Pig Farm, and finish the story. However, it is crucial to note that this method is very situational and might not work perfectly for everyone.
12. What are the honor consequences of leaving Buell after Hamish dies?
Leaving Buell after Hamish dies will typically not incur an honor penalty. Mounting Buell increases your honor, whereas selling him decreases your honor.
13. Can I find other unique horses in the game?
Yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 features a variety of unique and rare horses that can be found and tamed in the wild, purchased from stables, or acquired through specific missions. Some are better than others, but they all give you unique benefits.
14. How does the passage of time affect Buell’s health?
Like all horses in Red Dead Redemption 2, Buell’s health and stamina need to be maintained by feeding him regularly and ensuring he is properly cared for. Neglecting his needs will impact his performance.
15. What happens to Buell if I don’t take him after Hamish’s death?
If you choose not to take Buell after Hamish’s death, he will simply remain at the location where Hamish passed away. However, he will eventually disappear from the game world and can no longer be obtained.