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Does John Get to Keep Arthur’s Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2?

The short answer, and perhaps the most heartbreaking for many players, is no, John Marston does not keep Arthur Morgan’s horses in Red Dead Redemption 2. This is a significant loss that players face when transitioning from the main game to the epilogue, marking a clear break between the two playable characters and their experiences within the game world. All the bonds you’ve forged, the upgrades you’ve purchased, and the unique horses you’ve painstakingly acquired are lost when Arthur dies.

This loss is a crucial element in the narrative, underscoring the finality of Arthur’s fate and forcing players to adapt to a new reality as John. While it may be disappointing, understanding the mechanics behind this decision and what John does retain can help players prepare for the epilogue and still enjoy the extensive gameplay Red Dead Redemption 2 has to offer.

The Heartbreaking Truth About Arthur’s Horses

Upon Arthur’s death and the start of the epilogue, all of Arthur’s horses, regardless of their breed, bonding level, or whether they were stabled or not, are permanently gone. This includes special and unique horses like Buell, given to Arthur by Hamish Sinclair. This fact has led to many players strategizing ways to keep Buell, but unfortunately, unless you complete Hamish’s last mission as John in the epilogue, Buell is lost.

Why this Loss is Important

This loss of horses, along with other items like Arthur’s money, is not just a gameplay mechanic; it’s a narrative device. It emphasizes the end of Arthur’s journey and the beginning of John’s. The game forces players to experience loss and start anew, just like John has to rebuild his life. It also adds a layer of realism; things don’t simply transfer seamlessly between characters in the real world, and RDR2 strives for realism. The loss of horses is a poignant reminder of the lives that Arthur touched and the bonds that were broken.

What John Does Keep

Despite the significant loss of horses, John is not left completely empty-handed. Here’s what he does retain from Arthur’s possessions:

Weapons

All of Arthur’s weapons are passed down to John. While they aren’t immediately available at the start of the epilogue, you will quickly regain them after completing a few initial missions. This includes the custom weapons, and the weapons collected along the main story. This ensures John has all the tools he needs to survive.

Outfits and Clothing

John receives all of Arthur’s outfits and clothing, allowing you to maintain the style and look you prefer. Much like the weapons, these will become available after a few introductory epilogue missions. The inclusion of outfits allows John to maintain a visual connection to Arthur’s time.

Money and Assets

While Arthur’s direct cash is lost, John receives $20,000 at the end of the epilogue. This helps kick-start your financial life in the game. Also, any money you spend on things like clothing and guns before Arthur dies will be inherited too. Moreover, while you don’t find Arthur’s literal money, John eventually finds a substantial share of the Blackwater money during the “American Venom” mission.

Progress

John retains any progress that was made in certain areas such as the map discovery, collectables, and challenges that had been completed as Arthur. You can still continue to explore, hunt, and complete side quests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify what happens with Arthur’s possessions, and specifically the horses, when transitioning to John:

Can you keep Buell after Arthur dies? Unfortunately, no. Unless you complete the last part of Hamish’s mission as John in the epilogue, Buell will be lost. If completed as Arthur, Buell is gone with all other owned horses.
Do any stabled horses transfer to John? No, all stabled horses owned by Arthur are lost at his death, including those you have paid for.
Does John inherit Arthur’s money? Arthur’s direct cash is not passed to John. However, John receives $20,000 at the end of the epilogue, and will find additional money. Also any money you spent on things like clothing and guns will be inherited as well.
What happens to Arthur’s honor ranking when John takes over? Arthur’s honor ranking is reset when switching to John. This means you will have to build up John’s honor independently.
Do you lose all provisions, tonics, ingredients, and materials when Arthur dies? Yes, all of these items are lost when the game transitions to John, making resource management in the epilogue a new challenge.
Does the White Arabian horse respawn if it dies? Yes, the White Arabian will respawn if it dies. You can get it again as either Arthur or John.
Can you find Dutch’s money as John? Yes, if you go back to Beaver Hollow, Dutch’s chest will be there untouched. However, you cannot interact with it.
How old is John Marston when Arthur dies? John is around 34 years old when Arthur dies. In the first game, he was 38 at the time of his death.
How many years after Arthur’s death is the epilogue set? The epilogue takes place approximately eight years after Arthur’s death.
Does John get Arthur’s outfits and clothes? Yes, John receives all of Arthur’s outfits and clothing after a few epilogue missions.
What weapons does John keep from Arthur? John keeps all of Arthur’s weapons and custom weapons. He gets them back after a few introductory missions in the epilogue.
Is it worth playing RDR2 after the epilogue? Absolutely, the epilogue offers a huge amount of content, allowing you to continue exploring, doing side missions, and hunting as John. There’s plenty to do even after the main story.
Can you get the Blackwater money as John? Yes, John comes across a chest with the Blackwater money during the mission “American Venom,” and his share is $20,000.
Why does Dutch help John and Sadie kill Micah? Dutch’s actions are driven by his desire for redemption and to correct his past mistakes. He realizes Micah betrayed them.
Where does Dutch go after he shoots Micah? Dutch simply walks away after the confrontation with Micah in the mountains and is not seen again in this game.

Conclusion

The loss of Arthur’s horses is a hard pill to swallow for many players, but it’s a crucial narrative and gameplay choice that emphasizes the changing world and the new start for John Marston. While John does not keep Arthur’s horses, he gets to hold onto much of what Arthur worked for. By understanding what is kept and what is lost, players can better prepare for the epilogue and continue enjoying everything that Red Dead Redemption 2 has to offer.

Does John get to keep Arthur’s horses?