Looking for ways to make a fortune in Red Dead Redemption 2? No wonder – cash is among the most important things about Red Ded Redemption 2. It allows you to have a steady supply of ammunition, buy newer and more powerful guns, and rifles, and pamper the horse you bonded. Moreover, having a steady supply of cash makes you feel safe as you’re exploring the open-world at a time Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place. Unfortunately, not all methods are created equal, or worth your time and effort. That’s mainly why you should learn how to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2, and a serious one at that.
1. Finish main and side missions
We’re starting with the most obvious way to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2. Main and side missions provide a constant source of entertainment, so you won’t feel like you’re grinding. Also, some quest rewards, especially done alongside gang members, can net the biggest in-game money rewards. In fact, some of the money-making techniques here are part of those missions, especially methods 3 and 8.
2. Loot everyone and everything
If you want to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s no better advice than “loot everyone you kill“. This adds up, and quickly, especially during missions when you’re fighting 15 or more opponents at once. Also, most, if not all, have a horse you can loot too. Furthermore, you get a chance to pick up rare and expensive items. This ties in with method 6 nicely.
3. Finish the treasure hunts
If you’re pondering how to earn money in Red Dead Redemption 2, how about becoming a treasure hunter? The game suggests it too, nudging you toward a new treasure hunt every 5 levels after you hit level 10. Not sure where to start? Two valuable ones include Jack Hall Gang Treasure Map and Poisonous Trail Treasure Map. Yes, map hunts are slightly less profitable, but you’ll make a quick buck in RDR 2 with them nonetheless. You can also search for 75 lockboxes spread across the RDR2 world, but be aware that they’re disguised masterfully.
4. Fish or hunt animals and sell pelts
Fishing is probably the easiest and most cost-effective way to make a profit in Red Dead Redemption 2. If you use a lure instead of a bait, there’s no investment besides a fishing pole. Also, nothing is consumed besides time, so it’s nothing but profit doing it, and you’ll catch a $2 fish per minute on average. If you need a riskier way to earn money in RDR2, pick up a rifle, prepare enough ammo, and start hunting. You’ll have to replenish ammo after a time, yes. But bringing meat and perfect pelts to store clerks, trappers, butchers can make your effort and nuance while killing pay off greatly.
5. Fulfill Wanted Poster requirements
You won’t make a fortune in Red Dead Redemption 2 by becoming a bounty hunter, but you’ll have tons of fun doing it. You’ll earn between $20 and $100 per target, depending on difficultly and whether they’re brought alive. Expect to track the target down based on their last location, incapacitate or kill them, fight off their friends (if any) and ride back to town with them in tow, alive or not. As an RDR2 money farm, this is a no-go. But if you want to feel like a predator while making a quick buck, it’s a hit.
6. Trade wagons and trinkets for money
One of the best money-making methods for RDR 2 is collecting items, then selling them to the Fence at Emerald Station. He does not care how you obtained said items, as long as they’re valuable. You can bring in consumables, pocket watches, gold bars, various trinkets looted off corpses, and even wagons or coaches/carriages. Besides finding them in the open world, you’ll get carriages/coaches and wagons as a byproduct of the method below, so you’ll kill two birds with one stone.
7. Rob vehicles, buildings, or people
Robbing is an integral part of the game, but scoring big in Red Dead Redemption 2 by robbing is pretty inconsistent. Cash registers rarely have a lot of money, and robbing a bandit group can get you killed. Even if you roll into a side business, you won’t get away with more than $100 in the best-case scenario. What you’ll also gain is a high bounty and a good chase from the sheriff’s office. If you really want to do it, wear a bandana, roll into a store without killing anyone, and you’ll get out with money without drawing lawmen’s attention. Robbing a train is a high-risk low-reward, although infinitely fun. Even if you take $75 to $100 home, lawmen will probably murder you, and you’ll have +$200 bounty on your head.
8. Gamble or become a debt collector
Many people suggest gambling as a way to make money in RDR2. It’s fun but terribly time-inefficient. For example, with a $5 buy-in, after a full game that can last for tens of minutes, you’ll get $30 to $45. In contrast, being a debut collector for Leopold Strauss, the gang’s treasurer, can lead to crazy payouts. And while you can only purchase things from the campgrounds, it’s still upgrades and goods you need.
9. Sell horses
Selling horses is a good way to make a profit in Red Dead Redemption 2, albeit a slow one. Buying a horse is pretty expensive, but the opposite surprisingly isn’t. However, selling the rare breeds at a Stable can make up for it. Want to have an adventure while turning a profit in RDR 2? Visit the Ambarino mountains and tame the White Arabian horse. You’ll get to ride it for quite a while before it reaches Level 2 (or more) and it makes sense to sell it.
10. Be nice to NPCs
Who knew that an outlaw with a kind soul could turn a profit in RDR 2? Sounds weird and counter to the game’s story, but it’s true. The honor system can help you earn passive income in Red Dead Redemption 2 through long-term dividends, whether cash or favors. Also, you won’t have to worry about bounties or waste money on weapons, ammo, or horses, which helps.