Who Killed the Most People in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is a brutal and unforgiving one, where violence often seems to be the only language understood. With gunfights, heists, and desperate struggles for survival, many lives are lost within the game’s sprawling landscape. So, who is responsible for the most deaths? While there isn’t an exact in-game counter, analysis and player experiences point towards one clear, albeit unsurprising, answer: Arthur Morgan.
While the game does feature other characters involved in violence, and even Micah Bell is directly responsible for a good portion of deaths in the narrative, Arthur’s body count is often dramatically higher due to the player’s direct control over his actions. Even with players striving for a high-honor playthrough, the sheer number of required story missions that involve combat, along with optional encounters, means that Arthur is generally responsible for the majority of deaths in a typical playthrough. Estimates range from around 900 to well over 1,000 kills, even for players attempting a less violent path, making him the most prolific killer in RDR2.
Why is Arthur’s Kill Count So High?
It’s not that Arthur is necessarily a bloodthirsty character (though players can certainly choose to play him that way), but the game’s narrative structure and gameplay mechanics often place him in situations where violence is unavoidable.
Forced Encounters
Numerous story missions and side quests require Arthur to engage in combat, whether it’s against lawmen, rival gangs, or wild animals. These unavoidable encounters rack up Arthur’s kill count regardless of the player’s moral choices.
Player Freedom
The open-world nature of Red Dead Redemption 2 gives players a lot of freedom, and that often leads to conflict. Players might find themselves in spontaneous skirmishes with bandits, feuds with rival gangs, or even accidental shootouts with law enforcement. These encounters often escalate quickly and drastically increase Arthur’s body count.
The Game’s Premise
As an outlaw in a lawless era, Arthur’s life is one of constant danger. He’s a member of a gang that relies on violence and robbery for survival. The very premise of the game necessitates a large amount of combat to advance the plot.
The Impact of Player Choice
While players can choose to play Arthur with more or less violence, even those striving for high honor will inevitably amass a considerable number of kills. This is because the game’s story often forces him into situations of conflict. The more lawlessness a player gets into, the higher the body count will rise.
Other Notable Killers in RDR2
While Arthur Morgan dominates the kill count, several other characters also contribute to the violence in the game:
Micah Bell
Micah Bell is undoubtedly one of the most hated characters in the game, and his body count is substantial. He’s often at the center of brutal shootouts and ambushes, demonstrating his ruthless nature. Micah’s actions are tied to major narrative points, making his kills significant, even if they don’t match Arthur’s in sheer number.
Dutch Van Der Linde
As the leader of the Van der Linde gang, Dutch Van der Linde is also involved in numerous violent encounters. His leadership leads the gang into conflicts, and his decisions often result in the deaths of many. Although Dutch doesn’t personally kill as many as Arthur, his role as a leader places him in the center of many conflicts.
Lawmen and Other Gangs
The law enforcement and rival gangs throughout the game are responsible for numerous deaths too. Encounters with the Pinkertons, bounty hunters, or other outlaw groups often result in intense gunfights, contributing to the overall violence of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many kills did Arthur Morgan have?
Estimates for Arthur Morgan’s kill count typically range from 900 to well over 1,000, depending on how violently the player chooses to engage with the game world. This number can vary significantly from player to player, but he is undoubtedly the most lethal character controlled in the game.
2. Does the honor system affect Arthur’s kill count?
While the honor system influences the story and Arthur’s interactions, it does not entirely eliminate the need for combat. Even players with high honor will find themselves in situations where they must kill to survive. Lower honor generally leads to more unprovoked violence and, therefore, a higher kill count.
3. Who is the main villain of RDR2?
The main antagonist is generally considered to be Micah Bell, who betrays the Van der Linde gang and is responsible for much of the conflict in the latter half of the game.
4. Did Arthur Morgan go to heaven?
Whether or not Arthur Morgan would go to heaven is purely subjective and dependent on the player’s beliefs. Given the violence of his life and the sheer number of people he killed, many debate his redemption. The game focuses more on Arthur’s personal redemption than any external judgment.
5. What is the saddest death in RDR2?
Many consider John Marston’s death in the original Red Dead Redemption to be the saddest and most tragic death in the series. Arthur’s death, while also tragic, is somewhat expected, as the character’s disease is revealed early in the story.
6. How did Arthur Morgan die?
Arthur’s death depends on the player’s honor level. If the player has high honor, he succumbs to his tuberculosis, watching the sunrise; if low honor, Micah executes him. Both endings signify the end of Arthur’s life and the beginning of John’s story.
7. Why is Micah Bell so evil?
Micah’s evil nature is driven by self-interest, greed, and a willingness to betray anyone for personal gain. He has no genuine loyalty and exhibits violent and manipulative behavior throughout the game.
8. Was Micah always a rat?
Micah started informing on the gang to the Pinkertons after they returned from Guarma. He was not a loyal member and was always focused on self-preservation.
9. What is the creepiest thing in RDR2?
Many players find the Skinners gang to be the creepiest element of the game, due to their brutality and the way they mutilate their victims. Their random encounters and the gruesome scenes they leave behind are truly unsettling.
10. What is the secret killer in RDR2?
The serial killer in the game is Edmund Lowry Jr. Players can track down his clues and uncover his story by following a series of map pieces.
11. Why did Micah shoot Arthur?
If the player chooses the low honor ending, Micah shoots Arthur because Arthur had found out about Micah’s betrayal. He sees Arthur as a threat to his survival.
12. Why did Dutch trust Micah so much?
Dutch’s trust in Micah is complex, likely due to Micah saving his life and Dutch’s own increasingly unstable mental state that was being manipulated by Micah. Dutch’s narcissism and refusal to admit he was fooled played a significant role in his acceptance of Micah.
13. Does John know Micah killed Arthur?
It is never directly said if John knows that Micah actually killed Arthur, but it’s clear that John is aware of Micah’s betrayal of the gang.
14. Why did Dutch kill Micah?
Dutch shoots Micah as a form of redemption. He finally acknowledges his errors and takes out the man responsible for the downfall of his gang, which allows him to have a small victory.
15. Can you cure Arthur’s tuberculosis?
Unfortunately, no. Arthur’s tuberculosis is an incurable and progressive disease. While there’s a trinket to alleviate some of the symptoms, there’s no way to prevent the disease from progressing and leading to his death.