The Ultimate Guide to RDR2 Stables: Which One Has the Best Horses?
The definitive answer to which stable boasts the best horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) isn’t a simple one, as “best” is subjective and depends on your needs and play style. However, generally speaking, for the absolute top-tier performance, the Blackwater Stable is the frontrunner. It’s the only place you can acquire the Rose Grey Bay Arabian after completing the Epilogue, a horse often considered the fastest and one of the best in the game due to its superior stats in speed, acceleration, health, and stamina. However, other stables excel in offering unique breeds and advantages depending on what you’re looking for. Let’s dive deep into the world of RDR2 horses and stables!
Understanding Horse Breeds and Stats in RDR2
Before we pinpoint the best stables, it’s crucial to understand the core factors that make a horse “good” in RDR2. A horse’s usefulness isn’t solely determined by its raw speed. Factors like health, stamina, handling, and temperament also play critical roles, impacting your overall experience.
Key Horse Stats:
- Health: Determines how much damage your horse can take before being injured or killed.
- Stamina: Affects how long your horse can run at full speed before tiring.
- Speed: Dictates the maximum speed your horse can reach.
- Acceleration: Measures how quickly your horse can reach its top speed.
- Handling: Defines how responsive the horse is to your commands and how easily it can navigate various terrains.
- Temperament: Impacts the horse’s bravery and resistance to spooking in dangerous situations like battles or encounters with predators.
Notable Horse Breeds:
- Arabian: Known for their speed, agility, and responsiveness. Often considered the “best” overall, but can be skittish.
- Thoroughbred: Excellent racers with high speed and acceleration.
- Missouri Fox Trotter: Great all-around horses with a good balance of speed, stamina, and temperament.
- Mustang: A hardy breed well-suited for the wild west, with decent stats and courage.
- Hungarian Halfbred: A strong and fearless breed, good for combat.
- Ardennes: A heavy war horse, known for its strength and bravery in battle.
Breaking Down the Best Stables in RDR2
While the Blackwater Stable gets much of the attention, each stable offers its own unique advantages and appealing breeds.
Blackwater Stable (Post-Epilogue)
- Location: Blackwater, West Elizabeth (Available only in the Epilogue)
- Key Breed: Rose Grey Bay Arabian. As mentioned, this horse is a powerhouse, with excellent base stats across the board. It’s expensive, but for many players, worth the investment for its performance.
- Pros: Unmatched speed and acceleration, high stamina and health (for an Arabian), prestige.
- Cons: Only available after completing the main story, very expensive.
Saint Denis Stable
- Location: Saint Denis, Lemoyne (Available from Chapter 4)
- Key Breeds: Chestnut Arabian, Missouri Fox Trotter
- Pros: High-quality horses available earlier in the game. The Missouri Fox Trotter is an excellent all-around horse, balancing speed, stamina, and a calmer temperament than the Arabian.
- Cons: The Chestnut Arabian, while good, is slightly less impressive than the Rose Grey Bay.
Tumbleweed Stable
- Location: Tumbleweed, New Austin
- Key Breeds: American Standardbred, Mustang
- Pros: Solid selection of horses available early in the game. If Arthur needs an all-purpose horse, the Mustang is just the breed he’s looking for.
- Cons: The Mustang horses don’t have the high speed or stamina of the Arabian or Missouri Fox Trotter.
Valentine Stable
- Location: Valentine, The Heartlands
- Key Breeds: Appaloosa, American Paint
- Pros: A good starting point for acquiring decent horses early in the game. The Appaloosa can be visually appealing.
- Cons: None of the breeds here stand out as exceptional compared to those available at later-game stables.
Strawberry Stable
- Location: Strawberry, West Elizabeth
- Key Breeds: Ardennes, Kentucky Saddler
- Pros: A place to buy heavier draft horses for use in pulling wagons and hunting trips
- Cons: Kentucky Saddler is among the most common and least impressive horses in the game.
Van Horn Trading Post Stable
- Location: Van Horn Trading Post, Roanoke Ridge
- Key Breeds: Nokota, Tennessee Walker
- Pros: If you enjoy unique breeds and are starting the game over, these are some different horses
- Cons: They aren’t exactly the fastest, bravest or strongest breeds, but they can be fun for a replay.
Beyond the Stables: Wild Horses and Taming
Don’t forget that some of the best horses in RDR2 can be found in the wild. The White Arabian near Lake Isabella is a prime example. Taming wild horses requires patience and skill, but it can be a rewarding way to acquire a top-tier mount for free. There are also the rare Tiger Striped Bay Wild Mustang.
Choosing the Right Horse for You
Ultimately, the “best” stable depends on your priorities. If you prioritize top-tier performance above all else, the Blackwater Stable (post-Epilogue) for the Rose Grey Bay Arabian is the undisputed champion. If you want a great horse earlier in the game, the Saint Denis Stable with the Missouri Fox Trotter is an excellent choice. For a horse with a fearless personality, visit the Valentine Stable and get a Hungarian Halfbred. Consider the Games Learning Society to learn more about strategy in different video games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about RDR2 Horses and Stables
1. What is the fastest horse in RDR2 before the Epilogue?
The Missouri Fox Trotter, available at the Saint Denis stable, is often considered one of the fastest and best all-around horses available before reaching the Epilogue.
2. Is the White Arabian as good as the Rose Grey Bay Arabian?
The White Arabian, found in the wild, is an excellent horse, but the Rose Grey Bay Arabian generally has slightly better base stats, especially in health and stamina.
3. Where can I find the White Arabian in RDR2?
The White Arabian can be found near Lake Isabella, in the snowy mountains northwest of Valentine. It requires careful taming due to its skittish nature.
4. How do I increase my horse’s bonding level in RDR2?
You increase your horse’s bonding level by consistently caring for it: riding it, feeding it, grooming it, and calming it when it’s scared. As your bond grows, your horse will become more responsive and unlock new abilities.
5. What are the benefits of having a higher horse bonding level?
Higher bonding levels unlock perks like increased health and stamina, the ability to perform advanced maneuvers (like drifting and rearing), and the ability to call your horse from further distances.
6. What is the best saddle in RDR2?
The Panther Trail Saddle is considered one of the best due to its significant reduction in core stamina drain. However, other saddles like the Beaver Roping Saddle also offer excellent benefits.
7. Do horses die permanently in RDR2?
Yes, if your horse’s health is fully depleted, it will die permanently. It’s crucial to protect your horse and carry horse reviver.
8. How can I revive my horse if it gets injured?
You can use Horse Reviver, purchased from general stores or found throughout the world, to revive an injured horse.
9. What happens if I don’t have Horse Reviver when my horse is injured?
If you don’t have Horse Reviver, your horse will die. It’s always a good idea to keep some on hand, especially when venturing into dangerous areas.
10. Can I own multiple horses in RDR2?
Yes, you can own multiple horses, but you can only actively ride one at a time. The rest are stabled and can be swapped out at any stable.
11. How do I tame a wild horse in RDR2?
Approach the horse slowly, calm it, mount it, and then repeatedly counter its bucking until you break it. It’s a challenging but rewarding process.
12. What are the best stirrups for my horse in RDR2?
Stirrups primarily affect your horse’s stamina drain rate. The best stirrups are generally those that offer the highest reduction in stamina drain.
13. Does the type of saddle affect my horse’s speed?
No, saddles primarily affect your horse’s stamina drain and core stats. They don’t directly increase speed.
14. Should I sell Hosea’s horse?
Hosea’s horse is unique. We suggest to keep it – it’s a pretty good horse.
15. Are the expensive horses worth it in RDR2?
Whether an expensive horse is “worth it” depends on your priorities. The Rose Grey Bay Arabian is one of the most expensive horses in the game, but it is also the fastest and the best. But some less expensive horses may be just as good.