RDR2: Is Raising Money For The Gang Actually Worth It? (2024)

As the home base of the Van der Linde gang, the camp is one of the most important recurring locations in Red Dead Redemption 2. The camp moves with the player, changing locations in every chapter, but the mechanics and offerings of camp life remain largely the same. Arthur can always help out around camp by completing a number of simple chores: carrying sacks of grain, chopping firewood, feeding animals, et cetera. And more importantly, players can choose to invest money in the camp, which they can then spend on improving it with various supplies and new features. However, this system might not be all it's cracked up to be.

No matter who the player is, the Van der Linde camp does supply one necessary service: story missions. The camp's value within Red Dead Redemption 2's story cannot be understated. The various camps of RDR2 are the site of some of the game's most important plot moments, and a wealth of characterization for the Van der Linde gang members in between. On top of this, however, it offers several other benefits to the player. Players can go there to sleep, pick up supplies, read mail, take on optional companion activities, refill their cores with some camp soup, and change Arthur Morgan's outfits in RDR2.

What Upgrading RDR2's Camp Actually Does

RDR2 Camp Upgrade Effects

As the game progresses, players have the option of depositing money or valuables in the gang's donation box (or by bringing hunted game to Pearson in RDR2). Depositing these funds allows players to use the nearby ledger to upgrade the camp. Upgrades include better supplies, a fast travel system, and decorative additions which improve gang morale. Players can upgrade the camp across five different categories, each of which contributes a different kind of resources.

In general, each upgrade either increases the overall amount of consumables available in a particular location, while also adding some new offerings, or adds a new feature to the camp. Upgrading Strauss' wagon provides more healing items, upgrading Pearson's more food, upgrading Arthur's more ammo, and upgrading the lodging and other categories provides a smattering of miscellaneous benefits. The table below explains how all the upgrades work, and what they cost.

There is one major problem with this system, however. Though upgrading RDR2's camp has its benefits, there's no real incentive that will influence the player's experience in a major way (with the exception of unlocking Red Dead Redemption 2's fast travel function). It's nice to have extra supplies around camp that Arthur can pick up for free, and the slightly better morale and small story moments these upgrades unlock are interesting little details. But ultimately, upgrading the camp in RDR2 isn't strictly necessary.

Players can find the camp supplies provided by upgrades - ammunition, medicine, and food - in abundance in pretty much any other area of the game. Looting bodies from an average shootout will net all of these rewards, along with a bit of spending change to boot. Hunting and crafting can also help players maintain their cores, and the player can change Arthur's clothes at pretty much any general store or hotel in the game.

Improving the Van der Linde gang's camp in RDR2 isn't cheap, either. To fully upgrade RDR2's camp, players will end up spending over $800 on lodging, nearly $400 on weapons and provisions, and over $1000 on general camp improvements. A completely upgraded camp in RDR2 will end up costing Arthur $2,540. Depending on how much hunting and gathering they do, a player can spend much less on supplies, making general stores the cheaper option in the long run.

Giving RDR2's Camp Money Won't Change the Story - For The Most Part

Camp Upgrades Unlock Slight Character Changes

Furthermore, the game does a poor job of letting the player feel the influence of their actions on the camp. Purchasing RDR2's camp upgrades might "boost morale" and conjure up supplies, but there's nothing specific barring players from not participating in this portion of the game. They might receive a small decrease in honor after leaving the camp for an extended period of time, or a small increase after throwing a few bucks in the donation box, but neither the camp itself nor any of its residents will actually suffer because of it.

Regardless of whether the player buys all RDR2's camp upgrades, does all the chores, and talks to every NPC, the Van der Linde camp will still be there for the player to return to and continue the story as if nothing happened. They could even deposit enough cash in the donation box to solve the gang's plot-critical money issues, and business will continue as usual.

That said, there are some slight character changes unlocked by contributing to camp. Companions will be a little more chipper if their morale is increased by upgrading their lodgings, and upgrading Dutch's tent will increase the likelihood of them pitching in. In the grand scheme of things, these are pretty minor changes, but they do affect RDR2's story in subtle yet noticeable ways. However, they don't affect the availability of companion activities, or the ultimate outcome of the story - at least, not directly.

How Spending Money on RDR2's Camp Affects Roleplaying

Camp Upgrades & The Honor System

While the inevitably inconsequential nature of upgrading RDR2's camp does have its downsides, there is a silver lining to this cloud. Each upgrade brings with it a slight Honor increase, which can contribute greatly to Arthur's character. In the long run, it even directly affects which of RDR2's endings the player sees. But should players choose to roleplay as something other than a proactive member of the Van der Linde gang, Red Dead Redemption 2 is able to accommodate their alternative experience as well.

For instance, a player who prefers to roleplay as a lone gunman without a home in RDR2 is not tied to any camp responsibilities. This does make the game more versatile, with a wider array of story choices available to players. However, the downside is that RDR2's camp becomes more shallow since it cannot punish the player for ignoring it. Furthermore, once they stop ignoring it and return to camp for the sake of a side mission, their unique roleplaying experience shatters as Arthur reverts to a "gang-first" mentality. It's hard to square the canon story with an uncaring Arthur, which makes this roleplaying choice a little less appealing.

In the end, this means investing in Red Dead Redemption 2's camp is only really necessary for players who actively want to be involved with the gang. The material bonuses aren't great, but if a player enjoys interacting with RDR2's NPCs and roleplaying as a responsible gang member, then participating in camp activities is a treat in and of itself - no extraneous rewards required. But if a player deviates from that mold, the camp becomes unnecessary and actually works to the detriment of their experience in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Source: Silentc0re/YouTube

Red Dead Redemption 2

Did you love the original Red Dead Redemption back in 2010? Check out this prequel to the first game, Red Dead Redemption 2. Players explore the complex Western world as Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. Get ready to find an adventure in the western frontier in the 1800s, fighting against government figures and famous rivals. While some controls are difficult to manage at first, after some practice mounting and dismounting your horse, you should be ready to meet more characters. The stunning graphics are to be expected with Rockstar Games, as they created other popular open world games such as Grand Theft Auto.

Platform(s)

PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

October 26, 2018

Developer(s)

Rockstar Games

Publisher(s)

Rockstar Games

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

RAGE

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

How Long To Beat

50 Hours

Platforms

Publishers

Rating

Metascore

97

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium