Ah, Red Dead Redemption 2. A world brimming with possibilities, from hunting legendary beasts to becoming an outlaw of legend. And what’s an outlaw without a trusty steed? This brings up a burning question for many players: Can You Keep Horses You Steal In Rdr2 Story mode? The short answer is: yes, but with some significant caveats. It’s not as simple as just hopping on a stolen horse and riding off into the sunset as your new primary mount. Let’s saddle up and explore the nuances of horse thievery in Arthur Morgan’s epic journey.
Understanding Horse Ownership in Red Dead Redemption 2
In the world of RDR2, your horse is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s your loyal companion, a mobile inventory, and an extension of your outlaw persona. When you acquire a horse, whether through purchase, taming, or, yes, theft, it becomes bonded to you. This bond unlocks various perks and abilities as you level it up. However, the game has systems in place to manage horse ownership and prevent players from simply amassing a stable of stolen steeds.
The “Stolen” Horse Mechanic
When you steal a horse in RDR2’s story mode, it doesn’t automatically become yours in the same way a purchased or bonded horse does. The game distinguishes between your “owned” horses and any horse you’re currently riding or have temporarily acquired.
If you steal a horse and dismount, it will likely remain where you left it, and you can’t simply call it to your side like your main horse. If you try to stable a stolen horse, the stable master will usually refuse, or the horse will be automatically removed from your possession once you leave the stable area.
So, How Can You Keep Stolen Horses?
While you can’t permanently add a stolen horse to your primary stable as if you bought it, there are ways to utilize a stolen horse for your immediate needs or to eventually “legitimize” it.
Temporary Use and Riding
The most straightforward way to “keep” a stolen horse is to simply ride it. You can use a stolen horse for missions, travel, or even engage in combat while riding it. As long as you’re on its back, it’s your mount. However, this is temporary. If you dismount and wander too far, or if the horse is killed, it’s gone. The game doesn’t track its “ownership” by you in the long term.
Selling Stolen Horses
This is where you can actually profit from horse theft. You can sell stolen horses at stables. However, there’s a catch: you generally can’t sell horses that are of higher quality than the ones you’ve already purchased and bonded with. Furthermore, selling a horse often requires you to “clean” it first – meaning you need to remove any identifying tack or equipment that might link it to its original owner.
- The Process:
- Steal a horse.
- Remove the saddle. This is crucial. If you try to sell a horse with its original saddle, the stable master might recognize it or the sale value will be significantly reduced.
- Take the horse to a stable.
- Select the “Sell Horse” option.
- Receive your payment. The amount will vary based on the horse’s breed and condition.
It’s important to note that you can’t sell every stolen horse. Wild horses you tame are different. The horses you steal from NPCs or find tied up are the ones generally eligible for sale after you’ve removed their tack.
“Claiming” a Stolen Horse Through Bonding (Advanced/Situational)
There’s a more involved, albeit less direct, method to effectively “keep” a stolen horse by forging a bond with it. This is less about tricking the game and more about investing time.
- Steal a horse you particularly like.
- Ride it extensively. Keep it with you as much as possible.
- “Clean” its tack by replacing the original saddle with one of your own. You can purchase new saddles at stables.
- Build the bond. As you ride, feed, brush, and care for the horse, its bond level with you will increase.
- Stable the horse. Once you have a significant bond level (Level 1 or higher), you can often stable the horse. If the game recognizes your bond with it, it may allow you to keep it.
This method works best with wild horses that you can tame and then proceed to bond with. For horses directly stolen from NPCs, the game’s system is a bit more rigid. However, if you manage to remove the original saddle and treat the horse as if it were wild, you might have success.
The Limits of Stolen Horse “Ownership”
It’s vital to understand that RDR2’s mechanics are designed to encourage players to invest in their horses.
- No Unique Identification: Stolen horses generally don’t retain unique names or identifiers that the game tracks for your primary horses. They often revert to generic names or lack them entirely until bonded.
- Death is Permanent: If a stolen horse dies, it’s gone. You can’t revive it or reclaim it. Your primary, bonded horses have a more robust system for recovery (horse revival items).
- Limited Stable Slots: You only have a limited number of stable slots for your “owned” horses. You’ll need to make choices about which horses you want to keep long-term.
- Moral and Legal Consequences: While not a gameplay mechanic per se, stealing horses has consequences within the game’s narrative and can lead to bounty increases if witnessed.
When to Consider Stealing a Horse
- Urgent Travel: You need to get somewhere fast, and your current horse is slow or far away.
- Testing a Breed: You want to try out a particular breed before investing money in purchasing one.
- Selling for Cash: You’re low on funds and see a good opportunity to sell a decent horse.
- Finding a “Keeper”: You stumble upon a wild horse or an NPC horse that you really like the look of and are willing to put in the effort to bond with and stable.
Conclusion: A Thief’s Ride
So, can you keep horses you steal in RDR2 story mode? Yes, you can use them, sell them (after some preparation), and potentially even bond with them to make them your own. However, the game actively distinguishes between a purchased/tamed and bonded horse, and a horse that’s merely “borrowed” indefinitely. While the thrill of a quick equine acquisition is part of the outlaw experience, true horsemanship in Red Dead Redemption 2 often comes from investing in a loyal companion, whether you found them wild or bought them fair and square. Remember to check out new horses rdr2 story for more insights into the diverse equine offerings in the game!
