Step into the boots of Arthur Morgan, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the sheer importance of your steed. In the vast, unforgiving landscape of Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode, your horse isn’t just a mode of transport; it’s a loyal companion, a lifeline, and an extension of your own capabilities. Choosing the right horse can significantly impact your gameplay experience, from the speed at which you traverse the map to the success of your daring heists and escapes. But with a plethora of breeds, stats, and temperaments to consider, pinpointing the absolute best horses in RDR2 story mode can feel like a quest in itself. This guide delves deep into the equine world of RDR2, helping you find the perfect partner for Arthur’s legendary journey.
The Crucial Role of Your Horse in RDR2 Story Mode
Before we dive into specific breeds, it’s essential to understand why your horse matters so much. Your horse influences:
- Speed and Stamina: Crucial for outrunning the law, chasing down bounties, or simply getting to your destination faster.
- Health and Core Drain: A healthier horse means better performance and less worry about your companion.
- Handling and Agility: Essential for navigating treacherous terrain, dodging obstacles, and maintaining control during high-stakes situations.
- Bonding: As your bond with your horse increases, so do its stats, and you unlock new abilities like charging into battle or spirited away.
- Storage: Your horse’s saddlebags can carry a limited amount of provisions, pelts, and trophies.
The best horses in RDR2 story mode excel in these areas, offering a balanced mix of performance and durability.
Understanding Horse Stats in Red Dead Redemption 2
Each horse in the game possesses a set of stats that determine its performance:
- Health: Represents the horse’s overall durability. Higher health means it can take more damage before becoming incapacitated.
- Stamina: Governs the horse’s ability to sprint. Like Arthur’s stamina, it depletes with use but replenishes over time or with tonics.
- Speed: The horse’s maximum running speed.
- Acceleration: How quickly the horse reaches its top speed.
- Riding Speed: This is the actual speed you achieve when galloping, factoring in acceleration and stamina.
- Braking: How quickly the horse can slow down or stop.
- Handling: Determines the horse’s agility and responsiveness to your commands, especially when turning or navigating tight spaces. There are four handling types:
- Race: Highly agile, good for quick turns.
- Work: Balanced, reliable for general use.
- War: Sturdy, less agile but good at absorbing impact.
- Nag: Poor handling, slow and unresponsive.
When looking for the best horses in RDR2 story mode, you’ll want to prioritize high Speed, Acceleration, and Handling, while ensuring respectable Health and Stamina.
Top Contenders for the Best Horses in RDR2 Story Mode
While personal preference plays a role, several breeds consistently stand out as top-tier choices. These are generally found later in the game or come with a higher price tag, reflecting their superior capabilities.
1. The Turkoman
A true all-rounder, the Turkoman is often cited as one of the best horses available in the story mode. It boasts excellent Speed and Acceleration, making it incredibly fast. Its Stamina is also very respectable, allowing for prolonged sprints. While its Health isn’t the absolute highest, its overall balanced stats and elegant appearance make it a favorite for many players.
- Handling Type: Race
- Where to Find: Purchased from stables in Chapter 3 onwards (e.g., Strawberry, Blackwater).
- Strengths: Speed, Acceleration, Agility.
- Weaknesses: Mid-tier Health.
The Turkoman’s blend of speed and responsiveness makes it ideal for players who frequently engage in chases or need to cover large distances quickly. Its race handling type allows for sharp turns, which can be a lifesaver when trying to evade pursuers or navigate tricky canyon paths.
2. The Arabian
The Arabian is another consistently top-rated horse, renowned for its stunning looks and impressive performance. It offers a fantastic combination of high Speed, excellent Acceleration, and superb Handling, making it incredibly nimble and responsive. The Arabian’s primary drawback is its slightly lower Health compared to some of the heavier breeds. However, for players who prioritize speed and agility, it’s an exceptional choice. There are three coat variations you can obtain in story mode: White Arabian (found wild), Black Arabian, and Rose Grey Arabian (purchased).
- Handling Type: Race
- Where to Find:
- White Arabian: Found wild in the snowy region northwest of Wallace Station (available from Chapter 2).
- Black Arabian & Rose Grey Arabian: Purchased from stables in Chapter 3 onwards (e.g., Strawberry, Blackwater).
- Strengths: Top-tier Speed, Acceleration, Handling. Beautiful coat options.
- Weaknesses: Lower Health, can be expensive to purchase.
The wild White Arabian is often the first “elite” horse players encounter, offering a significant upgrade over early-game options. Its quickness and nimbleness are invaluable for quick getaways and precise maneuvering. If you’re looking for a horse that feels alive and responsive under you, the Arabian is hard to beat.
3. The Missouri Fox Trotter
Considered by many to be the absolute best horse in RDR2 story mode, the Missouri Fox Trotter (MFT) is a powerhouse of performance. It combines elite-level Speed and Stamina with excellent Acceleration and good Health. Its Handling is typically Work or Race, offering a great balance of agility and stability. The MFT is a significant investment, both in terms of cost and when it becomes available, but the payoff is immense.
- Handling Type: Work or Race (varies by coat)
- Where to Find: Purchased from stables in Chapter 4 onwards (e.g., Blackwater). Two coats are available: Silver Turkoman and Amber Champagne.
- Strengths: High Speed, Stamina, and Acceleration. Good Health. Balanced handling.
- Weaknesses: Very expensive, only available late in the game.
The sheer consistency of the Missouri Fox Trotter makes it a standout. Whether you’re embarking on a long journey or engaging in a high-speed chase, the MFT has the reserves and the speed to keep up. Its strong stats mean that even with a bonded level of 4, it performs exceptionally well without constant micro-management of its cores. This breed truly embodies the ideal companion for the latter half of Arthur’s adventure.
4. The Dutch Warmblood
While not as flashy as the Arabian or as statistically dominant as the MFT, the Dutch Warmblood offers a very compelling package, especially considering its accessibility. It boasts good Health and Stamina, making it a robust and reliable mount for extended journeys and demanding situations. Its Speed and Acceleration are solid, offering a noticeable improvement over basic horses.
- Handling Type: Work
- Where to Find: Purchased from stables starting in Chapter 3 (e.g., Strawberry, Blackwater). Several coat variations are available.
- Strengths: High Health and Stamina, reliable performance.
- Weaknesses: Not the fastest or most agile.
The Dutch Warmblood is an excellent “workhorse” – sturdy, dependable, and capable. If you prefer a horse that can withstand a bit more punishment and doesn’t require constant sprinting, this breed is a fantastic choice. Its handling type also provides a very stable ride, which is beneficial for accuracy when shooting from horseback.
5. The Buell
This unique horse is tied to a specific side mission and offers a powerful, albeit temporary, solution for players needing a top-tier mount. The Buell is a highly resilient horse with excellent Health and Stamina, comparable to some of the best breeds. It’s a great option if you need a strong companion for a challenging part of the story and don’t want to spend a fortune at the stable.
- Handling Type: Work
- Where to Find: Obtained by completing the “Best in the West” stranger mission in Chapter 6, by finding and bringing back the legendary Buck Antler Trinket to the shaman. Note: This horse is often considered a specific story-related acquisition rather than a general purchase.
- Strengths: Exceptional Health and Stamina, very durable.
- Weaknesses: Tied to a specific mission, may not be available until late in the game, appearance might not appeal to everyone.
The Buell’s exceptional durability makes it a fantastic choice for players who want a horse that can endure prolonged combat or harsh environments without much fuss. It’s a testament to the game’s design that even a mission-reward horse can rival the best of the stables.
Horses to Consider (and Why)
While the above are often considered the cream of the crop, other breeds can also serve you well depending on your playstyle and when you acquire them.
- Hungarian Halfbred: Available earlier than some elite horses, it offers a good balance of stats, making it a solid upgrade from starter horses.
- Shire: If raw power and a commanding presence are what you seek, the Shire is a magnificent, albeit slower, option. Its massive size and strength are ideal for players who prioritize intimidation and a sturdy mount over speed.
- Mustang: Known for its endurance and sturdy build, the Mustang is a reliable choice for long rides and rugged terrain.
Acquiring Your Perfect Mount: Stable vs. Wild Horses
In RDR2, you can acquire horses in two primary ways:
- Purchasing from Stables: This is the most reliable way to get specific breeds with known stats. You can purchase horses from Chapter 2 onwards, with higher-tier breeds becoming available as the story progresses. Stable horses come with full cores and are generally in good condition.
- Taming Wild Horses: Throughout the world, you can find various wild horse breeds. Taming a wild horse involves a mini-game where you need to approach, calm, and then mount it. Once tamed, you can ride it, but to keep it permanently, you must stable it. Wild horses can be a great way to get a good horse for free, especially breeds like the Arabian. However, their stats and condition can vary.
Remember that horse bonding is crucial. The higher your bond level with a horse, the better its core stats (Health and Stamina) become, and you unlock special maneuvers like a “fearless” ability to charge through enemies or obstacles. Maxing out your bond with any horse significantly enhances its performance.
Essential Horse Care and Equipment
Even the best horse in RDR2 story mode needs proper care and the right gear to perform optimally:
- Feeding: Regularly feed your horse with Horse Feed or other consumables like Apples, Carrots, or Berries to replenish its cores.
- Grooming: Grooming your horse not only increases your bond but also restores its cores.
- Horse Tonics: Use Horse Stamina Tonics and Horse Health Tonics for a quick boost during critical moments.
- Saddles and Stirrups: Purchasing better saddles and stirrups from the stable significantly enhances your horse’s Speed and Stamina stats, often providing a substantial boost to their overall effectiveness. Don’t underestimate the impact of good equipment! Investing in the best horse equipment RDR2 story mode offers can make a world of difference.
Conclusion: Finding Your Ultimate Companion
The journey through Red Dead Redemption 2 is as much about Arthur’s personal growth as it is about the world he inhabits. Your horse is an integral part of that world, a silent partner through triumphs and tragedies. While breeds like the Turkoman, Arabian, and the formidable Missouri Fox Trotter often top the lists for the best horses in RDR2 story mode, the ultimate choice depends on your playstyle and preferences. Whether you seek lightning speed, unwavering stamina, or rugged resilience, there’s a perfect equine companion waiting for you in the wild west. Choose wisely, care for them well, and they will carry you through your legendary adventures.
