Welcome to the huge, muddy, and morally tricky world of Red Dead Redemption 2! As you play, you’ll probably spot a small, simple bar at the bottom of your screen now and then. See that little cowboy silhouette in the middle? It slides from a scary red on one side to a pure white on the other. Yup, that’s the Honor system. It’s super easy to just let it be, or maybe think it’s just another game thing that doesn’t really do much. But here’s the kicker, you’d be totally wrong about that…!
That little bar is more than just a meter; it’s the soul of the game. It’s the quiet question that Red Dead Redemption 2 is constantly asking you: Who is Arthur Morgan? Is he the hardened, ruthless outlaw the world sees him as? Is he a man who takes what he wants, no matter the cost? Or is there something else beating in his chest? A flicker of goodness, a desire for redemption, a chance to be a better man in a world that’s quickly running out of time for men like him?
Understanding how this system works is the key to unlocking the true depth of the story. It’s not just about getting good or bad points; it’s about actively shaping your journey and seeing the world shape itself around your choices. This guide will walk you through exactly how Honor works in RDR2, and more importantly, why it’s one of the most powerful and meaningful features in the entire game.
You might also like this: Red Dead Redemption 2 Beginner’s Guide
What’s In Our How the Honor System Works in RDR2
What Is This Little Bar, Anyway? A Simple Breakdown
Let’s demystify this thing right away. The Honor system is essentially a reputation meter that tracks Arthur’s moral choices. Every time you do something, from a simple “howdy” to a life or death decision in a mission, the game is watching and judging. Your actions push the slider on that bar either towards the red (Dishonorable) or the white (Honorable).
You can check your current Honor status at any time. On a controller, simply pressing down on the D-pad will bring up the meter, showing you exactly where you stand. The scale runs from -8 (the most dishonorable) to +8 (the most honorable). When you start the game, Arthur is somewhere in the neutral middle, a blank slate waiting for you to write his story. Every action, big or small, adds or subtracts points, slowly but surely defining the man he will become.
Think of it as the world’s memory. It tracks your kindness and cruelty, shaping the game in real ways. Your actions impact everything, from the price of goods at the general store to how your journey unfolds.
The Path of the Hero: How to Gain Honor
So, you’ve decided you want to steer Arthur towards the light. You want to see the good man that’s buried under all that grit and cynicism. The good news is that gaining Honor is often about performing small, consistent acts of decency. The world gives you countless opportunities to be a better man.
Say “Howdy, Partner” to Everyone
This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most effective way to slowly and steadily raise your Honor. As you walk or ride through a town like Valentine or Rhodes, just aim your camera at the folks you pass and greet them. Every friendly “Hello,” “Ma’am,” or “Howdy” you offer gives you a tiny little nudge towards the white side of the scale. Why? Because you’re showing the world you aren’t a threat. You’re a friendly face, a neighbor, not just another outlaw looking for trouble. It might seem small, but doing this consistently as you move through the world adds up significantly over time.
Be a Good Samaritan: The Random Encounters
As you travel the long and winding roads, you’ll constantly stumble upon people in need. A man will cry out that he’s been bitten by a snake and needs medicine. A woman will be weeping by the body of her horse, stranded miles from anywhere. You’ll find prisoners who have escaped a chain gang and beg for you to shoot their shackles off.
These are what players call “random encounters,” and they are prime opportunities for Honor. Helping these people giving the man a health cure, offering the woman a ride to the nearest town, freeing the prisoner will give you a significant boost of Honor. Choosing to ignore them or, even worse, taking advantage of their situation, will either do nothing or actively harm your reputation. These moments are where you truly decide what kind of man Arthur is when no one from the gang is watching.
Do Your Chores and Tithe to the Gang
Life in the Van der Linde gang isn’t just about robbing and shooting. Back at camp, you’ll see chores that need doing. There are hay bales to carry, water buckets to fill, and sacks of supplies to haul. Taking a few moments to do these tasks doesn’t just help the camp; it gives you a nice little Honor boost. It shows you’re a contributing member of the community, not just a taker. Similarly, donating money or valuable items to the camp’s tithing box also nets you positive Honor.
When the Story Puts You on the Spot
Alright, so every now and then, the main story is going to put you in a tough spot. A really tough spot. You’ll find yourself in one of those classic Western movie moments. A man who betrayed you is kneeling in the mud, you’ve got your revolver aimed, and the game gives you a choice. You can be the cold hearted outlaw everyone thinks you are and pull the trigger… or you can be the bigger man. You can show a little mercy and let him walk away.
These moments are the real heart of Arthur’s story. They’re much more than just a quick way to get points for your Honor bar… they are the choices that truly define who your Arthur Morgan is becoming.
Don’t worry, I would never spoil these incredible moments for you. You’ll know one when you see it. The world will go quiet, and the choice will be crystal clear. When it happens, just do what feels right in your gut.
The Path of the Outlaw: How to Lose Honor
Maybe you want to lean into the outlaw fantasy. You want Arthur to be a feared desperado, a man who inspires terror wherever he goes. The path to infamy is a much quicker and more chaotic one, paved with selfish acts and senseless violence.
Unleash Hell Upon the Innocent
The fastest way to send your Honor bar plummeting into the red is to cause mayhem for no reason. Antagonizing people in town, starting fistfights, and, of course, shooting and killing innocent civilians will wreck your Honor in a heartbeat. The game makes a strong distinction between killing a rival gang member in a shootout and murdering a shopkeeper in cold blood. The world expects you to be a fighter, but it despises a bully.
Theft, Robbery, and General Larceny
Living the outlaw life means taking what isn’t yours. Holding up a general store, robbing a passenger train, or just pointing your revolver at a traveler on the road and demanding their valuables are all classic outlaw activities, and they will all give you a hefty dose of negative Honor. The same goes for stealing horses you find hitched in town. If it doesn’t belong to you and you take it, your reputation will suffer.
Looting the Wrong Bodies
This is a subtle but important one. After a massive gunfight with the enemies, feel free to loot every last one of them. They were combatants, enemies. The game doesn’t penalize you for this. However, if you accidentally run over a civilian with your horse and then decide to rifle through their pockets, the game sees this as a deeply dishonorable act. You’re not just a killer; you’re a vulture.
Don’t Forget the Animals
Yes, the game even judges how you treat animals. While hunting for food and pelts is a core part of survival, the game distinguishes between a clean kill and unnecessary cruelty. But the real hit to your Honor comes from killing farm animals. Riding into a farmer’s pen and shooting his cows, pigs, or chickens will earn you a swift penalty. And, of course, harming a friendly dog is a one way ticket to the bottom of the Honor barrel.
Why It Truly Matters: The Tangible Consequences
Okay, so you know how to be a saint or a sinner. But what does it actually get you? This is where the Honor system reveals its brilliance, weaving your moral choices directly into the fabric of the gameplay and the story itself.
Your Wallet Will Feel It
This is the most direct, gameplay focused consequence. A high Honor level acts as a permanent charisma boost. Shopkeepers across the land will see you as an upstanding citizen and will give you massive discounts on everything they sell. We’re talking up to 50% off on weapons, ammunition, provisions, and clothing. Being good is literally good for business. Conversely, if you have low Honor, shopkeepers will see you as a menace. They’ll still trade with you, but they’ll jack up their prices, charging you a “danger tax.” A dishonorable Arthur pays a premium for everything.
Unlocking New Threads
Your Honor level also acts as a key to new cosmetic items. Several unique outfits become available for purchase only after you reach a certain level of Honor. The Deauville, the Farrier, the Faulkton, and the Drifter outfits, for example, all require a high Honor rank to unlock. If you want Arthur to have the widest wardrobe selection, you’ll need to be on your best behavior.
How the World Sees You
This is where the game’s immersion truly shines. The way non-player characters (NPCs) and lawmen react to you will change dramatically based on your reputation.
If you have high Honor, townsfolk will greet you warmly. You’ll hear cheerful hellos and tips of the hat. If you commit a minor crime, witnesses might look the other way, giving you the benefit of the doubt. Lawmen will be more lenient, often just asking you to move along instead of immediately reaching for their guns. You become a beloved, if slightly dangerous, local figure.
If you have low Honor, the world becomes a much colder place. People will cower as you approach. You’ll be met with insults and fearful glances. Witnesses will report you for the smallest infraction, and lawmen will be far more aggressive in their response. You are a villain, and the world treats you like one.
The Final Chapter: Its Impact on the Ending (No Spoilers)
This is the most significant consequence of all. Your Honor level greatly influences the story’s key moments, and your choices matter immensely. The Honor system ensures an outcome that feels personal and reflective of your journey.
Here’s what your Honor level shapes:
- Tone and Mood: It affects the overall feel of important scenes.
- Dialogue and Interactions: Characters respond differently based on your reputation.
- Outcome: It influences how your story unfolds, aligning with your choices.
So the next time you see that little bar pop up on your screen, remember what it represents. It’s not just a score. It’s your story…
