When embarking on the vast, unforgiving journey of Red Dead Redemption 2, your steed is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s your steadfast companion, your escape route, and a crucial tool for survival. Choosing the right horse can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, impacting everything from combat effectiveness to the sheer joy of traversing the stunning open world. But with a multitude of breeds, coat variations, and stats to consider, pinpointing the best horses in RDR2 story mode can feel like a quest in itself. This guide delves deep into the equine stars of Red Dead Redemption 2, helping you find the perfect partner for Arthur Morgan’s adventures.
The world of RDR2 offers a diverse range of horses, each with unique characteristics. Understanding these differences is key to making an informed decision. Factors like health, stamina, speed, and acceleration vary significantly between breeds and even among different horses of the same breed. Furthermore, bonding with your horse unlocks special abilities and improves their performance, making consistent care and interaction vital.
Understanding Horse Stats and Bonding in RDR2
Before we dive into specific breeds, let’s break down the core stats that define a horse’s capabilities in Red Dead Redemption 2. Mastering these will help you appreciate why certain horses stand out:
- Health: Represents the horse’s resilience. A higher health stat means your horse can withstand more damage before collapsing or dying. This is particularly important during intense shootouts or when facing predatory animals.
- Stamina: This governs your horse’s ability to sprint. Like Arthur’s own stamina core, the horse’s stamina depletes with prolonged sprinting and regenerates over time or when you calm the horse. A larger stamina bar allows for longer bursts of speed without fatigue.
- Speed: This is the horse’s maximum top speed. While important, it’s often more about acceleration and how well the horse maintains its speed that truly matters in traversal.
- Acceleration: This stat determines how quickly your horse reaches its top speed. A horse with high acceleration will feel much more responsive and nimble, allowing for quick getaways and sharp turns.
Bonding with your horse is a crucial mechanic. As you ride, groom, feed, and calm your horse, your bond level increases. There are four bonding levels, with each level unlocking new maneuvers and improving the horse’s overall performance:
- Level 1 (Bonded): Basic control.
- Level 2 (Okay): Unlocks gentle turns.
- Level 3 (Good): Unlocks full-out sprints.
- Level 4 (Great): Unlocks drift turns and increases core stats.
The higher your bond, the more your horse becomes an extension of Arthur, performing better and responding more effectively to your commands. This is why even a horse with slightly lower base stats can become a top performer with a high bond.
Top Horse Breeds for Story Mode
Red Dead Redemption 2 features 19 distinct horse breeds, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While personal preference plays a role, certain breeds consistently rise to the top for their overall performance in the story mode.
1. Arabian Horse
The Arabian is widely considered the best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially for those seeking peak performance and elegance. There are three coat variations available in the story mode:
- White Arabian: Found roaming the northern shores of Lake Isabella in the Grizzlies West, Ambarino. This is the first Arabian you can acquire for free through gameplay. It boasts excellent stats across the board, particularly in speed and acceleration, making it incredibly nimble and fast.
- Black Arabian: Available for purchase at the stable in San Chiro. It shares the same stellar stats as the White Arabian, offering a sleeker, darker aesthetic.
- Speckled Arabian: This coat is only available through the Ultimate Edition of the game, making it a rarer find for many players. It offers the same top-tier performance.
Pros: Highest base stats for speed and acceleration among all breeds, elegant appearance, relatively fast bonding.
Cons: Lower health and stamina compared to some heavier breeds, can be skittish, expensive to purchase if not found.
The Arabian’s agility and speed make it ideal for navigating the treacherous terrain and escaping dangerous situations. Its quick acceleration allows for rapid bursts of speed, essential for outrunning pursuers or closing the distance quickly.
2. Missouri Fox Trotter
The Missouri Fox Trotter is another exceptional choice, often rivaling the Arabian in performance, especially when it comes to stamina and health. These horses are known for their smooth gait, hence the name, and their robust build.
- Silver dapple Pinto: Found in the wild near Blackwater, available for purchase at the stable in Blackwater. This coat is a popular choice for its striking appearance and excellent stats.
- Sooty Buckskin: Available for purchase at the stable in Strawberry. This variation offers the same impressive performance.
Pros: High speed and acceleration, superior stamina and health compared to Arabians, very smooth ride, good temperament.
Cons: Can be expensive to purchase, not as widely available in the wild as the Arabian.
The Missouri Fox Trotter offers a fantastic balance of speed, acceleration, and endurance. Its higher health and stamina mean it can sustain high speeds for longer and take more damage, making it a more reliable option for extended journeys or intense combat scenarios.
3. Dutch Warmblood
The Dutch Warmblood is a versatile and strong breed that excels in a variety of situations. They are known for their good temperament, solid stats, and imposing presence.
- Buckskin: Available for purchase at the stable in Van Horn.
- Bay: Available for purchase at the stable in Saint Denis.
- Raven Black: Available for purchase at the stable in Tumbleweed.
Pros: Good all-around stats (health, stamina, speed, acceleration), very brave and less skittish, suitable for combat and long-distance travel.
Cons: Not as fast as Arabians or Fox Trotters, can be pricey.
This breed is an excellent workhorse, capable of handling demanding tasks without faltering. Their bravery makes them less likely to bolt in stressful situations, providing a more stable platform during firefights. If you’re looking for a dependable, strong horse that can do a bit of everything, the Dutch Warmblood is a fantastic candidate.
4. Turkoman
The Turkoman is a powerful and visually striking horse that offers a good blend of speed, health, and stamina. They are known for their distinct coats and impressive performance.
- Gold: Available for purchase at the stable in Saint Denis.
- Silver: Available for purchase at the stable in Blackwater.
- Dark Bay: Available for purchase at the stable in Tumbleweed.
Pros: High health and stamina, good speed and acceleration, brave and responsive, unique appearances.
Cons: Can be expensive, not as agile as the Arabian.
The Turkoman is a solid all-rounder that performs exceptionally well in combat and during long rides. Its combination of speed and endurance makes it a formidable companion for the challenges Arthur faces.
5. Norfolk Roadster
The Norfolk Roadster is a fast and spirited horse, known for its excellent acceleration and nimble handling. While its health and stamina might not match the heavier breeds, its speed makes it a contender for those prioritizing quick travel.
- Dapple Roan: Available for purchase at the stable in Strawberry.
- Black: Available for purchase at the stable in Saint Denis.
- Red Chestnut: Available for purchase at the stable in Blackwater.
Pros: Excellent acceleration and speed, very responsive and agile, good for quick escapes.
Cons: Lower health and stamina compared to other top breeds, can be somewhat skittish.
This breed shines when you need to make a quick getaway or navigate tight spaces. Its responsiveness allows for precise maneuvering, which can be critical in avoiding obstacles or enemy fire.
How to Acquire the Best Horses
There are primarily two ways to get your hands on top-tier horses in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode:
- Purchasing from Stables: This is the most straightforward method. As you progress through the story and unlock new towns, new stables become available, offering a wider selection of horses with progressively better stats and higher price tags. The best breeds, like the Arabian, Missouri Fox Trotter, Dutch Warmblood, Turkoman, and Norfolk Roadster, can all be purchased from specific stables once they are unlocked.
- Wild Horse Taming: Some of the best horses, notably the White Arabian, can be found and tamed in the wild. This is a free method but requires patience and skill. You’ll need to track the horse, approach it carefully, calm it, and then mount it. Once mounted, you’ll need to break it in, similar to other wild horses. Successfully taming a wild horse can save you a significant amount of in-game currency.
Remember that even the best horse in the game will need care. Regular grooming, feeding, and calming will keep its cores full and its performance at its peak, especially as your bond level increases.
Considering Other Factors: Temperament and Appearance
While stats are important, don’t overlook other factors that contribute to your overall experience with a horse:
- Temperament: Some horses are naturally braver and less prone to spooking than others. Breeds like the Dutch Warmblood and Turkoman tend to be more courageous, which is invaluable during combat. Arabians, while fast, can be more skittish.
- Appearance: Red Dead Redemption 2 is a visually stunning game, and your horse is a big part of that. Many players develop a strong attachment to their steed based on its looks. The variety of coat patterns and colors means there’s a horse to suit every aesthetic preference.
For players who enjoy exploring the nuances of horse ownership in the game, understanding how these horses interact with the world—how they react to predators, gunfire, and the general chaos of the Wild West—adds another layer of immersion. Exploring different horse breeds can be as rewarding as completing story missions for some players, making the journey of finding the best horse in RDR2 story mode a significant part of the overall experience.
The journey with Arthur Morgan is fraught with peril and adventure, and having a reliable, fast, and strong horse by your side makes all the difference. Whether you opt for the lightning-fast Arabian, the sturdy Dutch Warmblood, or the balanced Missouri Fox Trotter, investing time in taming, purchasing, and bonding with your chosen steed will undoubtedly lead to a more fulfilling and epic experience in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. The best horse in RDR2 story mode is ultimately the one that best suits your playstyle and becomes a true partner in your adventures.
