Signpost

You might worry about RDO spoiling Red Dead Redemption II’s narrative or that the online narrative will be confusing without finishing the main game. Red Dead Online is a prequel to the main game, taking place in 1898, and one year before the events of RDR2. Random characters you encounter won’t be dropping major spoilers about the end of RDR2. While RDO has a tutorial, it isn't as in-depth or detailed as the tutorials in RDR2. Most players prefer to play RDR2 before getting into RDO. Regarding the storyline, RDO Guide recommends playing first the online version.

There is no need to rush through the game, take your time. Opposite to RDR2, there is no plot in RDO. It is entirely up to you what you want to do and where to go. After creating your character and playing or skipping the introduction, you find yourself at your randomly placed camp. You might be tempted to start exploring the five states or visit Mr. Horley in Blackwater but don't know where to begin. Signpost gives just directions on what is possible and how you could do things.

Take care of yourself and your horse

As you open your item wheel, you see that there is close to nothing on provision for you and your horse. At Flatneck Station, you find a pig paddock with five pigs. Lasso, kill and skin the pigs, then cook meat at Granger's Hoggery. At Carmody Dell and Hill Haven Ranch, you find Cows. Lasso, kill and skin the cows. You can cook meat near the ranch houses. Swim or sprint to rise your stamina, as you need stamina to climb ladders or run from enemies and animals.

You can buy horse provision like carrots and hay at any stable. As you want to save money in the beginning, pick wild carrot to feed your horse. For RDO$ 3.50 you can buy a horse brush at any stable to clean your horse. Lead, feed and groom your horse to reach bonding level four as soon as possible.

Riding and Shooting

Your horse might be get agitated by gunfire, wild animals, or attacking NPCs and players. Get used to calming your horse. A calm horse will kick you less often from the saddle in crucial situations. Get used to shoot and lasso from your horseback.

In Armadillo, you find a shooting range where you can practice firearm usage. Another location for firearm training is the Bottle Tree in the Heartlands, between Flatneck Station and Dewberry Creek.

Have a Roadmap

You can define objectives and goals, map out milestones and phases, and estimate timelines. As you progress in the game, you can always change your priorities.

Objectives and Goals

Define a minimum level you want to reach to unlock items. Set a minimum amount of cash you want to own to be able to buy items. For example, reach level 10 and have RDO$ 124.00 to unlock and buy bow and arrows.

Milestones and Phases

Your first milestone could be to reach the goal to have enough gold to buy a specialist role. In this phase, you focus on missions with a high gold reward. Your second milestone could be to maximize a chosen role and own all role items. In this phase, you focus on role specific missions.

Timelines

Depending on the pace at which you play the game, you can set a timeline within which you want to achieve a goal. For example, plan one or two weeks to own enough gold to start a role. Plan one week to maximize a role. Plan one (bonus) month to maximize the possible rewards.

Which specialist role to obtain first

The choice of your first role depends mainly on your interest and what you enjoy doing in the game. You can have all five roles at the same time; you don't have to.

  • Bounty Hunter: capture fugitives and criminals for a bounty. Riding and shooting.
  • Collector: find, collect and sell valuable items. Riding.
  • Trader: hunt animals and sell goods. Riding, hunting and shooting.
  • Moonshiner: producing, managing, and distributing moonshine. Riding, collecting and shooting.
  • Naturalist: tracking down animals to study or hunt them. Riding.

Bounty Hunter is the only specialist role that rewards you with gold. Compared to Bounty Hunter and Blood Money missions, the Free Roam Missions are easy. The total gold/cash/XP payout that you make doing Free Roam Missions and collecting at the same time, will be greater than doing Bounty Hunter missions alone. Moonshine and Trader production continues during missions.

Play without a specialist role

It is not mandatory to have one or all roles the game has to offer.

Play as a Hunter

As a hunter, you could set your goal to reach level 13. Spend $1,100 and buy all hunting and fishing equipment. Sell meats, hides and other materials to a butcher or to Gus Macmillan. Take part in Free Roam Events like Lake Fishing Challenge, Swamp Fishing Challenge and Wildlife Photographer to earn gold.

Play as Outlaw or Gunslinger

Play the three first missions of A Land of Opportunities to reach high or low honor. Depending on your choice, continue your path in the mission line. Play high or low honor Free Roam Missions, Blood Money Missions and Telegram Missions. Take part in Free Roam Events like King of the Castle and Railroad Baron to earn gold.