The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 offers players an incredibly immersive experience, allowing them to engage in a wide variety of activities beyond the main storyline. One such activity that challenges players’ marksmanship and patience is hunting. Specifically, achieving certain in-game challenges can require unique approaches. If you’re wondering how to kill 5 birds from a moving train, you’re in the right place. This guide will break down the most effective strategies to accomplish this particular task, ensuring you can progress through challenges and hone your hunting skills.
The prompt for this challenge often appears as “Kill 5 Flying Birds While On A Moving Train.” It sounds straightforward, but the dynamic nature of a moving train and the flight patterns of birds can make it surprisingly tricky. This isn’t your typical hunting scenario where you can patiently stalk your prey. Instead, it requires quick reflexes, good aim, and a bit of strategic positioning. Let’s dive into how you can successfully complete this objective.
Understanding the Challenge Mechanics
Before we get into the “how,” let’s clarify the mechanics at play. The game requires you to be on a train that is in motion, and the birds you target must be in flight. This means you can’t just shoot stationary birds from a parked train or shoot birds while you’re the one controlling the train’s speed and direction. The key here is the combination of movement and airborne targets.
The most common misconception is that you need to find a specific train or a specific location with a high density of flying birds. While certain areas might offer more opportunities, the core of the challenge lies in adapting your approach to the train’s movement and the birds’ unpredictable paths.
Strategies for Success
Several methods can help you achieve this goal. Each has its own advantages and requires a slightly different approach. We’ll cover the most reliable ones.
Method 1: Utilizing Scheduled Train Routes
The most consistent way to encounter moving trains is by utilizing the game’s scheduled train routes. You can often find these trains traveling between major towns like Valentine, Strawberry, and Saint Denis.
- Find a Train: Head to a train station or simply wait near the train tracks. Trains usually follow predictable paths at certain times of the day. You can sometimes even board a train as a passenger, which simplifies the process as you don’t need to worry about driving it.
- Choose Your Vantage Point: Once on a moving train, find a spot that gives you a clear view of the surrounding environment. The open carriages are usually best. Avoid getting too close to the engine, as the noise and steam can be distracting.
- Identify Targets: Look for birds flying near the train. Common targets include seagulls, crows, and smaller birds. They often appear in flocks or individually, especially when the train passes over water or through more open, natural areas.
- Prepare Your Weapon: A repeating rifle or a shotgun with slugs can be effective. For smaller birds at a distance, a scope on a rifle is invaluable. For birds closer to the train, a shotgun can be more forgiving due to its spread. Ensure your weapon is ready to fire quickly.
- Aim and Fire: This is the critical part. You’ll need to lead your targets significantly, anticipating where the bird will be by the time your shot reaches it. Practice aiming slightly ahead of their flight path. Don’t be discouraged if you miss; it’s part of the process. The key is to keep firing as opportunities arise.
Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find birds, try riding the train through areas known for wildlife, such as near rivers or forests. The train will naturally pass through diverse environments, increasing your chances.
Method 2: Carving Your Own Path (With a Little Help)
While you can’t directly control the steam train’s speed or path in the same way as a player-driven vehicle, you can influence the situation by carefully selecting when and where you board or interact with a train.
One effective way to ensure the train is moving and you have control over your immediate surroundings is to find a train that has stopped, board it, and then wait for it to depart. Sometimes, simply being on board as an NPC conductor starts the journey is enough.
Alternatively, if you’ve acquired a train yourself (which is a rare but possible feat through certain missions or glitches), you have full control. However, for the purpose of this challenge, simply boarding an existing scheduled train is far more practical and accessible.
Consider the specific birds you’re targeting. Seagulls are often found near bodies of water, so riding a train through coastal areas or across large rivers increases your chances of encountering them. Crows and other smaller birds are more common in wooded or open fields.
Weapon and Ammo Recommendations
The choice of weapon significantly impacts your success rate.
- Repeating Rifle (e.g., Lancaster Repeater, Litchfield Repeater): These are excellent all-around choices. They offer good range and rapid firing capabilities, allowing you to take multiple shots quickly. Aiming with a scope can be very helpful for distant targets.
- Shotgun (e.g., Pump-Action Shotgun, Double-Barrel Shotgun): If birds are flying close to the train, a shotgun can be devastating. Use slugs for better range and accuracy, though birdshot might work for very close targets. The spread can make hitting multiple birds in a flock easier if they are tightly grouped.
- Varmint Rifle: While typically used for small game, its accuracy can be beneficial for smaller flying birds at medium range. However, its lower damage might make it less ideal if you need to take down a bird with a single, quick shot.
Ammunition: Always ensure you have plenty of regular rifle or shotgun ammunition. Express or High-Velocity rounds can provide a slight edge in damage and velocity, which is crucial for hitting fast-moving targets.
Tips for Improving Your Chances
- Patience is Key: This challenge can take time. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t succeed on your first few attempts.
- Practice Aiming: Spend some time in the game practicing shooting moving targets, even if they aren’t birds. This will improve your ability to lead your shots.
- Listen for Birds: Sometimes, you can hear birds before you see them. This can give you a heads-up to prepare your weapon.
- Use Dead Eye: Dead Eye is your best friend here. Activate it when you see a good opportunity, mark multiple targets if possible, and then unleash a volley. This significantly increases your chances of hitting multiple birds in quick succession. For this specific challenge, activating Dead Eye as soon as you see a few birds in the air, and marking them, is often the most effective approach. You can even upgrade Dead Eye to automatically reveal and mark targets, which is a huge advantage.
- Save Frequently: If you’re actively working on challenges, it’s always a good idea to save your game before boarding a train or engaging in an activity that might take a while. This way, if you fail or get frustrated, you can easily reload without losing significant progress.
- Consider the Environment: Trains often pass through areas with more wildlife. Riding through open plains, alongside rivers, or near forests can increase the number of birds you encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use dynamite or explosives to kill birds on a moving train?
A: While explosives can kill multiple birds, they are generally not recommended for this challenge. They are difficult to aim precisely from a moving train and may not count towards the challenge objective, which typically requires shooting the birds. Stick to firearms.
Q: Does the type of train matter?
A: Not significantly. Whether it’s a passenger train or a freight train, as long as it’s moving, it can serve the purpose. Scheduled passenger trains are often easier to board and provide good vantage points.
Q: Are there specific locations or times that are better for this challenge?
A: While no single spot guarantees success, areas around major bodies of water (for seagulls) or large open fields and forests tend to have more bird activity. Riding trains at dawn or dusk might also increase encounters with certain bird species.
Q: What if I accidentally shoot other passengers or damage the train?
A: Be mindful of your surroundings. Accidental friendly fire can lead to a bounty or a negative honor change. Focus your shots on the birds and avoid excessive collateral damage. If you’re on a passenger train, try to find a secluded spot or the very end of the train to minimize accidental harm.
Conclusion
Completing the challenge to kill 5 birds from a moving train in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a test of skill, patience, and strategy. By understanding the game’s mechanics, choosing the right weapons, and employing effective tactics like utilizing scheduled train routes and the Dead Eye system, you can overcome this hurdle. Remember to stay calm, lead your targets, and keep firing. Happy hunting, and may your aim be true as the landscape flies by!
