How to Defeat Red Dead Redemption II’s Most Difficult Challenges


Red Dead Redemption II is packed with challenges that test your mettle in a world of outlaws, unpredictable wildlife, and harsh landscapes. But for those looking to achieve 100% completion, the game’s most difficult challenges can be daunting. From skillful shooting to strategic gaming, these tasks require patience, knowledge, and sometimes a bit of luck. Here’s a breakdown of some of the toughest challenges in the Red Dead universe and how to conquer them.

Master Hunter Challenge

The Master Hunter Challenge, as you might have guessed, requires tracking down elusive animals and using your hunting skills to pure perfection. One of the most challenging parts involves tracking and killing a legendary panther, known as “Giaguaro.” To defeat this beast, you need to first reach Master Hunter Rank 9, making it a late-game challenge.

Want to maximize your chances? Stock up on potent hunting tonics and use Cover Scent Lotion to mask your presence. A high-powered rifle with the best ammo available is key to taking the panther down swiftly. Patience is vital – observe its movements carefully before making your shot. And remember, legendary animals can only be taken down once, so accuracy is critical.

Herbalist Challenge

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This challenge series is one of the most time-consuming in Red Dead Redemption II, especially when you reach the task of picking all 43 plant species in the game. To make progress, you need to explore different regions extensively, from the snowy mountains to the swamps of Lemoyne.

A helpful tip is to make use of the in-game compendium, where each plant you’ve already picked is recorded. This can be a useful guide when tracking down the plants you’re missing. Additionally, using online guides and maps can be a lifesaver to find those last elusive species without spending endless hours wandering the wilderness.

Sharpshooter Challenge

The Sharpshooter Challenges push your accuracy and precision with firearms to the limit. One of the trickiest tasks involves shooting birds from a moving train. To complete this, find a train route with plenty of open space and start your ride. Use a weapon with a decent range, such as a scoped rifle, and take advantage of Dead Eye to slow down time, giving you a better chance of hitting your targets.

When trying to complete these challenges, it’s worth remembering that you can create a manual save before starting the challenge. If things go awry, you can reload and try again without losing too much progress.

The Gamer Challenge

The gamer challenges are pretty far reaching and they vary in difficulty a lot. Playing in three or more different locations is easy, there’s a saloon in most towns, and if there isn’t, you’ll usually find a game of dominoes going on outside train stations. However, it all gets a bit harder with the blackjack section of this challenge compendium.

As anyone who plays blackjack knows, winning three hands of blackjack with three hits or more is no mean feat. For those that aren’t clued up, you need to score 21 or less (but crucially, closer than the dealer is to 21) to win this game. To hit three times means you’ll need to do this with four cards in your hand! This is one of the challenges where gaining a bit of outside knowledge isn’t a bad idea. Some keen RDRII players have found that playing on a site that allows a demo mode on RNG blackjack games can be a less time consuming way of getting to grips with the strategy of this game.

Survivalist Challenge

Surviving in the wild is tough enough, but the Survivalist Challenges take it to another level. A particularly difficult task requires catching three fish in a row without using any bait or lures. While this may seem straightforward, it becomes a test of patience and technique, as you’ll need to rely solely on your fishing rod skills.

The key to success here is choosing a fishing spot with plenty of smaller fish, such as Bluegill or Perch, which are easier to catch without bait. Focus on keeping your line taut and timing your reeling just right to avoid losing the fish. Also, be sure to aim for clear weather, as it makes spotting fish in the water easier.