The beta of Red Dead Online has started. We summarize 7 important things about the online mode of Red Dead Redemption 2.
As announced, the beta of Red Dead Online started in November 2018. The online mode of Rockstar’s open-world western Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive project that can be compared to the online mode of GTA 5.
At launch, MeinMMO summarizes seven important things that you should know.
1. When can I play the beta?
Red Dead Online will not be available for all players right from the start. Servers will open in phases for players who meet certain conditions.
You can play the beta from these days:
- Tuesday, November 27: Owners of the Ultimate Edition. Unfortunately, there were issues on Xbox One, the servers went online significantly later.
- Wednesday, November 28: Those who played Red Dead Redemption 2 on release day, October 26, will gain access to the beta.
- Thursday, November 29: Any player who played Red Dead Redemption between October 26 and 29 can then participate.
- Friday, November 30: All players who own RDR2 will gain access to the beta.
2. What the beta of RDO includes
What is there in RDO? There is already a lot to do and many features of Red Dead Online are already implemented. At the start, you will experience a tutorial and story mission where you create your character and take the first steps.
In the process, you also get a glimpse into the story of RDO. There is a campaign that you can play alone or in co-op. Additionally, you can form groups with friends (posses) in RDO, set up camps in parts of the game world, build a bond with your horse, just like in single player, and complete many more activities.
This includes various game modes such as competitions and showdown series. The beta will receive further updates which may add new features.
3. Create your own gang in Red Dead Online
The clan or gang system in RDO is called “posse.” You can either join a posse or create one yourself.
How posses work in Red Dead Online: You can create a temporary posse, where you temporarily roam with other players. Or you can establish a permanent posse for up to 7 players. While it costs you a bit, it remains intact. Statistics are maintained and updated each time the posse leader is online.
How do I create a posse?
- Go to the player menu (D-Pad left) and select the option “posse” and then “create posse”
- There you can choose between temporary and permanent posses
- Then select the location of the camp
You must give your posse a name and select a corresponding emblem. Even clothes can be customized. In the camp options, you can enable friendly fire, so you can duel with your buddies.
The leader of a posse can start a posse versus mode in free roam. In these short modes, you can either compete with your own posse or against another posse. You can fight, start races, or hunt opposing posse leaders.
4. You can shop anywhere
With the new catalog, you no longer need to search for merchants to buy specific items.
This is how the catalog works: In the menu, you can simply order the items you need. They will either be sent to a post office of your choice or to your camp. There will be costs for delivery.
In the catalog, you can choose from these categories:
- Weapons
- Ammunition
- Weapon accessories
- Supplies
- Medicines
- Hunting and fishing gear
- Horses and accessories
- Clothing
Prices differ significantly for balance reasons compared to single player. Some items can only be unlocked by reaching a certain level.
5. How PvP works in Red Dead Online
This is how you fight against other players: In free roam, you can attack and kill other players. However, if you attack first, it will cost you your honor. Therefore, the PvP modes, in which you can face off against other players, are recommended.
These modes are currently available: Depending on the mode, up to 16 players can participate.
- Shootout & Team Shootout
- These are classic shootouts with unlimited lives. The one who collects the most kills wins
- Make it Count
- Use a bow, a handful of arrows, or throwing knives to be the last one standing. It is a kind of battle royale mode.
- Most Wanted
- Every kill improves your position. The higher you are on the scoreboard, the more points opponents get for taking you down
- Hostile Territory
- You need to capture an area and collect points. The team with the most points wins. Or those who control the entire map
- Name your Weapon
- Everyone fights against everyone. The more difficult the weapon you use is to handle, the more points you collect with a kill.
6. You can level up and equip skills
In Red Dead Online, you can earn experience points through various activities and level up.
This is how leveling and skilling works: You learn skills through cards that you can equip. These have active and passive abilities. You can equip a maximum of one active and three passive skills, totaling four cards.
The cards can be unlocked either with money or by reaching a certain level. You level up by collecting experience points. You earn XP through completing all kinds of activities.
7. Gold is very valuable in Red Dead Online
In addition to the regular in-game currency in the form of US dollars, there are also gold nuggets to find. These are not just worth a few measly dollars, but can be exchanged for cool items.
This is how you get gold: You earn gold nuggets through various activities in Red Dead Online. Once you have found 100 nuggets, they will convert to a gold bar. It is even said that it is possible to reset your progress on certain challenges using gold and thus earn rewards again.
Gold as microtransactions? Microtransactions are not yet integrated into RDO. However, that will happen eventually. Gold bars will then be available for purchase with real money.
With these bars, you will be able to unlock cosmetic items like clothes and weapon styles.
