Does John Inherit Arthur’s Guns in Red Dead Redemption 2? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether John Marston inherits Arthur Morgan’s guns in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a resounding yes. Upon completing a few missions in the epilogue, John receives Arthur’s outfits, clothes, and, crucially, his weapons. This transfer of inventory ensures that players aren’t left starting from scratch after the narrative transition, allowing them to continue their adventures with a familiar arsenal.

Understanding the Inheritance System

The transfer of items from Arthur to John is a deliberate design choice by Rockstar Games, intended to provide a seamless transition for players moving into the epilogue. This inheritance isn’t limited to weapons; it extends to other essential items and resources that Arthur accumulated throughout his journey. The game designers wanted to ensure that the player feels a continued sense of progression, despite the change in protagonist.

The Full Scope of John’s Inheritance

Beyond Guns: What Else Does John Get?

Besides Arthur’s firearms, John also receives:

• Arthur’s Outfits and Clothing: All of Arthur’s painstakingly collected outfits and clothing items become available for John to wear and customize.

• Arthur’s Money: John inherits Arthur’s money, allowing players to continue upgrading their gear and supplies. Spending all the money before the epilogue on clothes and guns ensures it gets inherited too.

• Arthur’s Satchel: This contains a plethora of valuable items, consumables, and resources collected throughout the game.

• Arthur’s Journal: A deeply personal and insightful record of Arthur’s thoughts, experiences, and drawings, providing further depth to the game’s narrative. Arthur’s journal is a brilliant part of the Red Dead 2 game for those who care to delve into Arthur’s thoughts.

What John Doesn’t Inherit

While John inherits a significant portion of Arthur’s possessions, there are some notable exceptions:

• Arthur’s Horses: Sadly, the bond you formed with Arthur’s horses, including fan-favorite Buell, doesn’t transfer. All horses are lost when Arthur dies.

• Camp Upgrades: The improvements made to the Van der Linde gang’s camp do not directly transfer to John, as the gang disbands after Arthur’s death.

FAQs: Expanding Your Knowledge of RDR2’s Inheritance

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the inheritance system in Red Dead Redemption 2, offering a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics and narrative:

1. Will I lose all my progress when Arthur dies?

No, you won’t lose all your progress. While you transition to playing as John Marston, you retain many of Arthur’s items, including weapons, outfits, and money, as discussed. A lot carries over, and the experience is intended to be seamless.

2. What happens to Arthur’s camp after his death?

After Arthur’s death, the Van der Linde gang disbands, and the camp is no longer active. The remaining members scatter, each seeking their own path.

3. Can I find Dutch’s hidden money as John?

Yes, according to the article, Dutch’s chest remains in Beaver Hollow if you chose the honorable option. If you go back as John, if you chose to go with John, Dutch’s chest will still be under the wagon in Beaver Hollow, untouched.

4. Does John inherit Arthur’s stabled horses?

Unfortunately not. When Arthur dies, he will lose all horses that he owned, even Buell.

5. Is there a secret ending where Arthur survives?

No, unfortunately, there is no way to prevent Arthur’s death. It is a fixed part of the game’s narrative. Arthur’s death in Red Dead Redemption 2 shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise.

6. Can John visit Arthur’s grave?

Yes, John can visit Arthur’s grave. When you go to Arthur’s grave, his spirit animal will be there, and there will be a different sort of looking grave based off of the path you chose.

7. Why does Dutch shoot Micah?

Dutch shoots Micah because he owes that to Arthur. Dutch gains his redemption by shooting the man responsible for the downfall of his gang and the death of his surrogate son.

8. Why does Dutch betray Arthur?

Because he’s already been manipulated by Micah, Dutch believes it’s what needs done. Because Arthur is, as Sean puts it, a doubter. Arthur doubts everything, every plan, every idea, every person, because that’s simply who he is.

9. Why can’t John swim?

Canonically, John Marston just never learned how to swim. This explains why something as simple as jumping in a lake can be deadly for John in Red Dead Redemption 2.

10. Does Arthur get his stuff back after Guarma?

Yes, you get your items and weapons back when you return to the mainland.

11. Can you get the Blackwater money as John?

Yes. When you do the mission “American Venom,” the last story mission in the game, John comes across a chest with the Blackwater money, and his share of the cash is $20,000 – which is plenty enough.

12. What can Arthur do that John can’t?

Arthur can decorate and improve the camp, herd sheep, show growth as a character, hum while riding his horse, pull off a long beard, get sick, maintain the same eye color, and swim.

13. Who kills Arthur Morgan?

The vengeful Micah soon ambushes him, and Dutch intervenes. Arthur convinces Dutch to abandon Micah and leave. If the player has high honor, Arthur succumbs to his injuries and disease, dying peacefully while watching the sunrise; with low honor, Micah executes him.

14. Why does Dutch care about Micah so much?

Dutch felt like he owed Micah something in particular after Micah saved his life that fateful day.

15. Does John have a happy ending in RDR2?

John successfully starts afresh with Uncle, Abigail, and Jack, players who know how Red Dead Redemption pans out know John’s end wasn’t so happy after all.

Delving Deeper into Game Mechanics and Story

The transfer of items from Arthur to John is a testament to the thoughtful design of Red Dead Redemption 2. It ensures that the player’s efforts throughout the game are rewarded and that the transition to the epilogue feels natural and engaging. Understanding these mechanics can enhance your gameplay experience and deepen your appreciation for the game’s intricate narrative.

Furthermore, the choices you make as Arthur, such as your honor level and how you interact with other characters, can subtly influence the epilogue. Paying attention to these details adds another layer of depth to the gameplay experience. These nuanced elements of storytelling and game design are topics often explored within the Games Learning Society, where the intersection of games, learning, and culture is examined in detail. You can explore more about these kinds of discussions at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, John Marston does indeed inherit Arthur Morgan’s guns, along with a host of other valuable items. This inheritance system provides a satisfying continuation of the gameplay experience and allows players to step into John’s boots with a sense of familiarity and preparedness. While some things are lost, the overall transfer ensures that the epilogue remains engaging and rewarding.

This knowledge, combined with an understanding of the other nuances of RDR2’s inheritance system, will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the game’s world and continue the adventure with John Marston. Happy trails, and may your aim be true!