How to Keep Arthur Morgan’s Money in Red Dead Redemption 2

So, you’re nearing the end of Arthur Morgan’s journey in Red Dead Redemption 2 and the looming question hangs heavy: how do you keep Arthur’s hard-earned cash from vanishing into thin air after his untimely demise? The short answer is, officially, you can’t keep all of it. The game is designed to reset John Marston’s finances to better align with the story’s narrative. However, there are a couple of exploits you can use to retain some, or potentially, a substantial amount, of Arthur’s wealth. Let’s dive into the details.

The Aberdeen Pig Farm Exploit: Your Best (and Only Reliable) Bet

This is the most commonly known and arguably the most reliable method to transfer a significant portion of Arthur’s money to John. It involves the Aberdeen Pig Farm, a location west of Annesburg.

Here’s how to execute this exploit:

1. Accumulate Funds: Before beginning the mission “Our Best Selves” (the second to last mission in Chapter 6), amass as much cash as possible as Arthur. Sell valuables, complete treasure hunts, finish side missions – squeeze every last dollar you can get.
2. Visit the Aberdeen Pig Farm: Head to the Aberdeen Pig Farm and interact with Bray and Tammy Aberdeen. They’ll invite you in for dinner, ply you with alcohol, and eventually rob you of all your money.
3. Crucially: DO NOT RETURN AS ARTHUR. This is the key. Progress through the remaining story missions until you take control of John Marston in the Epilogue.
4. Revisit the Aberdeen Pig Farm as John: Once you’re playing as John, return to the Aberdeen Pig Farm. Deal with the Aberdeen siblings (you’ll likely want to seek revenge for robbing Arthur).
5. Retrieve Your Money: Inside their house, you’ll find a painting. Behind it is a safe containing all the money Arthur had on him when they robbed him.

Why does this work? The game remembers the amount of money Arthur had when he was robbed at the Aberdeen Pig Farm. It doesn’t reset this amount when the story transitions to John. Thus, John can retrieve Arthur’s lost fortune.

Important Considerations:

• This exploit only saves the cash Arthur had on hand. Gold bars, jewelry, and other valuables are not recoverable.
• The amount you retrieve depends entirely on how much money Arthur had when he was robbed. The more you have, the more John gets.
• Ensure you do this before completing significant portions of the Epilogue, as it can impact your perceived need for money as John.

Addressing Other Methods and Misconceptions

While the Aberdeen Pig Farm exploit is the most reliable, there are other ideas floating around. These are generally inaccurate or unreliable:

• Stashing Money in Camp: This doesn’t work. Money left in the camp donation box disappears when Arthur dies.
• Using Companion Activities: Some suggest triggering companion activities that award money shortly before Arthur’s death. This might provide a small boost to John’s initial funds, but it’s negligible compared to the Aberdeen exploit.
• Focusing on Treasure Hunts in the Epilogue: While not directly transferring Arthur’s money, focusing on treasure hunts as John can rapidly increase his wealth.

Is it Worth It?

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to exploit the game to retain Arthur’s money is a personal decision. Some players feel it breaks the narrative flow, while others see it as a way to honor Arthur’s efforts and provide John with a more comfortable start. The narrative consequences are minimal, so it is really up to the player.

Games Learning Society

The narrative design choices in Red Dead Redemption 2 are interesting from the perspective of game-based learning and narrative engagement. The deliberate choice to limit the transfer of resources between characters impacts how the player understands and interacts with both Arthur and John. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the intersection of games and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does money carry over from Arthur to John in Red Dead Redemption 2?

No, generally, money does not carry over directly from Arthur to John. The only way to transfer a lump sum of money is via the Aberdeen Pig Farm exploit. The game intentionally resets John’s finances to emphasize his initial struggles in the Epilogue.

2. Do weapons carry over from Arthur to John?

Yes, weapons carry over from Arthur to John. You will automatically receive most of Arthur’s weapons at the beginning of the Epilogue.

3. Do outfits and clothing carry over from Arthur to John?

Yes, outfits and clothing carry over. After completing a few missions in the Epilogue, you will have access to Arthur’s wardrobe.

4. What about gold bars and other valuables – do they transfer?

No, gold bars, jewelry, and other valuables do not transfer to John (unless sold for cash that is later saved using the Aberdeen Pig Farm exploit).

5. What happens to Arthur’s horse?

Unfortunately, Arthur’s horses do not transfer to John. They are lost when the story transitions to the Epilogue. This includes any bonded horses you have.

6. Can I play as Arthur after he dies?

No, you cannot continue playing as Arthur after the story’s ending unless you reload a previous save from before the end of Chapter 6.

7. Is there a way to keep Arthur alive?

No, there is no way to prevent Arthur’s death. It is a fixed part of the storyline.

8. What side missions can John complete after Arthur’s death?

John can complete almost all of the Stranger Missions that Arthur was undertaking, with the notable exception of those specifically related to Mary Linton.

9. What about recipes and challenges – do they carry over?

Yes, character progress such as known recipes and completed challenges carry over into the Epilogue.

10. Can John find Dutch’s hidden money?

Yes, John eventually finds a stash of money during the mission “American Venom,” the final mission in the game. This is separate from the Aberdeen Pig Farm exploit.

11. Is there a way to get rich as John in the Epilogue?

Yes, there are numerous ways to get rich as John:

• Complete missions and story objectives.
• Hunt for treasure using treasure maps.
• Rob trains and banks.
• Complete bounty hunter missions.
• Locate hidden businesses.
• Gamble (with caution!).

12. Can John get the White Arabian horse after Arthur dies?

Yes, John can recapture the White Arabian horse at Lake Isabella. It respawns after Arthur’s death.

13. Why did Dutch ultimately shoot Micah?

Dutch shot Micah because he realized Micah’s betrayal was responsible for the downfall of the gang and Arthur’s death. It was an act of belated redemption.

14. Does honor level carry over from Arthur to John?

Yes, your honor level at the end of Arthur’s story has an impact on the epilogue and events with John. This includes discounts at stores.

15. Does Arthur get his items back after Guarma?

Yes, Arthur gets his items back after Guarma. The game automatically restores your inventory upon returning to the mainland.