Can You Cheat Fate? Exploring Arthur Morgan’s Inevitable Tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2
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The short, sharp answer is a resounding no. You cannot skip Arthur Morgan getting tuberculosis (TB) in Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a fixed, immutable part of the narrative, woven inextricably into the game’s story and Arthur’s character arc. No matter how skilled you are, how many alternative choices you make, or what strategies you try, Arthur will contract TB after encountering Thomas Downes during a debt collection mission. It’s a narrative death sentence meticulously crafted by Rockstar Games.
Why Arthur’s TB is Unavoidable
Rockstar Games designed Red Dead Redemption 2 as a character study, exploring themes of mortality, redemption, and the fading of the Wild West. Arthur’s illness is the catalyst for his personal growth and transformation. Removing it would fundamentally alter the story’s core message and the impact of Arthur’s journey.
The game mechanics themselves reinforce this inevitability. The coughing animations are triggered even if you attempt to complete the “Money Lending and Other Sins” mission out of sequence or while wearing a mask. The game simply ensures that the critical scene where Arthur is infected with TB from Thomas Downes happens. Skipping the debt collection mission is impossible as it is essential for the story to progress. This reinforces the fact that Arthur’s sickness is a critical plot point that cannot be avoided.
The Illusion of Choice
Red Dead Redemption 2 masterfully provides players with the illusion of choice. You can make moral decisions that affect your honor, engage in a vast open world, and customize Arthur’s appearance. However, the central storyline, particularly Arthur’s fate, remains fixed. This can be frustrating for some players, especially those who become deeply attached to Arthur. But this design choice underscores the game’s narrative purpose: to tell a specific story about a specific character facing a specific destiny.
Coping With Arthur’s Illness
While you can’t cure or avoid Arthur’s TB, you can manage its effects. Understanding how the illness impacts gameplay allows you to make informed decisions and enhance Arthur’s quality of life. You’ll notice Arthur’s core stats drain more quickly after he’s diagnosed. He will also gain limited benefits from eating and drinking. To counter these effects, focus on:
- Resting Regularly: Ensure Arthur gets plenty of sleep to replenish his cores.
- Eating Quality Food: Choose nutritious meals to maximize their benefits.
- Using Tonics: Employ tonics to temporarily boost your health, stamina, and Dead Eye.
- Focusing on Honor: Maintaining high honor results in benefits that can improve Arthur’s well-being.
Essentially, the game wants you to feel Arthur’s decline. This forces you to confront his mortality and, ideally, leads to more thoughtful and compassionate choices as the game progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Arthur’s Tuberculosis
Here are some frequently asked questions about Arthur Morgan’s tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2, providing more clarity and insight into this key plot point:
1. How long does it take for Arthur to show symptoms of TB?
The game suggests an incubation period of approximately three months. From the “Money Lending and Other Sins” mission until the beginning of Chapter 5, when Arthur’s symptoms become noticeable, roughly that much time passes.
2. Does Arthur getting TB affect gameplay?
Yes. Once Arthur contracts TB, his core drain speed increases by 20%. He also experiences reduced benefits from consuming food and drinks. This means you’ll need to pay closer attention to his needs and manage his resources more carefully.
3. Is there any way to cure Arthur’s TB in RDR2?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a terminal illness that Arthur will battle until the end of his story.
4. Can I prevent Arthur from visiting Thomas Downes?
No. The “Money Lending and Other Sins” mission involving Thomas Downes is a mandatory story mission. You cannot progress in the game without completing it, and the encounter is unavoidable.
5. Can I kill Thomas Downes to prevent the infection?
No. The game will not allow you to kill Thomas Downes before the infection scene plays out. Even if you attempt to shoot him, the game will prevent it to ensure the story progresses as intended.
6. What happens if I don’t visit Thomas Downes?
You cannot avoid visiting Thomas Downes. It is essential for the storyline.
7. How long is Red Dead Redemption 2 after Arthur gets sick?
A reasonable estimate for the time Arthur is sick is around 3-6 months in in-game time. This includes the events that precede Arthur’s diagnosis.
8. Did anyone else in the gang contract TB from Arthur?
This is a major point of contention among players. For the sake of the narrative, only Arthur contracts TB. It is a significant, but perhaps necessary, plot contrivance to avoid complicating the story further.
9. Did Dutch know Arthur was sick?
The game leaves this somewhat ambiguous. Dutch likely notices Arthur’s deteriorating health, but his increasingly erratic behavior and obsession with his plans prevent him from addressing it.
10. Does Arthur lose weight when he’s sick?
Yes, Arthur will progressively lose weight as the disease progresses. The game subtly reflects his decline through his physical appearance and constant coughing.
11. What is the last mission you can free roam as Arthur?
The last time you can free roam as Arthur is after the mission “My Last Boy.” The next mission, “Our Best Selves,” will automatically go into the final mission “Red Dead Redemption” with no stopping point.
12. Why is Hosea coughing in RDR2?
Hosea Matthews suffered from an unspecified lung disease throughout the game, leading to frequent coughing. This condition is unrelated to Arthur’s TB.
13. Does John get Arthur’s money after he dies?
When you transition to John Marston in the epilogue, you retrieve Arthur’s guns and clothing, but not his money. This narrative choice reflects John’s struggles and adds to the overall story of redemption.
14. What can I do to improve Arthur’s life while he’s sick?
Focus on completing honor-based missions and activities to improve Arthur’s karma. Having high honor will grant him advantages that make the game more accessible.
15. Why is Arthur’s TB important to the story?
Arthur’s tuberculosis is essential for his character development. It forces him to confront his mortality, re-evaluate his life choices, and ultimately seek redemption. It also serves as a metaphor for the decline of the Wild West and the changing times. It transforms him from an outlaw to someone seeking redemption, making the sacrifices he makes more impactful.
Understanding the Message
While the inability to save Arthur from TB can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a story about fate, redemption, and the consequences of one’s actions. Arthur’s illness is a powerful narrative device that drives his character arc and underscores the game’s themes. Embrace the story, and let it be the driving factor that affects the decisions that your version of Arthur will make.
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Arthur’s fate is fixed, but his journey and your choices along the way are what truly matter.