Smooth criminal: tips and tricks

[Nutduster]

A thread for highly specific advice on criminality.

 

I'll offer two, and hopefully add more later as I learn more about what you can get away with:

 

- Don't rob moving trains, or even a stopped train in the open. You'll get mobbed by lawmen and end up with a bounty so high it isn't worth it. Buy a train ticket to Annesburg, then just stay on the train until it enters the long tunnel up north (where it says Grizzlies East on the map). Then kill the guards, sprint to the engine, kill the driver, stop the train, equip your lantern (it's pitch black in there otherwise), and take your time cleaning the place out. If you have a mask on for all this, you should be golden.

 

- For a good store to rob with a clean getaway, look to the general store in Strawberry. There's a fast river that runs out of town - follow it downhill out of the town limits and leave your horse there. Then equip your mask and an outfit you only use for robberies. Run into town and hold up the general store. When you leave, sprint left out of the door and climb over the water trough - you'll fall into the rapids and get swept down to where your horse waits, gone before the law even starts looking. I've hit that store using this method three times and have yet to be recognized.

Edited November 12, 2018 by Nutduster

[Sonny_Black]

• Robbing a business that does not have an exit door is usually not a good idea.
• If you are robbing a business make sure nobody is watching the windows.
• Scout the place you are going to rob to discover the best moment to do it.
• Observe lawman patrols and see where their office is located. 
• If you are hearing people coming when you are standing near dead bodies (whether you are in town or in the wilderness) hide ASAP (/flee away) and put a bandana on. You never know if one will mind his own businesses, flee away or investigating and try to report the crime.
• Near potential places where people can arrive, don't instantly loot dead people, make sure you don't hear anything and that nobody is coming first.

Edited November 12, 2018 by anthony

[Nutduster]

11 hours ago, anthony said:

• Observe lawman patrols and see where their office is located. 

 

That's a big one that I forgot about.  The closer the store is to the sheriff's office, the more likely it is you'll get recognized on your way out.  I hate robbing the doctor's in Valentine for that reason, it's literally right next door AND with no rear exit (except a barred door you can't open).

[CrimsonFolo]

One time i robbed a store and things went south. Two lawmen were on their way to the shop so i hid in the back before anyone could see me. The lawmen entered, looked around for like 10 seconds and then gave up. So if a robbery goes bad and no one has identified you and you can't exit the building without being seen by an approaching lawmen, you could try hiding in the back if you can and you might get lucky.

[DentureDynamite]

Excellent thread.

 

* If escaping with lawmen after you, one of the better places to go is up hill (e.g. in Valentine, there's a fairly large hill nearby)--it narrows the stream of lawmen, giving you a better chance of nailing them as they approach; also makes things like molotov cocktails fire bottles and dynamite more effective.

 

* (Should be obvious, but...) Don't try swimming out into a lake to evade lawmen. You can't out-swim their bullets. lol

 

I still don't know why R* doesn't allow players to swim underwater in an otherwise very detailed game; go figure.

Edited November 15, 2018 by DentureDynamite

[Ring Dang Do]

When robbing an illegal business you should pistol whip the criminals inside instead of killing them and you won't get a bounty and the law won't come.

[Nutduster]

46 minutes ago, Ring Dang Do said:

When robbing an illegal business you should pistol whip the criminals inside instead of killing them and you won't get a bounty and the law won't come.

 

Really? That's a huge tip, gotta try that next time.

 

[Hatin Since 87]

This is an awesome thread. Sorry I don’t have any tips to add, but this thread is perfect. Thanks

[Nutduster]

Oh here's another: if you are running from the law and have been recognized already, and you have one persistent lawman on you but don't want to jack up your bounty further than necessary, just lasso him off his horse and immediately release.  It adds a little to your bounty but less than a murder will, and he'll never get back on his horse in time to catch you.

[¡MAYDAY!]

1 hour ago, Ring Dang Do said:

When robbing an illegal business you should pistol whip the criminals inside instead of killing them and you won't get a bounty and the law won't come.

How do you pistols whip?

[Nutduster]

4 minutes ago, ¡MAYDAY! said:

How do you pistols whip?

 

Just sprint up to them and hit the melee button with a gun equipped.

[Ring Dang Do]

12 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

 

Just sprint up to them and hit the melee button with a gun equipped.

What they said, so it's circle on the PlayStation but not sure about xbox. Just need to make sure your pistol is equipped.

39 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

 

Really? That's a huge tip, gotta try that next time.

 

It worked for me on one of the shops that has an illegal back business.

 

first time I went in and shot and killed the 2 criminals in the shop and I immediately got a bounty and the lawmen soon arrived.

 

I then reloaded a save, went in again but this time I pistol whipped them and it was ok. I guess maybe if you don't kill them then they can't really call the law on you for robbing their illegal business.

[Smokewood]

17 hours ago, Nutduster said:

A thread for highly specific advice on criminality.

 

I'll offer two, and hopefully add more later as I learn more about what you can get away with:

 

- Don't rob moving trains, or even a stopped train in the open. You'll get mobbed by lawmen and end up with a bounty so high it isn't worth it. Buy a train ticket to Annesburg, then just stay on the train until it enters the long tunnel up north (where it says Grizzlies East on the map). Then kill the guards, sprint to the engine, kill the driver, stop the train, equip your lantern (it's pitch black in there otherwise), and take your time cleaning the place out. If you have a mask on for all this, you should be golden.

 

- For a good store to rob with a clean getaway, look to the general store in Strawberry. There's a fast river that runs out of town - follow it downhill out of the town limits and leave your horse there. Then equip your mask and an outfit you only use for robberies. Run into town and hold up the general store. When you leave, sprint left out of the door and climb over the water trough - you'll fall into the rapids and get swept down to where your horse waits, gone before the law even starts looking. I've hit that store using this method three times and have yet to be recognized.

I have three outfits saved on my horse.

1. Hot weather

2. Cold weather

3. Stone cold killer!

[Cutter De Blanc]

Alright now, just to check, I have a huge bounty on my head in Lemoyne ($1350 at the moment), and I had just ran out of Saint Denis after trampling someone in the marketplace.  The law investigated but were unable to find me since I'd gotten the f*ck out of there. So what I do, I change into another outfit from my horse and put on the executioner hood, and ride the f*ck back into the city. Some woman comments, "They say only bandits wear masks." I pull out my carbine and load express ammo in it and she runs off. I ride back to the marketplace, leave the horse for a quick escape,  slowly walk up, enter Dead eye, and shoot seven people through head. I unload a few more clips into the crowd of fleeing people who are bottlenecked at the only other exit to the marketplace,  and then ride off, crime reported, then Wanted: Unknown Suspect. I ride out of town again until the heat dies down, and check, my bounty hasn't gone up at all.

 

So there you have it, with a little proper planning you can gun down a marketplace in the city filled with people in broad daylight,  and get away with it.

[Kirk Lazarus]

On 11/11/2018 at 7:13 PM, Nutduster said:

- Don't rob moving trains, or even a stopped train in the open. You'll get mobbed by lawmen and end up with a bounty so high it isn't worth it. Buy a train ticket to Annesburg, then just stay on the train until it enters the long tunnel up north (where it says Grizzlies East on the map). Then kill the guards, sprint to the engine, kill the driver, stop the train, equip your lantern (it's pitch black in there otherwise), and take your time cleaning the place out. If you have a mask on for all this, you should be golden.

So... if a train bridge gets blown out, does anyone know if it comes back repaired later in the game?  Or if this does happen, trains never travel that route anymore?

[¡MAYDAY!]

33 minutes ago, Cutter De Blanc said:

Alright now, just to check, I have a huge bounty on my head in Lemoyne ($1350 at the moment), and I had just ran out of Saint Denis after trampling someone in the marketplace.  The law investigated but were unable to find me since I'd gotten the f*ck out of there. So what I do, I change into another outfit from my horse and put on the executioner hood, and ride the f*ck back into the city. Some woman comments, "They say only bandits wear masks." I pull out my carbine and load express ammo in it and she runs off. I ride back to the marketplace, leave the horse for a quick escape,  slowly walk up, enter Dead eye, and shoot seven people through head. I unload a few more clips into the crowd of fleeing people who are bottlenecked at the only other exit to the marketplace,  and then ride off, crime reported, then Wanted: Unknown Suspect. I ride out of town again until the heat dies down, and check, my bounty hasn't gone up at all.

 

So there you have it, with a little proper planning you can gun down a marketplace in the city filled with people in broad daylight,  and get away with it.

I don't even think you need to bother with changing outfits. I never change my outfit, just use the bandana and I never get bounties.

[Sonny_Black]

Stealing a stagecoach

 

  Preparation:

1. Choose a small town like Valentine with a decent activity (Valentine is useful because there is the guy not too far at Emerald Ranch who buy stolen stagecoaches).
2. Look for a path (isolated if possible) where stagecoaches use to come and go into town.
3. The location should be filled with foliage and vegetation.
4. Hide and tie your horse not too far. (*put a mask on)
5. Hide and crouch in the bush near the road, someplace where you have a good view on both side.
6. Put your bandana on.

       (Advice: *Once you've chosen a path, wait and see if there is lot of 'traffic' lot of people who goes through there, if yes, I would suggest to go someplace else where it is more quiet.)

 

  Stealing:

     (Advice: *Avoid stagecoach with two driver. *Make sure there is nobody around when you decide to make your move, don't take risks let it go, even if it were only for a rider.)

1. Once the stagecoach is arriving and is close enough: take your weapon out, prepare yourself to point your weapon directly on the driver; call your horse, stand up and rush on the middle of the road in front of of the stagecoach while keeping your distance.
2. Aim the driver and ask him to get off the stagecoach. (*stealing the vehicle)
3. At this point, two things can happen:

                                                                    1. The driver cooperate; approach him quickly while he is getting off the stagecoach and knock him out with your weapon.

                                                                                                Get on the stagecoach and ride away immediately.

                                                                                           Note that I stole two stagecoach and the drivers did not cooperate, I don't actually know what could happen if they

                                                                    cooperate.

                                                                                           2. The driver does not cooperate, instead he pulls out his weapon and start shooting at you.

                                                                                                Kill him and get out of the way fast, stagecoach's horses will panic and ride away, that's okay they usually don't go far, mount your

                                                                                                horse and catch up.

                                                                                                Don't forget to keep an eye for anybody that could arrive; dismount your horse, get on the stagecoach and ride away.

 

      4. You should be clear to bring the stagecoach to a fence and sell it.

 

Note: Anyone know if there is some other fence where you can bring stolen horses and stagecoaches ?

Edited November 22, 2018 by anthony

[Ayesha]

On 11/14/2018 at 4:20 PM, Cutter De Blanc said:

Alright now, just to check, I have a huge bounty on my head in Lemoyne ($1350 at the moment), and I had just ran out of Saint Denis after trampling someone in the marketplace.  The law investigated but were unable to find me since I'd gotten the f*ck out of there. So what I do, I change into another outfit from my horse and put on the executioner hood, and ride the f*ck back into the city. Some woman comments, "They say only bandits wear masks." I pull out my carbine and load express ammo in it and she runs off. I ride back to the marketplace, leave the horse for a quick escape,  slowly walk up, enter Dead eye, and shoot seven people through head. I unload a few more clips into the crowd of fleeing people who are bottlenecked at the only other exit to the marketplace,  and then ride off, crime reported, then Wanted: Unknown Suspect. I ride out of town again until the heat dies down, and check, my bounty hasn't gone up at all.

 

So there you have it, with a little proper planning you can gun down a marketplace in the city filled with people in broad daylight,  and get away with it.

Wonder if this works when you have no bounty in that region. I'll try this today.

[HopalongCasidy]

7 hours ago, anthony said:

Stealing a stagecoach

 

  Preparation:

1. Choose a small town like Valentine with a decent activity (Valentine is useful because there is the guy not too far at Emerald Ranch who buy stolen stagecoaches).
2. Look for a path (isolated if possible) where stagecoaches use to come and go into town.
3. The location should be filled with foliage and vegetation.
4. Hide and tie your horse not too far. (*put a mask on)
5. Hide and crouch in the bush near the road, someplace where you have a good view on both side.
6. Put your bandana on.

       (Advice: *Once you've chosen a path, wait and see if there is lot of 'traffic' lot of people who goes through there, if yes, I would suggest to go someplace else where it is more quiet.)

 

  Stealing:

     (Advice: *Avoid stagecoach with two driver. *Make sure there is nobody around when you decide to make your move, don't take risks let it go, even if it were only for a rider.)

1. Once the stagecoach is arriving and is close enough: take your weapon out, prepare yourself to point your weapon directly on the driver; call your horse, stand up and rush on the middle of the road in front of of the stagecoach while keeping your distance.
2. Aim the driver and ask him to get off the stagecoach. (*stealing the vehicle)
3. At this point, two things can happen:

                                                                    1. The driver cooperate; approach him quickly while he is getting off the stagecoach and knock him out with your weapon.

                                                                                                Get on the stagecoach and ride away immediately.

                                                                                           Note that I stole two stagecoach and the drivers did not cooperate, I don't actually know what could happen if they

                                                                    cooperate.

                                                                                           2. The driver does not cooperate, instead he pulls out his weapon and start shooting at you.

                                                                                                Kill him and get out of the way fast, stagecoach's horses will panic and ride away, that's okay they usually don't go far, mount your

                                                                                                horse and catch up.

                                                                                                Don't forget to keep an eye for anybody that could arrive; dismount your horse, get on the stagecoach and ride away.

 

      4. You should be clear to bring the stagecoach to a fence and sell it.

 

Note: Anyone know if there is some other fence where you can bring stolen horses and stagecoaches ?

Or ride up beside solo driver stage leaving oil derricks, jump to wagon> profit.

[paddymcg]

1 hour ago, HopalongCasidy said:

Or ride up beside solo driver stage leaving oil derricks, jump to wagon> profit.

Yep this is the better method. I used this to farm wagons for the bandit challenge. 

 

even if there's 2 drivers I'd usually just ride along side it, kill them both with arrows, jump to the wagon then sell it. Everytime I came out from the fence another wagon had spawned nearby so it was just rinse and repeat.

[Nutduster]

You can actually steal any stage by jumping to it from your horse. If there is more than one occupant, they'll all bail, or Arthur will push them off. Some will shoot at you - just ride off fast. I've done this 10+ times and never gotten a bounty or gotten hit by more than a bullet or two. No need to hold them up and no need to murder anyone unless you feel like it. Only the ones with armed escorts (which is a mission-specific thing, I think) need to be stopped.

 

Honestly it's almost too easy. It would be better if passengers sometimes stayed on and fought you a little bit.

Edited November 22, 2018 by Nutduster

[Guest Guest176525326]

On 11/12/2018 at 5:26 PM, DentureDynamite said:

 

* (Should be obvious, but...) Don't try swimming out into a lake to evade lawmen. You can't out-swim their bullets. lol

 

Good tip, especially when you are playing as John