Red Dead Redemption 2 needs more than 50-60 hours to beat without completing the optional storyline (the Stranger mission), even up to more than 120 hours to have 100% completion, but what if casual players tend to miss these ten side quests and activities?
Updated June 16th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive game. Developers did a fantastic job creating a truly large open world that looks and feels alive, with tons of missions, secrets, and hidden side quests. Players that spend a lot of time exploring the reaches of the expansive map will uncover some truly entertaining and engaging Stranger Missions. But even those that spend a majority of their adventure checking the nooks and crannies they come across can still miss out on some truly enthralling missions. To better showcase the best side missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 that players generally miss out on, the following list has been updated to include even more entries.
13 Help Two Escaped Convicts
Players that are looking for something a bit comedic and heartwarming should seek out two escaped convicts just outside Rhodes, in the woods near the train tracks. “The Ties That Bind Us” is a three-part quest where Arthur (or John) can encounter the duo multiple times, helping them to avoid recapture (or turning them back in for the bounty money if they see fit). The duo are rather funny to watch, initially hating on one another quite a bit, but it soon becomes apparent to the player that they’re pretty reliant on each other for survival.
This quest may not offer the best rewards or anything out of the ordinary, but it’s a great side mission for those that are looking to immerse themselves more into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.
12 Help Solve A Love Triangle
“Oh, Brother” is easily one of the most hilarious and entertaining quests found throughout the wide world of Red Dead Redemption 2. Players will encounter a twin duo in Valentine, nearby the store, after completing Chapter 3 and beginning Chapter 4. It’s easy to miss this quest as the NPCs simply look like two young men arguing with one another. Players will need to head nearby to initiate the questline, which spans multiple encounters with the twins.
Players will find themselves embroiled in a love triangle, something Arthur usually wouldn’t find himself partaking in. The writing for this particular mission is particularly biting, with the twins vying for the attention of a woman by calling each other some pretty despicable (and downright comical) names. It’s definitely one of the funniest experiences in the game and players should see it unfold at least once.
11 Re-Enact Frankenstein With A Twist
One of the coolest and most often-overlooked missions is “A Bright Bouncing Boy,” which can be started once players reach Saint Denis. There, just North of the Horse Stable on the edge of town, players will encounter a man named Marko Dragic. The inventor is being called a fraud by some strangers and enlists Arthur’s help to prove them wrong, roping players into a fun mini-game where they must pilot a remote-controlled boat.
While many players will find this mission, the next couple of times Marko is encountered he is located high up in the mountains, almost on the edge of the map. Players that don’t venture this far to check out the awaiting question mark will definitely miss out on one of the strangest and most electrifying missions in the game.
10 Find Dinosaur Bones
‘A Test of Faith’ is a Stranger mission where players encounter Deborah MacGuinness, an amateur paleontologist, in The Heartlands, New Hanover. She’ll ask players to mail the coordinates of 30 dinosaur bones they come across the country for a cash reward in return.
It’s understandable if some players tend to skip this mission since it’s too much hassle for a very minimal reward. Lucky for every completionist out there, simplified guides and shortcuts for finding these dinosaur bones are all over the internet now.
9 Collect Wild West Pokémon Cards
Fancy of collecting the Pokémon Cards’ of the Old West? Then ‘Smoking and Other Hobbies’ is something to consider. On this mission, players are required to collect up to 12 Cigarette Card Sets, and each set contains 12 cards. That means, 144 unique cards have to be obtained, ranging from the Prominent Americans Card Set to the Horses Cards Set.
It’s no wonder why so many players skip this part. The easiest way to complete this quest is to upgrade your satchel to the maximum, maximize the Honor bar, and buy premium cigarettes (preferably in Saint Denis). It’s time consuming, but it’s nice to see a complete set in your possession.
8 Find Four Legendary Gunslingers
On ‘The Noblest of Men, and a Woman,’ players, whether it’s Arthur or John, will be tasked to take on the West’s four most notorious gunslingers: Flaco Hernández, Emmet Granger, Billy Midnight, and Black Belle.
After competing with each gun-slinging legend, various rare rewards are ready to be claimed. The mission will only be activated during Chapter 2 at Keane’s Saloon in Valentine, so make sure not to rush it!
7 Hunt a Bison with Charles
Aside from the Stranger missions, most casual players tend to overlook the camp’s additional tasks, like hunting bison with Charles, for example.
Charles and Arthur will eventually come across a group of marauders who hunt and kill buffaloes for fun, and you can either choke him to death or spare him. These camp missions will disappear once you move forward with the main story, so make sure not to miss them!
6 Play Five Fingers with Micah
Every Red Dead Redemption 2 players can agree that Micah Bell is the game’s worst, most hated character. So why not beat him in a classic Five Finger Fillet game instead of killing him?
On this companion side mission, players are required to have a solid focus and finish by getting more laps than their opponents. Missing the order will abolish any lap progression that’s been made, so always make sure to keep an eye out.
5 Find the UFO
Rockstar loves to sprinkle their games with zany hidden Easter Eggs and references. One such Easter Egg is the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) from Red Dead Redemption 2, which may or may not be the same one see in Grand Theft Auto V.
To summon the UFO, head over the small shack in New Hanover, just northeast of Heartland Overflow to find a concerning note about an interstellar traveler. If you wait long enough in the cabin, you’ll see a green-glowing, mysterious flying object in the sky.
4 Hunt Down A Serial Killer
Still from the second chapter, there’s a Stranger mission called ‘American Dreams’ given by Sheriff Curtis Malloy in Valentine. There are three murder scenes to be investigated that may trigger the quest, too.
The goal of this side mission is to hunt down a cold-blooded killer, Edmund Lowry Jr., who mutilates his victims. Connect the dots of his current whereabouts and bring him to justice. Even though the reward is not that big ($20), it’s always better than nothing! However, to get the reward and some gratitude, be sure to help authorities put down Edmund when he breaks free of his restraints.
3 Reclaim A House From The Night Folk
‘A Fine Night for It’ is a Stranger mission from Chapter 2, and many players miss it because it’s only available between 10 PM to 5 AM. To trigger the task, players have to encounter the murdering group Night Folk along the Bayou or Bluewater Marsh at night.
The mission itself centers around a Night Folk’s victim, begging for Arthur to help him claim his house back from the murdering thieves.
2 Encounter the Aberdeen Pig Farm Family
The Aberdeen Pig Farm is a creepy looking ranch where two incestuous siblings, named Bray and Tammy Aberdeen, live. It’s located in the Scarlett Meadows region of the Lemoyne, right next to the border of Roanoke Ridge.
Upon encountering the siblings, they’ll welcome the player to join them for dinner and eventually offer an alcoholic beverage until he passes out. They’ll loot the player of all their money and ditch them in a mass grave, located right next to their ranch. To reclaim your money, head over the farm and make them pay in anyway you want. Pro tip: Tie up Tammy and bring her to the mass grave for some unique dialogue.
1 Hunt Down A Snake Oil Salesman
Lastly, we have ‘Good, Honest, Snake Oil’ from Valentine. It’s one of the first bounty-hunting side missions. This is a good quest to finish, especially if you’re low on money.
To trigger it, simply head over to the sheriff’s office at Valentine to collect a bounty poster of Benedict Albright. This Snake Oil conman sold his so-called ‘miracle cure’ that proved fatal to the people of New Hanover. The reward is $50. Looting Benedict yields a bottle of his miracle cure that, ironically, works on you.
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