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Should You Sell Legendary Animal Carcasses in Red Dead Redemption 2? The Ultimate Guide

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So, you’ve finally bagged that elusive Legendary Animal in Red Dead Redemption 2. Congratulations, partner! But now comes the crucial question: should you sell the whole carcass? The short answer is: generally, no. You don’t sell the carcass; you skin it and sell the pelt. Let’s dive into the specifics of what to do with your legendary bounty to maximize your rewards and craft those coveted items.

Legendary Animals: A Hunter’s Guide to Riches

Hunting Legendary Animals is a cornerstone of the Red Dead Redemption 2 experience. These unique creatures offer valuable resources for crafting, trading, and boosting your character’s abilities. However, understanding the nuances of what to do with each part of the animal is key to getting the most out of your hunt.

The Pelt: Your Ticket to Fashion and Function

The pelt is the most valuable part of a Legendary Animal. Always skin the animal after you kill it. These pelts are primarily sold to the Trapper. He uses them to craft unique clothing items, including hats, coats, and outfits. Selling the pelt unlocks these crafting options, allowing you to purchase them from the Trapper. A single Legendary Pelt can often be used to create multiple items. For example, a Legendary Bear Pelt can be crafted into a Legendary Bear Head Hat, a Bear Coat, and Bear Ropers. Remember, selling the pelt isn’t just about the immediate cash; it’s about unlocking the ability to create these stylish and beneficial items.

Beyond the Pelt: What to Do with Other Parts

While the pelt gets the most attention, other parts of Legendary Animals are equally important. Here’s a breakdown:

Claws, Teeth, Antlers, Horns, and Other Unique Components: These items are taken to the Fence. The Fence uses them to craft Trinkets and Talismans, which provide permanent buffs to your character’s stats and abilities. For example, the Moose Antler is used to craft the Moose Antler Trinket, which increases health XP gains by 10%.
Meat: The meat from Legendary Animals can be cooked and eaten to restore your health and stamina. You can also sell it to a butcher if you prefer a quick buck.
Carcass: As stated above, the best practice is to skin the animal immediately and stow the pelt on your horse. The carcass itself is generally not directly sold. Selling the pelt registers with the Trapper, making the associated crafting recipes available.

Why Not Sell the Carcass?

While you can technically try to haul a whole Legendary Animal carcass to the Trapper or Butcher, it’s generally not the most efficient or profitable approach. Here’s why:

Value lies in the Pelt: The Trapper is primarily interested in the pelt for crafting. Selling the pelt unlocks crafting recipes, which is the ultimate goal.
Practicality: Transporting a large carcass can be cumbersome and attract unwanted attention (and predators!). Skinning the animal on the spot is much more convenient.
Rotting: While Legendary Animal pelts do not degrade, a full carcass will. You risk losing your prize if you don’t act quickly.
Tracking: If you abandon a Legendary Animal carcass, the pelt and any other associated materials are automatically recorded by the game after a short delay. You can then access them at the Trapper or Fence.

Dealing with Mishaps: What Happens if You Lose a Pelt or Carcass?

Don’t panic! Red Dead Redemption 2 is forgiving in this regard. If you accidentally lose a Legendary Animal pelt or carcass (perhaps due to an untimely death or a run-in with bandits), the game will automatically register that you killed the animal. The Trapper and Fence will have the necessary materials available for crafting, even if you don’t physically deliver them. You might miss out on the immediate sale price, but you won’t be locked out of crafting the unique items.

Maximizing Your Legendary Animal Harvest

Here’s a recap of best practices for dealing with Legendary Animals in Red Dead Redemption 2:

Hunt with Purpose: Equip your most powerful weapons and ammo. Don’t worry about damaging the pelt; Legendary Animal pelts are indestructible.
Skin Immediately: After killing a Legendary Animal, skin it immediately.
Pelt to the Trapper: Take the pelt to the Trapper. Selling the pelt unlocks crafting recipes.
Other Parts to the Fence: Take any claws, teeth, antlers, or horns to the Fence. He will use them to craft Trinkets and Talismans.
Meat for Sustenance or Sale: Cook and eat the meat to restore your stats, or sell it to a butcher.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting powerful gear and becoming the most stylish gunslinger in the West.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Animal Carcasses

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further navigate the world of Legendary Animal hunting in Red Dead Redemption 2:

What happens if I leave a Legendary Animal carcass? The items will automatically be in the Trapper’s inventory after a short delay.
Who should I sell Legendary Animals to? Sell the pelts to the Trapper to unlock crafting recipes. Sell claws, teeth, etc., to the Fence for trinkets.
Where should I sell the Legendary Buck carcass? You don’t sell the carcass; you sell the Legendary Buck pelt to the Trapper.
What is the best thing to do with Legendary Animals in RDR2? Skin them, sell the pelts to the Trapper for clothing, and sell other parts to the Fence for trinkets.
Should I sell Legendary Fox pelt? Yes, sell it to the Trapper. It unlocks the Legendary Fox Moccasins and the Legendary Buck & Fox Range Gloves.
Can you ruin Legendary Animal hides? No, you cannot damage the pelt of a Legendary Animal.
Should I sell Legendary pelts to the Trapper? Yes! That’s how you unlock crafting.
Is it better to skin Legendary Animals in RDR2? Yes. Skinning is essential for obtaining the pelt.
Does it matter which Trapper you sell to in RDR2? No, any Trapper will do.
What to do with Legendary Buck pelt and Carcass? Sell the pelt to the Trapper.
Do you sell Legendary Animals to Gus? You sell the pelts to Gus online in Red Dead Online (RDO) and Gus is the Trapper. You then can craft items from him.
What happens if you ruin a Legendary Animal? The defeat is recorded, and needed materials are available at the Trapper.
Does it matter what weapon you use on Legendary Animals? No, the pelt cannot be damaged.
Should I take Legendary pelts to the Fence or Trapper? Take pelts to the Trapper and other parts to the Fence.
Can you do anything with the legendary Moose carcass? Skin it for the pelt and antler.

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