Red Dead Online - Ability Card Wiki & Combos

[Talisman_83]

On 12/17/2019 at 4:44 PM, Stretch188 said:

Is Slippery Bastard viable again? I play on free aim and only ever really used it defensively, so it would allow me to even the playing field should someone attack me and get into close range where I can do work.

 

After reading how some people were abusing it, I understand why they nerfed it, and tbh, defensive mode accomplishes most of what I used it for anyways.  I still hate it though - I spent close to 1000$ upgrading a card that now functions completely differently, and I don't even have any other Deadeye cards upgraded lol.

 

Can you guys help me find a new loadout?

 

Im trying to RP a real capital G Gunslinger - I now only ever carry my Remington 1858 and my Colt 1851(I mean my two Navy revolvers) throwing knives, and when I get to BH rank 10, Bolas. Oh and I suck at using tonics - I either just don't remember or can't be bothered lol. I aim for the chest with my revolvers, and if I run out of bullets, I switch to the throwing knife with quick select and go for the throat - but thats really just a last resort.

 

Right now I use:

 

Deadeye: Slow and Steady I

 

Passive 1: Winning Streak III

Passive 2: Gunslinger's Choice II

Passive 3: Strange Medicine I

 

I'm pretty happy with the passives, and Ill upgrade gunslingers choice as soon as I've got the cash - the only spot I'm really not sure on is 3 - I've got Peak Condition 2, and I've always wanted to throw Short Game on as well but I don't know if the damage increase is worth sacrificing my ability to heal. Is there a really good one I'm sleepin on?

 

I don't love Slow and Steady - it just looks dumb to me when I am being riddled with bullets - but it has saved me from alot of griefers. I've considered trying to make Slippery work again, Focus Fire, Paint it Black or Quite an Inspiration.

 

What you fellers/gals think?

In my opinion, ditch Slow and Steady and defense cards like FMO and IL.

As far as I can tell, SNS was nerfed as well as the tonic nerf, meaning tank builds aren't OP anymore. There's videos of guys in SNS being torn to shreds .

Learn PIB or Slippery and equip damage cards.

Faster time to kill should be your priority.

 

I'm still playing around with builds, but I tend to switch between these two:

 

1. PIB build

 

Paint It Black

Peak Condition

Winning Streak

Landon's Patience

 

(using bow, double barrel shotgun, dual mausers and sometimes switching to a sniper)

 

2. Slippery Build (as PIB isn't 100% effective against it anymore)

 

Slippery Bastard

Peak Condition

Winning Streak

Sharpshooter (or The Unblinking Eye as SB drains so fast)

 

(using sniper, semi auto shotgun and dual mausers)

 

Edit: Tested slippery tonight paired with Unblinking Eye, FMO and NWO.

Unbelievable. It was like my friend who was using this build was in godmode.

Also, must've hit him with 10 headshots - no effect.

PIB seemed useless against it.

Mind you we were using bolt actions at close range. Didn't test shotgun or bow.

So, I take back what I said about ditching defense cards

Edited January 2, 2020 by Talisman_83

[Quahox]

So after the nerf of the PiB i did some tests and builds that are counter action to it and they are based on Slippery Bastard.

PvP Dual Wield

   

So this build perfectly counters the PiB (does not counter snipers and bows). It's designed for dual wield. Peak Condition for extra damage and Unblinking eye to cover dead eye drain.

PvP Sniper

   

This one obviously it's designed for scopes / bow (this build is weak against shotguns). Peak Condition for extra damage and Unblinking eye to cover dead eye drain.
Best to use it in Free Aim lobbies + 2 sniper rifles. Carcano short scope / Rolling block long scope + Pistols like Semi Auto or Mausers.

PvP Lasso Fun

   

Since the Hangman also got a buff - this is just for fun. Lasso someone and he dies. Sharpshooter for the damage with scopes. Peak Condition for extra damage.

PvP All range

   

This build is for mid to long distance pvp fights. Sharpshooter for the damage with scopes. Peak Condition for extra damage.
Best to use it in Free Aim lobbies + 2 sniper rifles. Carcano short scope / Rolling block long scope + Pistols like Semi Auto or Mausers.

[fryday]

My combination concentrates on PVE situations with lots of enemies, which leads to wild shootouts.

So im basically a tank, which can take a lot of damage, while killing

 

paint it black (I use dead eye only at the beginning of an attack)

cold blooded

strange medicine

fool me once

[Dexter_Raminus]

Can someone tell me a bit more about Quite An Inspiration? I chose this as it is described as a health regen card and useful in PVE but I've tried using it and it appears to do, well, nothing at all.

 

Like, I'm watching my deadeye tick down and my health isn't changing at all as far as I can see. Is it bugged? Is it because I'm just using the base card? Does it not show any visible results until you've upgraded it?

 

I don't want to drop a ton of cash upgrading it if it's bugged or something.

 

Generally looking for info on this card as I'd like to make it work. 

 

I mainly do PVE and like gunfights with NPCs but I feel quite squishy and would like to remedy this so I've gone for Come Back Stronger (still considering Strange Medicine or Cold Blooded, however), Fool Me Once, and Winning Streak for a bit more damage.

[ALifeOfMisery]

13 minutes ago, Dexter_Raminus said:

Can someone tell me a bit more about Quite An Inspiration? I chose this as it is described as a health regen card and useful in PVE but I've tried using it and it appears to do, well, nothing at all.

 

Like, I'm watching my deadeye tick down and my health isn't changing at all as far as I can see. Is it bugged? Is it because I'm just using the base card? Does it not show any visible results until you've upgraded it?

 

I don't want to drop a ton of cash upgrading it if it's bugged or something.

 

Generally looking for info on this card as I'd like to make it work. 

 

I mainly do PVE and like gunfights with NPCs but I feel quite squishy and would like to remedy this so I've gone for Come Back Stronger (still considering Strange Medicine or Cold Blooded, however), Fool Me Once, and Winning Streak for a bit more damage.

I use QAI and, like all ability cards, it's much more effective at tier 3. I'd also recommend pairing it with The Unblinking Eye.

 

It's especially good when trying to drag lower levels through Story Missions as you can regenerate their health.

[kcole4001]

I guess I should spend some time and money on a showdown set of cards, I've got the basic all 'round PvE set and a couple of alternates levelled up.

Getting used to playing differently is the hard part!

 

This is a great thread!

Makes choices easy.

[Classique]

12 minutes ago, Dexter_Raminus said:

Can someone tell me a bit more about Quite An Inspiration? I chose this as it is described as a health regen card and useful in PVE but I've tried using it and it appears to do, well, nothing at all.

 

Like, I'm watching my deadeye tick down and my health isn't changing at all as far as I can see. Is it bugged? Is it because I'm just using the base card? Does it not show any visible results until you've upgraded it?

 

I don't want to drop a ton of cash upgrading it if it's bugged or something.

 

Generally looking for info on this card as I'd like to make it work. 

 

I mainly do PVE and like gunfights with NPCs but I feel quite squishy and would like to remedy this so I've gone for Come Back Stronger (still considering Strange Medicine or Cold Blooded, however), Fool Me Once, and Winning Streak for a bit more damage.

Strange. The health regeneration isn't so noticable at Level I, but should definitely do a difference. Could possibly be a bug, I'll test my Level III QAI card and get back to ya'.

"A Moment To Recuperate" card definitely increases your health regeneration - combined with "The Unblinking Eye", it makes for a good health regen combo though!

 

 

 

I'm personally rocking:

 

   

 

98/100 times I get into a shootout, it's in a PVE. 

Strange Medicine is definitely a card to consider, as it's super good in PVE. It gives me another perspective; "should I risk shooting that NPC before he shoots me?". It offers me an alternative other than chugging tonics, and I like that. 

[BUT THE BENZ]

I feel like buying some new cards just for the cool images. 

 

[Dexter_Raminus]

Ok so QAI at level 2 is a noticable improvement and I like it so gonna stick with that. I've swapped to The Unblinking Eye which seems to pair well with it and I've stuck with Winning Streak and Come Back Stronger.

 

This combo works ok but I am wondering whether to swap Come Back Stronger for A Kick In The Butt.

 

I was thinking that together with Unblinking Eye this might keep my DeadEye going in a fight and thus keep my health regen going, but it depends whether the health regen from Come Back Stronger is better.

 

Thoughts?

[ALifeOfMisery]

2 hours ago, Dexter_Raminus said:

Ok so QAI at level 2 is a noticable improvement and I like it so gonna stick with that. I've swapped to The Unblinking Eye which seems to pair well with it and I've stuck with Winning Streak and Come Back Stronger.

 

This combo works ok but I am wondering whether to swap Come Back Stronger for A Kick In The Butt.

 

I was thinking that together with Unblinking Eye this might keep my DeadEye going in a fight and thus keep my health regen going, but it depends whether the health regen from Come Back Stronger is better.

 

Thoughts?

If you're getting lots of kills, missions like Destroyed by Grief and Bring a Goddamn Posse are good for this, you can keep QAI running with the help of TUE throughout entire gunfights.

 

Being able to keep health regen going for all players in your mission is a really valuable ability, especially if you aren't playing with a group of players you know.

[Quahox]

Ok so i getting back after a break - are there any good builds now days?

[Caysle]

I found a good build from a pvp youtuber, it makes sense I use it myself

PIB
Winning Streak
Fool Me Once
Peak Condition

PIB for the perfect accuracy. different from first game all guns have spread now and camera gets janky quite a lot. PIB counters both
WS for increased damage to others
FMO decreased damage to us
get max overweight and equip PC. yeah you drain stamina more (7.5% max) but you take less damage (7.5% max again). thanks to this card bad effects of being a fatass are negated and you get a damage increase as long as your stamina core is full. keep it full with cooked meats

so in short this build gets you 2 damage increasing effects (from WS and PC, as long as stamina core is full) and the damage you take is decreased (FMO and 7.5% decrease fatass bonus). PC negates fatassery by giving you a stamina bonus. to my knowledge none of these cards have any negative effects so you good on all fronts

tfw when you literally get less than a dollar for every man you killed, truly it's a wild west game

Edited April 25, 2020 by Caysle

[Talisman_83]

I run Paint It Black, Fool Me Once, Iron Lung and Peak Condition.

However, I do swap PC for Sharpshooter, should it be a long distance fight.

[DontGetClose1990]

Pve : Slow and steady strange medicine cold blooded and eye for an eye.

 

Im like terminator with non stop dead eye and infinite health

 

Pvp : slow and steady winning streak fool me once and fight for another day (since we run alot in showdown)

 

Of course im changing my passive ability cards depending on the showdown itself or maybe free roam pvp against griefer. I ditch peak condition and iron lung because my character is overweight so any stamina cards will do favor to my enemy since my stamina run out so quickly.

Edited April 26, 2020 by DontGetClose1990

[jmmontoro]

This is incredible information, I had no idea what the cards actually did, now I'm going to pay attention into developing and investing in them.

[DontGetClose1990]

On 4/26/2020 at 4:26 AM, Caysle said:

equip PC. yeah you drain stamina more (7.5% max) but you take less damage (7.5% max again). thanks to this card bad effects of being a fatass are negated and you get a damage increase as long as your stamina core is full. keep it full with cooked meat.

Peak Condition

The Peak Condition Ability Card increases damage dealt to enemies if the Stamina bar is at least 75% full.

 

You inflict much more damage if your Stamina is at least 75% full. (level 3)

 

 

 

Ok so i want to clear things up just to avoid confusion,is it the core or that outside bar that make this PC card effective?

 

For me personally i believe that its based on outer bar rather than core itself and also the stamina drainage isnt fully covered by PC (not as bad compared to not using PC at all). I have overweight character now and he was underweight before so i know the difference.

 

Anyone?

Edited April 28, 2020 by DontGetClose1990

[Caysle]

4 minutes ago, DontGetClose1990 said:

Peak Condition

The Peak Condition Ability Card increases damage dealt to enemies if the Stamina bar is at least 75% full.

 

You inflict much more damage if your Stamina is at least 75% full. (level 3)

 

 

 

Ok so i want to clear things up just to avoid confusion,is it the core or that outside bar that make this PC card effective?

 

For me personally i believe that its based on outer bar rather than core itself and also the stamina drainage isnt fully covered by PC (not as bad compared to not using PC at all). I have overweight character now and he was underweight before so i know the difference.

 

Anyone?

I thought it was the core. that makes more sense

[Classique]

6 minutes ago, DontGetClose1990 said:

Ok so i want to clear things up just to avoid confusion,is it the core or that outside bar that make this PC card effective?

Yes, Peak Condition only affects your actual stamina, and not your stamina core.

[Caysle]

23 minutes ago, Classique said:

Yes, Peak Condition only affects your actual stamina, and not your stamina core.

is the damage increase worth for this card to occupy a slot

[Classique]

3 minutes ago, Caysle said:

is the damage increase worth for this card to occupy a slot

That largely depends on your playstyle, and what you expect from a deck. If you think having a damage increase and almost-infinite stamina is a must, then keep it. 

If you're going for more defense but still want some sort of stamina boost, Iron Lung can do the trick too.

[Caysle]

Is To Fight Another Day any good? I play without taking cover

[CosmicBuffalo]

I use Slippery, Nwithout1, fool me once, iron lung 90% of the time in free roam...just because changing the cards can be such a waste of time...some person might get a free shot if they are aggressive.  Thats my go to PVP build and it can be used on every type of gameplay including pve...but I would rather use PIB/Quite an Inspire, Iron Lung, Eye4anEye, and Unblinking Eye for PvE...but as stated the amount of time to change all these cards is really not worth the risk of allowing a free kill to someone because I am cheaping out on health tonics in PVE.  They really need a quick change for a 2nd build and allow multiple builds in a menu that requires going back through the forever loading menu system.

 

Dedensive mode build...focus fire, sharp shooter, iron lung, fool me once.

Edited April 30, 2020 by CosmicBuffalo

[Caysle]

PIB + WS + Sharpshooter + PC

with this build even evans can kill in 2-4 shots, carcano is one shot probably most of the time. to me defense cards seems pointless when you have tonics. I dont have a lot of experience with them though I usually go with cards with damage bonus

is Slippery Bastard worth trying with this build?

Edited May 2, 2020 by Caysle

[Quahox]

Slippery is only to counteract PiB. I'm also testing this build to close / mid range. So far so good results.

[Quahox]

I have encountered today group of Russians during sale... was standing still but they started... so i returned the favor with dynamite arrow directly to the cart. But... they had some interesting builds...







And they were good at PvP. With tonics ofc...

[Nerfgoth]

Could this build work in PvE?

Going to use or are already using melee weapons like the ancient tomahawk

 

Dead Eye card;

Quite an Inspiration

 

Strange medicine

Kick in the butt

Of single purpose

[Quahox]

2 hours ago, Nerfgoth said:

Could this build work in PvE?

Going to use or are already using melee weapons like the ancient tomahawk

 

Dead Eye card;

Quite an Inspiration

 

Strange medicine

Kick in the butt

Of single purpose

Not fully

Quite An Inspiration (Unlocks at Rank 44)

While Dead Eye is active, you and your allies regenerate Health. The effects does not stack if more than one member of your team has this ability active.

It's working for you allies - posse members. If this is your play style with crew - go for it.

Next - 
 

Of Single Purpose (Unlocks at Rank 40)

You take less damage from bullets while unarmed or using a melee weapon.

There is not much mele in this game... everyone is sniping... but again if this is what is your play style - go for it - but not much NPC will wait for mele... they will kill you before you will reach him.

[Nerfgoth]

7 minutes ago, Quahox said:

Not fully

Quite An Inspiration (Unlocks at Rank 44)

While Dead Eye is active, you and your allies regenerate Health. The effects does not stack if more than one member of your team has this ability active.

It's working for you allies - posse members. If this is your play style with crew - go for it.

Next - 
 

Of Single Purpose (Unlocks at Rank 40)

You take less damage from bullets while unarmed or using a melee weapon.

There is not much mele in this game... everyone is sniping... but again if this is what is your play style - go for it - but not much NPC will wait for mele... they will kill you before you will reach him.

Was thinking with Kick in the But would ad a loop of dead eye while taking damage and charge up Quite an Inspiration to regenerate health. As long there are no maxim guns or a roadblock with revenue agents I can melee my way through them.

 

There is another dead eye card that regenerates health (A moment to recuperate) but that card stop working as soon you take damage.

 

Using this build only works if I change to Slippery Bastard instead when doing Pvp in showdowns.

[Quahox]

So any changes / nerfs after the update?

[Classique]

8 minutes ago, Quahox said:

So any changes / nerfs after the update?

It doesn't seem so, at least according to the patch notes.