In the untamed world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse is more than just a mode of transport; it’s your partner in survival, your confidant on long journeys, and your steadfast ally in the heat of battle. When bullets start flying and predators emerge from the shadows, the last thing you need is a steed that bolts at the first sign of trouble. That’s why so many players seek out the best war horse in RDR2 story mode. These equine tanks are defined by their courage, resilience, and formidable presence, making them indispensable for navigating the dangers of the American frontier.
Choosing the right horse can feel overwhelming, especially with so many breeds available. While a speedy racehorse is great for covering ground, a war horse is specifically bred for conflict. They possess high health pools and a calmer temperament under fire, ensuring you’re not thrown from the saddle at a critical moment. This guide will delve into the top contenders, analyzing their stats, availability, and overall performance to help you find the ultimate four-legged warrior for Arthur Morgan’s journey. Making a wise choice early on is crucial, much like understanding the nuances of the fastest horse in rdr2 story for different types of missions.
What Defines a Great War Horse?
Before we crown a champion, it’s essential to understand the criteria. What separates a good war horse from a great one? It boils down to a few key attributes that are vital for surviving ambushes, hunting legendary animals, and facing down rival gangs.
Core Health and Stamina
A war horse’s primary advantage is its health. This stat determines how much damage the horse can sustain before being critically injured or killed. A horse with a maxed-out health bar can withstand multiple gunshots, giving you precious seconds to react and eliminate threats. While stamina is also important for prolonged galloping, a high health stat is the non-negotiable hallmark of a top-tier war horse.
Bravery and Temperament
Bravery is a less visible but equally crucial stat. A horse’s temperament dictates how it reacts to stressful situations like gunfire, explosions, and predator encounters. War horses are inherently less skittish than other classes. A brave horse will stand its ground during a shootout, won’t buck you off when a cougar appears, and will remain relatively calm amidst chaos. This reliability is what truly makes them shine.
Handling and Speed
While not their primary strength, handling and speed are still factors to consider. War horses typically have “Heavy” handling, meaning they are less agile and have a wider turning radius than race or riding horses. Their speed and acceleration are also generally lower. However, the best war horses strike a balance, offering respectable speed without compromising their core strengths of health and courage.
Arthur Morgan stands beside the best war horse in RDR2 story mode, a powerful dark bay Turkoman, against a rugged mountain backdrop.
The Top Contenders for Best War Horse
Several breeds fall under the War Horse category, but a few stand out from the pack. We’ll examine the pros and cons of each, helping you decide which one best suits your playstyle.
The Ardennes: The Unflinching Tank
The Ardennes is the quintessential war horse. It’s a massive, muscular beast that looks every bit the part of a battlefield charger.
- Health and Stamina: The Ardennes boasts one of the highest health stats in the game, especially the strawberry roan coat available from the Scarlett Meadows Stable from Chapter 2. It can absorb an incredible amount of damage.
- Bravery: This is where the Ardennes truly excels. It is arguably the bravest horse breed in the game, rarely flinching from gunfire and holding its nerve against predators better than most.
- Drawbacks: Its main weaknesses are speed and acceleration, which are among the lowest in the game. Its “Heavy” handling makes it feel cumbersome in tight spaces.
If your priority is a horse that will never, ever abandon you in a fight, the Ardennes is a top-tier choice. It’s a pure tank, sacrificing agility for unparalleled courage and durability.
The Andalusian: The Noble Warrior
The Andalusian is a more balanced option, combining classic war horse traits with a touch of elegance. It’s a solid, reliable mount that’s available relatively early in the game.
- Health and Stamina: It has excellent health and good stamina, making it a resilient partner for long-haul missions that might end in a gunfight. The Perlino coat, found in the wild near Brandywine Drop, has particularly impressive base stats.
- Bravery: While not as fearless as the Ardennes, the Andalusian is still very brave and can be counted on in most combat situations.
- Availability: You can purchase a Dark Bay Andalusian from the Strawberry Stable from Chapter 2, making it an accessible and powerful early-game choice.
The Andalusian is an excellent all-rounder for players who want a dependable war horse without the extreme sluggishness of the Ardennes. For those exploring a variety of mounts, it’s worth comparing it to the comprehensive list of all horses rdr2 story mode has to offer.
The Hungarian Half-bred: The Scrappy Survivor
This breed is often overlooked but is a surprisingly capable and accessible war horse, especially for players just starting their journey.
- Health and Stamina: The Hungarian Half-bred has a respectable health pool that can be developed to a high level through bonding.
- Bravery: It’s a courageous horse that handles pressure well, often found in the hands of bounty hunters for a reason.
- Accessibility: You can acquire one for free during the Chapter 2 debt collection mission with Wrobel, or find them in the wild. This makes it one of the best early-game war horses available.
While it may be outclassed by other horses in the late game, the Hungarian Half-bred is a fantastic and loyal companion for the first few chapters of Arthur’s story.
The Verdict: The Turkoman, The Elite Hybrid
While the Ardennes is the bravest and the Andalusian is a balanced warrior, many veteran players agree that the best war horse in RDR2 story mode is actually a hybrid: the Turkoman. Classified as a Race/War horse, it offers the best of both worlds.
- Superior Stats: The Turkoman boasts elite stats across the board. It has exceptionally high health, rivaling that of the pure war horses, and pairs it with the high speed and acceleration of a top-tier racehorse.
- Temperament: It possesses the courage of a war horse, making it reliable in combat and around predators, though some players report it’s slightly more skittish than an Ardennes.
- Handling: With “Race” handling, it feels responsive and agile, a stark contrast to the heavy-handling purebred war horses.
According to Dr. Alistair Finch, a virtual equine historian, “The Turkoman in RDR2 represents a perfect synthesis of battlefield resilience and open-plains speed. It breaks the traditional mold, proving that a horse can be both a swift courier and a steadfast soldier, making it a uniquely versatile mount for a character like Arthur Morgan who must adapt to countless different situations.”
The primary downside is its availability and cost. The earliest you can purchase a Turkoman is in Chapter 4 from the Saint Denis stable. However, its unmatched combination of speed, health, and courage makes it worth the wait and the price tag. It is, for all intents and purposes, an end-game horse that excels in every scenario. Its capabilities even put it in the running for the overall rdr2 story fastest horse.
How to Get the Most Out of Your War Horse
Choosing the right breed is only half the battle. To unlock your horse’s full potential, you must invest time in bonding with it. Reaching the maximum bonding level (Level 4) provides significant stat boosts and unlocks advanced maneuvers.
Steps to Increase Bonding Quickly:
- Feed It Regularly: Keep your horse well-fed with quality treats like oatcakes, apples, and hay.
- Groom It Daily: Brushing your horse not only cleans it but also contributes to bonding.
- Calm It: When your horse gets agitated, press the corresponding button to calm and reassure it.
- Lead and Ride: Simply spending time riding and leading your horse will gradually increase your bond.
A fully bonded war horse will have its health and stamina bars significantly extended, making it an even more formidable force on the battlefield. This process of care and connection is a core part of the game, similar to the journeys explored in a different kind of horse story 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the free War Horse (Ardennes) from the Ultimate Edition any good?
Yes, the Iron Grey Ardennes that comes with the Ultimate or Special Editions of the game is an excellent starting horse. It has fantastic health and bravery, giving you a significant advantage in the early chapters.
What is the bravest horse breed in RDR2?
The Ardennes is widely considered the bravest horse breed in the game. It is the least likely to buck you off during a firefight or when facing predators like cougars and bears.
Can you find a Turkoman in the wild?
Yes, a wild Turkoman with a Perlino coat can sometimes be found on the western edge of the map, near the Tumbleweed Stable in New Austin. However, this area is only accessible as John Marston in the epilogue.
Is the Arabian better than a War Horse?
The Arabian horse is the fastest horse in the game but is also notoriously skittish. It has low health and will often buck you off in stressful situations. For combat-heavy missions, a top-tier war horse like the Turkoman or Ardennes is far more reliable.
Does the horse’s gender matter?
No, a horse’s gender in Red Dead Redemption 2 has no impact on its stats, temperament, or performance. The choice between male and female is purely for player preference.
Conclusion: A Partner for the Perilous West
Choosing the best war horse in RDR2 story mode ultimately comes down to a balance of stats, bravery, and personal preference. If you want an unshakable tank that fears nothing, the Ardennes is your champion. If you seek a versatile and accessible warrior, the Andalusian is a superb choice. However, for the player who wants it all—speed, health, and courage—the Turkoman stands in a class of its own. It is the complete package, a loyal and powerful companion ready for anything the world throws at you and Arthur. No matter which you choose, investing in your bond will forge a partnership that is essential for surviving the beautiful but brutal world of Red Dead Redemption 2.
