Red Dead Redemption 2: To Sell or Not to Sell – A Legendary Pelt Dilemma

The question burning in every Red Dead Redemption 2 player’s mind upon downing their first Legendary Animal: Should I sell or keep the legendary pelt? The answer, unequivocally, is to SELL it to the Trapper. Your primary goal in obtaining legendary pelts is to unlock unique crafting recipes at the Trapper. Selling him the pelt is the only way to make these special items accessible.

The Trapper: Your Legendary Pelt Destination

The Trapper is a specialized vendor in Red Dead Redemption 2 who uses legendary animal pelts to craft unique outfits and gear. He has several locations scattered across the map, so finding him might require some exploring, but it is well worth the trouble. Remember, the Trapper only uses legendary pelts for his unique crafting recipes. All others, like perfect or good pelts, can also be sold or donated elsewhere.

Why Sell to the Trapper?

The Trapper isn’t just a merchant; he’s a gateway to some of the game’s most distinctive and desirable items. Here’s why selling to him is crucial:

• Unlocking Crafting Recipes: The sole purpose of legendary pelts is to unlock unique crafting recipes at the Trapper. Once you sell him a pelt, the corresponding items will appear in his inventory for crafting.
• No Storage Necessary: You don’t need to physically hold onto the pelt after selling it. The Trapper magically retains the knowledge and material required for crafting once you’ve completed the sale.
• Automatic Pelt Retrieval: If you happen to lose a legendary pelt (by, say, having your horse tragically fall off a cliff), don’t panic! The game automatically transfers the pelt to the Trapper. You’ll miss out on the initial selling price, but you won’t lose the ability to craft the associated items.
• Exclusive Items: Many of the items crafted from legendary pelts are unique, providing visual flair and, in some cases, practical advantages like protection from the elements.
• No Duplicate Hunts: Once you’ve killed a legendary animal, it won’t respawn. So, rest assured that whatever you do with the pelt, you won’t have another chance to get it again. Every legendary pelt will make all the clothing items from that animal available.

What about Perfect Pelts and Other Materials?

While legendary pelts are exclusively for the Trapper, you have more options with other types of animal products:

• Perfect Pelts: These can be sold to the Trapper, butchers, or general stores. They can also be donated to Pearson at the camp to improve its resources. If Pearson needs perfect pelts for satchel upgrades, consider donating them to the camp.
• Animal Carcasses: If you don’t plan on skinning an animal, sell the entire carcass. A skinned carcass sells for half the price of the whole animal.
• Meat: Cook it for sustenance or sell it to butchers. Donating meat to the camp helps keep the food supplies healthy and the gang happy.
• Claws, Teeth, Antlers: These go to the Fence, another specialized vendor who deals with illegal and unique items.

The Legendary Pelt Economy

Understanding how the legendary pelt economy works will help you maximize your earnings and character progression.

• Trapper vs. Others: The Trapper is the only vendor who needs legendary pelts. Other vendors will buy them, but you’ll gain nothing beyond the initial monetary value.
• Crafting Costs: While selling the pelt unlocks the recipes, you’ll still need to pay for the crafting itself. So, keep your wallet full!
• Prioritization: Prioritize the items you want most from the Trapper and hunt the corresponding legendary animals accordingly.

The Emotional Factor

Finally, consider the emotional aspect. Hunting legendary animals is a significant accomplishment. Knowing that your efforts will result in a unique and powerful outfit, crafted from the hide of a magnificent beast, can be a rewarding experience in itself. The Games Learning Society highlights the importance of such experiences within game design and player engagement, see more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I accidentally sell a legendary pelt to the wrong person?

While you can sell a legendary pelt to a general store or butcher, doing so is generally a waste. You’ll get the cash, but you won’t unlock the crafting recipes at the Trapper. If you made this mistake, don’t worry too much. As long as you killed and skinned the legendary animal, the Trapper will still have access to the pelt’s crafting recipes.

2. Do I need to keep the legendary pelt in my inventory after selling it to the Trapper?

No. Once you sell the legendary pelt to the Trapper, you never have to worry about it again. The recipes will be available to craft in his inventory forever.

3. What if I lose the legendary pelt before I can sell it?

The game is forgiving! If a legendary pelt is lost (for example, falling off your horse), it will automatically be transferred to the Trapper. You won’t get the money from selling it, but the crafting recipes will still unlock.

4. Can I donate legendary pelts to Pearson at the camp?

No, Pearson won’t accept legendary pelts. These are exclusively for the Trapper. Pearson prefers perfect pelts for crafting upgrades to the camp itself.

5. Does it matter which Trapper location I sell the pelt to?

No, it doesn’t matter. The Trapper shares his inventory across all locations. Selling the pelt at one location unlocks the crafting recipes at all Trapper locations.

6. How do I identify legendary animals on the map?

Legendary animal locations are marked on the map with a crown-like symbol. You’ll need to explore to discover these locations. Look out for question marks in the wilderness, which often lead to encounters with legendary animals.

7. What’s the best weapon to use for hunting legendary animals?

Legendary pelts are guaranteed to be perfect, regardless of the weapon used. However, for a clean kill and to avoid damaging the meat (which can be sold or cooked), consider using a rifle with express ammunition or a bow with improved arrows.

8. Do legendary animals respawn in Red Dead Redemption 2?

No, legendary animals do not respawn. Once you kill one, it’s gone for good. That’s why it’s so important to skin them and sell the pelts to the Trapper.

9. Are legendary pelts affected by weather or time?

No, legendary pelts are guaranteed perfect and won’t degrade over time. You don’t have to rush to the Trapper after obtaining one.

10. Can I craft multiple items from a single legendary pelt?

Yes, each legendary pelt provides enough materials to craft all the associated items available at the Trapper. You don’t need multiple pelts from the same animal.

11. Besides the Trapper, who else buys pelts and animal parts?

Butchers and general stores buy regular pelts, meat, and carcasses. The Fence buys illegal items like stolen wagons, as well as unique animal parts like claws and teeth extracted from legendary animals.

12. Is it possible to get a perfect legendary pelt every time?

Yes, legendary pelts are always of perfect quality, regardless of how you kill the animal. This is a key factor in their value and the Trapper’s need for them.

13. What are some of the best items I can craft with legendary pelts?

Some popular choices include the Legendary Bear Head Hat, the Legendary Panther Cloak, and the various outfits that provide cold weather protection. The “best” item depends on your personal preference and play style.

14. What should I do with the legendary animal carcass after skinning it?

You can sell the carcass to a butcher or general store for additional profit. Remember that a skinned carcass is worth less than a whole one.

15. Will any future updates to the game affect the value or use of legendary pelts?

While game updates are always possible, the legendary pelt system has been a core element of Red Dead Redemption 2 since its release. It’s unlikely that this system will fundamentally change, so your understanding of the Trapper and his crafting remains valuable.