What am I doing wrong?

[AmyStone]

So far I've done really badly at the game. I'm trying really hard not to get bounties but it's almost impossible not to. Just as soon as I make some cash then I get a bounty and lose it all again. I got off my horse outside the saloon a couple of evenings ago and there was a fight going on and someone started attacking me. So, I defended myself and punched them back. That got me a bounty. It was totally unprovoked and I didn't choose to do it. Last night when I was doing the debt collecting missions I managed to get a bounty when I was trying to get the money from one person. So any money I made from the mission was lost in paying off bounties. I'm finding it really hard work. Do I have to pay my bounty? Is there another way to get rid of it? Dying doesn't seem to help.

[White Shark]

I would play the game very cautiously especially when in towns or populated areas. Have the mindset that EVERYONE is a potential killer, and you could be dead before hitting the floor, as was the lifestyle in those days. Take things slow. Don't rush about in case you knock into people. Dismount your horse as soon as you can when visiting a town.

 

Refrain from drawing your gun. If someone starts arguing, try all you can to defuse it. If it results in a fist fight, use block far more than punching. I got into a fight in a saloon, unscripted event, completely uncalled for. I blocked mostly, only landing the odd punch to push back. Even though I knocked these NPCs out, I got no bounties and no one reported me to the law. It was almost as though the game knew I was far more defensive rather than going all out fist flying to beat the enemies to death.

 

Caution, restraint, defense.

[Mister Pink]

Things to do to reduce the probability of getting a bounty.

 

- Try commit crimes at night. Fewer witnesses

- Wear a mask. Don't let people see you put the mask on. Put it on before you arouse suspicion in other people before you commit the crime. 

- If you think you can make a getaway without more murder, make the getaway -  it will reduce the probability of a witness seeing you commit murder. 

- Hide bodies

- Anyone marked in red on your HUD is OK to kill in self-defence, I believe. 

 

I think some re-adjusting your thinking about how you play, like White Shark, pointed out, greatly helps.  Coming in with a GTA mindset won't help. The system is more complex than GTA and in turn a bit more fun, in my opinion. Every murder counts in RDR2. The gravity of the crime weighs heavier than GTA.  So try be more considerate and calculated when it comes to crimes. 

 

- Check for witnesses first

- If you want to rob a store do it when it's about to close at night and there's less chance of someone walking in or witnessing the crime. 

- If you can escape without using more violence, try do so.

 

Best of luck with it. 

Edited October 30, 2018 by Mister Pink

[Nutduster]

Another tip: a lot of crimes won't result immediately in a bounty, but a witness running away to report you.  If they get away, that's when you get a bounty.  Run them down, tackle them, and you'll have options to threaten and/or beat them into not talking.  This won't always be an option if you're in a populated area, but it does work. I was witnessed looting a guy at Emerald Ranch (really was part of a debt collection), and I ran the guy down, tackled him, threatened him, and eventually punched him because he refused to directly say that he wouldn't report me.  No bounty when all was said and done, and I got to loot TWO guys. 

Also, apparently you can give yourself up peacefully to lawmen when you have a bounty, and there are various, random jail scenarios for Arthur.  At the end of it you should have no bounty (at least that's my understanding -might depend on the scenario), though you may also lose some or all of your money.  Basically seems like a way to get de-bountied if your bounty is worth more than the money you've currently got.

 

In general it seems like the bounty system is pretty harsh.  If you don't want them on you, stay out of trouble in towns or around groups of people that aren't designated enemies (meaning people like O'Driscolls - you won't get in trouble for fighting with them).  Keep your crimes to isolated people in the middle of nowhere as much as possible.  I quickly racked up a $185 bounty in New Hanover by starting random hell a few times in Valentine (once due to me moving too fast on my horse and trampling someone by accident).  After I paid it off, I've started taking it very easy when I'm in town.  I move around slowly and I keep my guns holstered.

Edited October 30, 2018 by Nutduster

[Lonely-Martin]

Does feel harsh to start in story, but it does ease with honor and learning the pace of it all too, I feel. It's a little strong but I do like it too as it's seeing me get better at thinking about my next moves or cleaning up my mess hiding bodies or stopping witnesses.

 

Very different to calling Lester for free, lol. But it will be interesting if it's the same online. It might ease the nonsense. Or we'll all be outside the stations/jails fighting, dying, and paying for every bar brawl, that might get a bit silly. But we'll see then, enjoying getting good here for now.

[Sonny_Black]

43 minutes ago, White Shark said:

I would play the game very cautiously especially when in towns or populated areas. Have the mindset that EVERYONE is a potential killer, and you could be dead before hitting the floor, as was the lifestyle in those days. Take things slow. Don't rush about in case you knock into people. Dismount your horse as soon as you can when visiting a town.

 

Refrain from drawing your gun. If someone starts arguing, try all you can to defuse it. If it results in a fist fight, use block far more than punching. I got into a fight in a saloon, unscripted event, completely uncalled for. I blocked mostly, only landing the odd punch to push back. Even though I knocked these NPCs out, I got no bounties and no one reported me to the law. It was almost as though the game knew I was far more defensive rather than going all out fist flying to beat the enemies to death.

 

Caution, restraint, defense.

This..

Don't rush, take your time. When arriving in a place well populated, ride your horse slowly to avoid hurting people and be careful when you walk too.

 

Don't worry too much tho, for example you can talk your way out if you bump into someone, diffuse the situation and walk away, you don't want no trouble.

 

Always try to diffuse the situation if anything happen, pull out your gun only at the last resort.

And take into account your surrounding, you don't want to gun blaze in a Saints Denis busy street, sometimes the solution is to run.

 

It depend of what happen, in a situation like you described where you defend yourself, you are not forced to run away everytime, you can wait for the sheriff and try to talk your way out.

Note that from what I experienced I never got wanted when defending myself, also don't kick people on the ground when they are KO, this is considered as a murder.

 

Really, act like an actual human, be cautious and one thing; handle every NPC's like an actual human being.

 

Forgot to mention some things about what you said, getting a bounty when you tried to collect the money.

 

If someone saw you, let's say in a ranch; you can shoot him in the back but you can guess the consequences if someone see you, hear the shot or find the body; run after him and grab him then menace him to make him shut his mouth off; you can fire a warning shot to make him stop running with the d-pad up then R2.

 

Don't forget to put a mask on or a bandana, it can be useful, but be also cautious cause some people will notice it.

 

There is many way to handle a situation.

 

And partner, keep in mind that

"If nobody sees it, it didn't happen".

Edited October 30, 2018 by anthony

[RyuNova]

Wailing on someone for a single punch will get you a Bounty but as the above poster said, make the attacker the aggressor and let the NPC's around see that they are assaulting you and then kick their asses.

[¡MAYDAY!]

You don't have to pay off bounties ya know. It's fun cuz then you get random shootouts whenever the bounty hunters find you and they are easily taken care of.

[AmyStone]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think you're right that I'm playing it like GTA and I had no idea how complex the game was. It seems like it's a lot closer to real life and I have to think about everything I do and the consequences of that if people see me.

 

So I have a follow up question. So far I've been making small amounts of money from hunting and doing a few missions. What other ways are there of getting money that won't reduce my honour? I'm not expecting free or easy money (because that's just boring) but it would be nice to make more than the few dollars I get from hunting for an hour.

[White Shark]

5 minutes ago, AmyStone said:

Thanks for all of the replies. I think you're right that I'm playing it like GTA and I had no idea how complex the game was. It seems like it's a lot closer to real life and I have to think about everything I do and the consequences of that if people see me.

 

So I have a follow up question. So far I've been making small amounts of money from hunting and doing a few missions. What other ways are there of getting money that won't reduce my honour? I'm not expecting free or easy money (because that's just boring) but it would be nice to make more than the few dollars I get from hunting for an hour.

You know the burnt out town close to your camp? Search the burnt out sheriff's office. There's a gold bar stashed there. Sell it for $500 at a fence. I'm quite the scavenger and loot every body I can after a mission, and search any abandoned shack or building for trinkets and jewellery. Also sell these at a fence.

[HopalongCasidy]

8 minutes ago, White Shark said:

You know the burnt out town close to your camp? Search the burnt out sheriff's office. There's a gold bar stashed there. Sell it for $500 at a fence. I'm quite the scavenger and loot every body I can after a mission, and search any abandoned shack or building for trinkets and jewellery. Also sell these at a fence.

Two very good suggestions right here.   R* makes their open world games to explore.  Fortune favors the bold.  If you see a building, check it out.  Same with a tent or a dead body.  

 

Other money makers: 

 

1. Legendary animals.   One of my favorite throwbacks to the hunting challenges from the first.  When you come into an area one resides in, you will get a notification.  Search for clues, kill the beast, then take them to a tracker.  He pays decently, and it also improves your everyday hunting skill.

2. Swiping carriages.   Put your bandana/executioner's hood on, first.  Steal a carriage and take it to the fence in emerald ranch.  I got $ 40.00 for basically a passenger stage.  That's the only time I have done it, but my guess is the wagons carrying lumber and oil pay more. 

3. Treasure hunts.   

[Lonely-Martin]

Also, to post the obvious a tad, story progress too. I'm in chapter 4 now and with looting, the odd pelt and what-not, sitting on $1500+ and a fully upgraded camp with a 2k kitty.

[HockeyMike24]

I found planning out my illegal activity was really useful for me and helped a lot. For example when I rob a stage coach I check for witnesses, put my mask on and approach. If things go wrong or get out of hand, I escape the area.

 

Do what you would do if you were actually in the situation for real.

[saintsrow]

In the other thread on this topic, I griped that the heavy-handed bounty system is going to discourage RDR2 long term post-story replay value, where players just want to bum around in the world  without starting a new game.  Perhaps the bounty system is meant to drive everyone to RD Online.  This would be analogous to GTAV and GTA Online.  

 

[Mister Pink]

1 hour ago, HockeyMike24 said:

I found planning out my illegal activity was really useful for me and helped a lot. For example when I rob a stage coach I check for witnesses, put my mask on and approach. If things go wrong or get out of hand, I escape the area.

 

Do what you would do if you were actually in the situation for real.

This is really the crux of it for me. And if you keep your mind open to the fact that there's a high probability you can and will fail some robberies, then I think it's more realistic to have those expectations. I think some (not referring to OP, just some players) players are almost coddled into winning all the time and that if they want to rob a stagecoach they expect to "win" but when they see its harder than usual, they get frustrated at start blaming the game's mechanics. 

Edited October 30, 2018 by Mister Pink

[RyuNova]

I can confirm that you wont get in trouble if you are actually defending yourself. Remember that the NPC's actually need to see you doing stuff so if a guy socks you and when everyone turns around /arrives you are just f*cking wailing on this dude and beating him half to death you look like the aggressor.

Just block and dodge until a few people arrive and are watching and then lay his ass out, you wont get in trouble.

[Cutter De Blanc]

Well, I bought a brand new outfit, left the general store, popped on a mask, then went to the gunsmith, stabbed the store owner, robbed him and stole all the ammo. Didn't get caught for it, odd since I did it in broad daylight. Just lucky, I guess

[White Shark]

33 minutes ago, RyuNova said:

I can confirm that you wont get in trouble if you are actually defending yourself. Remember that the NPC's actually need to see you doing stuff so if a guy socks you and when everyone turns around /arrives you are just f*cking wailing on this dude and beating him half to death you look like the aggressor.

Just block and dodge until a few people arrive and are watching and then lay his ass out, you wont get in trouble.

Lol this made me laugh. People turn a corner and see you utterly pounding the guy to death, and they shout for help as you try and declare your innocence saying "but he started it!!!"

 

But yes, this is so true. I had two guys on me and I blocked all their initial attacks whilst trying to back away. Some people watched whilst others walked off in fear. When I finally punched back and knocked them out, I was free to carry on as normal with no wanted status or other aggressors.

[Tonesta]

5 hours ago, Nutduster said:

 

In general it seems like the bounty system is pretty harsh.  If you don't want them on you, stay out of trouble in towns or around groups of people that aren't designated enemies (meaning people like O'Driscolls - you won't get in trouble for fighting with them).  Keep your crimes to isolated people in the middle of nowhere as much as possible.  I quickly racked up a $185 bounty in New Hanover by starting random hell a few times in Valentine (once due to me moving too fast on my horse and trampling someone by accident).  After I paid it off, I've started taking it very easy when I'm in town.  I move around slowly and I keep my guns holstered.

Is this definitely true? If I get hassled by a couple of O'Driscolls, can I just pull out my strap and lay them busters down, without getting in trouble with the law? Or do I have to just beat them in a fair fist fight?

 

I actually ran away from a fight with a pair of them yesterday, because I'd just paid off my bounty (which I'd received for beating the drunk trapper guy in the Valentine saloon into the ground - totally worth it for that racoon hat!) and didn't want to go through that whole thing again. But I felt shame whilst doing it, and had to go find and wipe out a hidden O'Driscoll camp afterwards just to make myself feel better......

[RyuNova]

3 minutes ago, White Shark said:

Lol this made me laugh. People turn a corner and see you utterly pounding the guy to death, and they shout for help as you try and declare your innocence saying "but he started it!!!"

 

That's exactly what happens. I mean, realistically if you heard a commotion and found some guy beating another guy half to death who are you going to assume is the villain? 

[Nutduster]

4 minutes ago, Tonesta said:

Is this definitely true? If I get hassled by a couple of O'Driscolls, can I just pull out my strap and lay them busters down, without getting in trouble with the law? Or do I have to just beat them in a fair fist fight?

 

 

Regulators, mount up!

 

It may depend where they are hassling you and how. If they are red dots on the minimap, those are considered hostile enemies and you are safe to murder them wantonly (in self-defense, of course).  I've had several encounters in various places outside of towns with O'Driscolls and bandits, and once they aimed a weapon at me I murdered everyone without getting a bounty.  If you run into them in a town, it might be different, as they might be making a half-assed attempt to keep the peace.  I'm still exploring the system myself.

[Tonesta]

3 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

 

Regulators, mount up!

 

It may depend where they are hassling you and how. If they are red dots on the minimap, those are considered hostile enemies and you are safe to murder them wantonly (in self-defense, of course).  I've had several encounters in various places outside of towns with O'Driscolls and bandits, and once they aimed a weapon at me I murdered everyone without getting a bounty.  If you run into them in a town, it might be different, as they might be making a half-assed attempt to keep the peace.  I'm still exploring the system myself.

Cheers - for both the extra info, and for proving that I'm not the only soul on this forum that remembers the early 90s!

[Jimbatron]

1 hour ago, Cutter De Blanc said:

Well, I bought a brand new outfit, left the general store, popped on a mask, then went to the gunsmith, stabbed the store owner, robbed him and stole all the ammo. Didn't get caught for it, odd since I did it in broad daylight. Just lucky, I guess

I’m guessing you kept the noise down (no gunshot if you stabbed him) was a big factor?

[Original Light]

I found a somewhat beneficial trick. If you have a large bounty, and don't want to pay it off... donate all of your money to the camp donation box. Go to the town with the bounty, commit a small crime (antagonizing a sheriff or deputy will do the trick), and surrender. You will get out of jail with no bounty. They can't take your money since you don't have any, you donated all of it to your gang. The money you donated can be used for upgrades and whatnot. 

 

Another work-around is buying an expensive gun or something beneficial before turning yourself in, that way they don't have any money to take from you and the bounty still goes away. You're at least putting the money you do have to good use when getting rid of it, which is a better alternative than all of your money going to the bounty. 

Edited October 30, 2018 by Original Light

[Nutduster]

21 minutes ago, Original Light said:

I found a somewhat beneficial trick. If you have a large bounty, and don't want to pay it off... donate all of your money to the camp donation box. Go to the town with the bounty, commit a small crime (antagonizing a sheriff or deputy will do the trick), and surrender. You will get out of jail with no bounty. They can't take your money since you don't have any, you donated all of it to your gang. The money you donated can be used for upgrades and whatnot. 

 

 

Too bad you can't bank it in the camp and withdraw it.  I always like to play with a certain cash buffer - as much as I hate paying bounties, I think I'd hate being flat broke even more.

[ALifeOfMisery]

18 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

 

Too bad you can't bank it in the camp and withdraw it.

Yeah, it would have been a good feature if Arthur had something like an old coffee tin stashed under his bed at the camp so you could "bank" personal money at camp, instead of having to carry everything you don't donate.

[Nutduster]

1 minute ago, ALifeOfMisery said:

Yeah, it would have been a good feature if Arthur had something like an old coffee tin stashed under his bed at the camp so you could "bank" personal money at camp, instead of having to carry everything you don't donate.

 

This is actually something I really want them to patch in: camp storage.  A cash tin would make perfect sense, but a storage trunk for pelts, valuables and supplies would be even better.  I still haven't quite figured out what I'm meant to do with something like a legendary pelt, other than immediately ride straight to the trapper to sell it; being able to store it at camp for a while would be a huge boon.

[CaptHayes]

The guide has a flow chart in explaining the layout of the judiciary system. I could probably send it via pm if people want it.

[Cutter De Blanc]

1 hour ago, Jimbatron said:

I’m guessing you kept the noise down (no gunshot if you stabbed him) was a big factor?

I assume most of the factors I mentioned were in play, including my new outfit. Definitely felt badass getting away with it, taking off my mask and walking out the front door and riding out of town

[Dr.Rosenthal]

I love how fast things can spiral out of control in this game. As others have said, you really have to go with a "peaceful" approach if you want to avoid trouble. And if peaceful fails, go smart, lol.

 

Early on, I was out riding peacefully but accidentally rode straight into a walking NPC, so I had to defend myself against him. But naturally, people saw me as the aggressor, and not much later I was on the run from the law with a bounty of $50 on me. And I just wanted to go for a quiet ride in the woods.