Is Horse Death Permanent in Red Dead Redemption 2? The Ultimate Guide
The Wild West is a dangerous place, and in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), that danger extends to your trusty steed. So, let’s address the question on every outlaw’s mind: Is horse death permanent in RDR2?
The short answer is: yes, with a few exceptions. If your horse dies in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode, it is permanently gone. This means you’ll need to bond with a new horse and start anew. This feature adds a significant layer of realism and emotional weight to the game, making you truly care for your equine companion. This is what Phil Hooker, the director of technology at Rockstar Games, confirmed: once horses die in-game, they will remain dead forever.
However, there’s a slight catch in Red Dead Online (RDO). While a fallen horse requires a visit to the stable to be returned, you do not permanently lose your horse. The stable will send you another or if you don’t own other horses you get the scrawny nag. You never lose any of your horses permanently. This makes the consequences of horse death less severe in the online multiplayer mode.
Understanding Horse Death in RDR2
The permanence of horse death in the single-player campaign is a design choice that profoundly impacts player experience. Horses aren’t just vehicles; they’re companions. You feed them, brush them, and rely on them in tense situations. Losing a horse you’ve painstakingly bonded with is a genuinely impactful event.
Factors leading to horse death are varied. Combat, accidents, falls from great heights, or even predator attacks can all spell doom for your four-legged friend. This forces players to be cautious and considerate of their horse’s well-being.
In this game, a horse revive tonic can save the day if you act quickly. This tonic will bring your horse back from the brink if you administer it before it’s truly gone. However, once the horse is officially deceased, that’s it.
How to Prevent Horse Death
Prevention is always better than cure, especially when resurrection isn’t an option. Here’s how to keep your horses alive and kicking in RDR2:
- Pay Attention to Horse Health: Keep an eye on your horse’s health and stamina cores, represented by the icons in the lower-left corner of the screen. Keep them fed and rested.
- Invest in Horse Care: Purchase horse food and tonics from stables or general stores to maintain their condition.
- Be Mindful During Combat: Try to keep your horse out of the line of fire. Use cover and dismount when necessary.
- Avoid Risky Maneuvers: Steer clear of steep cliffs and treacherous terrain that could lead to accidents.
- Bond with Your Horse: A higher bonding level will increase your horse’s health and stamina, making it more resilient.
- Whistling: Pretty much right after it dies, you can whistle and it will respawn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horse Death in RDR2
1. Can I revive a dead horse in RDR2?
No, once a horse is officially dead in story mode, it cannot be revived. The horse revive tonic only works while the horse is downed but not yet deceased. In Red Dead Online, your horse will be available back at the stables.
2. Are horses gone forever when they die in RDR2?
In story mode, yes. A dead horse is permanently gone. In Red Dead Online, your horse respawns at the stable and the stable sends you another (or if you don’t own other horses you get the scrawny nag).
3. What happens to Arthur’s horses after he dies?
Unfortunately, when Arthur dies in story mode, he will lose all horses that he owned.
4. Can I get Buell back after Arthur dies?
No, you cannot get Buell, the horse acquired from Hamish Sinclair, after Arthur’s death.
5. What horse dies at the end of RDR2?
At the end of Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode, whatever horse Arthur is currently riding will die during the final mission.
6. Is there any way to save my horse from dying in the final mission?
No, the death of Arthur’s horse during the final mission is a fixed event in the game’s narrative.
7. Can I get the White Arabian back if it dies?
Yes, the White Arabian does respawn in the same location after a few in-game days.
8. What is the fastest horse in RDR2?
The Arabian is generally considered one of the fastest horses in RDR2. Being the fastest horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, the Rose Gray Bay Arabian will naturally cost Arthur a pretty penny. It can be purchased for $1,250 at the Blackwater Stable, making it the priciest option in the entire game.
9. How do I find the White Arabian horse again?
The White Arabian Horse can only be found in one location, an area that the game never guides you to after the prologue. Deep within the North-Western Grizzlies, the White Arabian dwells. It never spawns in a herd either, so it will always be by itself.
10. What is the rarest horse in RDR2 story mode?
The Few-Spotted Appaloosa is one of the rarest horses in the game.
11. Do horses die permanently in RDO?
No, in Red Dead Online, if your horse dies, you can retrieve it from the stable, or the stable sends you another (or if you don’t own other horses you get the scrawny nag). You never lose any of your horses permanently.
12. How do you revive a horse in RDR2 without a horse reviver?
There’s a trick where you can run it over with another horse (no joke) and try to hit its neck. This will revive it and is cheaper and easier than the use of a horse reviver!
13. Why did my horse turn into a Tennessee Walker in RDR2?
The default horse in the game is a Tennessee Walker. If you never transfered the saddle, the Tennessee Walker will remain your main horse and the game switched you back to it due to being the main horse. If this is the case, your war horse can be found at the stable or camp.
14. What is the best saddle in RDR2?
The Panther Trail Saddle is widely considered one of the best due to its significant reduction in core stamina drain. Core Stamina Drain: -26%
15. What is the best endgame horse in RDR2?
The Arabian and the Missouri Fox Trotter are excellent choices for endgame horses due to their superior stats. The Missouri Fox Trotter is both a race- and workhorse.
The Impact of Horse Death on Gameplay
The permanence of horse death contributes to RDR2’s immersive experience. It encourages players to form meaningful bonds with their horses and approach the game with a sense of caution and responsibility. This realism and emotional investment sets RDR2 apart from many other open-world games.
The impact of game design and narrative on player behavior and emotional investment is something researched and discussed within the Games Learning Society. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
While the death of a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a heartbreaking experience, it’s an integral part of the game’s narrative and realism. Treat your equine companion with care, and hopefully, you can avoid losing your trusted steed on the harsh trails of the Wild West.