How to make money fast in RDR2 story mode
The fastest way to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2's story mode is to follow treasure maps that end in gold bars and sell them to a fence. After that, the steady earners are selling stolen goods and wagons, hunting perfect pelts and legendary animals, and robbing trains, stagecoaches and shops. Money is tight early in the story but becomes plentiful by the middle chapters.
Best ways to earn
- Treasure maps. Treasure hunts such as the Jack Hall Gang Treasure, High Stakes Treasure and Poisonous Trail Treasure end with gold bars or valuables. Sell gold bars at a fence for a large payout. This is the biggest single source of cash in story mode.
- Fences. Sell jewelry, valuables and stolen items at fences such as the one at Emerald Ranch.
- Wagon and stagecoach theft. Stolen wagons can be sold at a wagon fence once a story mission unlocks it; keep a low profile to avoid bounties.
- Hunting. Three-star pelts and carcasses sell well at butchers and trappers; legendary animal pelts go to the trapper, who pays for them and unlocks unique outfits.
- Robberies. Train, stagecoach and store holdups pay quickly, but they lower your honor and add bounties.
- Looting. Check every body, house and camp; small items add up.
- Bounty hunting and side jobs offer steady, honorable income.
Making money without doing missions
Most of these methods are free-roam activities, so you can earn without story missions or jobs: treasure hunts, hunting and selling pelts, looting, fishing and selling to butchers, and robbing travelers or stagecoaches (at an honor and bounty cost). In the epilogue, John can use the same methods.
What to spend money on
Prioritize camp upgrades (including Dutch's lodging, which unlocks fast travel), better weapons and scopes, a good horse with saddle upgrades, and the satchels from the trapper that hold more items.
FAQ
Is there a cheat for unlimited money in RDR2?
There is no legitimate unlimited-money trick in story mode. The game has built-in cheat codes, but cheats can disable saving and trophies while they're active, so use them only on a separate save.
Where are fences in RDR2?
The main fences are at Emerald Ranch, Saint Denis and Van Horn Trading Post; more locations open as the story progresses.
Does honor affect how much money you make?
Not much. High honor gives discounts in shops, and honor mainly changes how people react to you and some story moments; it doesn't raise mission payouts.
How do you earn money in the RDR2 epilogue?
Mostly the same ways as with Arthur: hunting, selling to fences, bounties and robberies. The final story missions of the epilogue also give John a large payout.
How do you make money in Red Dead Online?
Use the legit roles and activities: Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner and Naturalist, plus missions and daily challenges. Avoid money "glitches" and mods, which can get your account banned.