How to Maximize Arthur’s Honor & Unlock Secret Endings in Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur Morgan’s legacy in Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just written by his gunfights—it’s forged by his honor. This invisible metric, tracked via a bar at the bottom of your screen (access it with the D-pad down), splits into 17 total tiers: neutral (0) and 8 levels each for positive (white) and negative (red) honor . Where Arthur’s cowboy avatar lands on this bar doesn’t just change his reputation—it dictates which of the game’s four secret endings you’ll unlock. High honor (160+ points, tier 4+) grants redemptive, peaceful conclusions; low honor (-200+ points, tier -5-) leads to violent, unceremonious deaths . To control his fate, you first need to master how to shape his honor.

Every action in the frontier carries weight. Spare a captured outlaw instead of executing them, and you’ll gain a chunk of positive honor; rob a wounded stranger you just “saved,” and you’ll plummet into dishonor . Even small choices add up: greeting townsfolk (randomly grants points) or killing a stray dog (drains honor) tweak the bar over time . The game even signals your path through dreams: deer visit high-honor Arthur, while wolves haunt low-honor playthroughs . This isn’t just flavor—it’s a compass. To unlock the endings you want, you need to steer that compass intentionally.

Part 1: Maximize Honor – The Path to Redemption (160+ Points)

The fastest way to boost honor is through repeatable, reliable actions. Fishing and releasing tops the list: cast a line in any body of water, catch a fish, and throw it back—each release grants small but consistent positive points, and you can do this infinitely . For bigger gains, tackle bounty hunts: collect posters from sheriff’s offices, capture targets alive (killing reduces rewards), and turn them in—this nets significant honor and cash, making it ideal for early-game progression .

Camp life is another goldmine. Donate $20.01 to the tithing box (smaller amounts rarely trigger points) and watch for the white honor icon to confirm the boost—you can repeat this by saving and reloading if needed . Completing camp chores (chopping wood, carrying supplies) and fulfilling gang members’ requests (fetching herbs, tools) also adds points, plus unlocks trophies like “Runner Boy” . Don’t ignore random encounters, either: when a white dot pops up on your minimap, it’s someone in need—escort a lost traveler, deliver medicine to a sick farmer, or help a coach driver fend off bandits for large honor boosts .

Part 2: Minimize Honor – Embrace the Outlaw (-200+ Points)

For players chasing dark endings, leaning into Arthur’s ruthless side requires intentional cruelty. Unprovoked violence is the quickest method: shoot innocent bystanders, rob saloon patrons at gunpoint, or kick stray animals—each act drains honor rapidly . Stealing is equally effective: take horses from hitching posts, loot civilian homes (even empty ones), or plunder stagecoaches without mercy . Avoid all “good” actions—if a stranger asks for help, rob them instead; if you catch a fish, keep it (or throw it on the ground) .

Story choices amplify dishonor. In Chapter 3’s “Urban Pleasures” mission, choose to kill the corrupt politician instead of sparing him; in Chapter 5, abandon a dying ally instead of aiding them . Even small quest decisions sting: when interrogating a witness, beat them instead of talking, or refuse to pay a farmer for stolen supplies . Unlike positive honor, negative points accumulate faster with reckless acts—but beware: low honor makes shops charge more, and lawmen will shoot on sight .

Part 3: Unlock Secret Endings – Honor + Final Choice = Fate

Arthur’s ending hinges on two variables: his honor level and his final choice when parting ways with John Marston in Chapter 6 . No matter what, Arthur dies—but how he meets his end depends entirely on your playstyle. Here’s how to trigger each secret conclusion:

Good Ending 1: The Perfect Redemption (High Honor)

Requirements: 160+ honor points (tier 4+) + choose “Help John reach a safe place” .

After escorting John and his family to safety, Arthur stays behind to hold off Pinkertons. In his final moments, he duels Micah—only for Dutch to abandon both men. Arthur collapses on a rocky ledge, watching the sunrise as his breathing fades. This is the game’s most emotional ending, framing Arthur as a man who finally atoned for his sins .

Good Ending 2: The Last Loot (High Honor)

Requirements: 160+ honor points + choose “Go back to get money” .

Arthur returns to the gang’s cave hideout and retrieves Dutch’s hidden $40,000 (stashed under a carriage in the left rear). As he exits, Micah ambushes him—but their duel ends the same way: Dutch flees, leaving Arthur to die at sunrise. The only difference? Arthur’s body lies near the loot, a final nod to his outlaw roots .

Bad Ending 1: The Betrayer’s Death (Low Honor)

Requirements: -200+ honor points (tier -5-) + choose “Help John reach a safe place” .

Arthur sacrifices himself for John, but his dishonor earns no mercy. After the Pinkerton fight, Micah doesn’t just duel him—he executes Arthur with a point-blank shot to the head. Dutch watches briefly, then walks away, indifferent to the man who once followed him blindly .

Bad Ending 2: The Greedy Fall (Low Honor)

Requirements: -200+ honor points + choose “Go back to get money” .

Greed seals Arthur’s fate. He grabs the cash, but Micah intercepts him—and this time, Dutch doesn’t hesitate to let Micah finish him off. Arthur’s body is left to rot in the cave, the money scattered around him. It’s a brutal end that mirrors his life of self-interest .

Part 4: Pro Tips – Lock in Your Ending (Avoid Mistakes!)

Even careful players slip up—here’s how to stay on track. First, check your honor often: press D-pad down to confirm your tier before Chapter 6, when endings are locked in . If you’re short on points, use post-game daily missions (repeatable via fast-forwarding time) to farm honor quickly . For low-honor runs, avoid paying bounties or surrendering to lawmen—both grant positive points and derail your progress .

Don’t overlook story-critical honor boosts. Completing Mary’s missions (“The Gilded Cage,” “Dear Bessie”) and helping Mrs. Downs repay her husband’s debt grants massive positive points . Conversely, skipping these or betraying allies in Chapter 5 pushes you toward low honor. Finally, save before key choices: before the John split, make a manual save—this lets you test both options without restarting your playthrough .

Conclusion: Honor Is Choice, Endings Are Legacy

Arthur’s honor isn’t just a mechanic—it’s a mirror. Maxing it turns him from a killer to a martyr; minimizing it cements him as a monster. The secret endings aren’t rewards or punishments—they’re consequences. Whether you want him to watch the sunrise with a clear conscience or die in a pool of greed, the power lies in the small acts: a fish thrown back, a stranger robbed, a life spared.

By following this guide, you won’t just unlock endings—you’ll craft Arthur’s story. So mount your horse, grip your revolver, and choose wisely. The frontier remembers everything.

Want to dive deeper? I can expand on specific honor-farming methods (like the fastest post-game daily missions) or break down how honor affects side content (e.g., exclusive outfits, NPC interactions). Just let me know which angle you’d like to explore next!