Summary
Red Dead Onlinebrings the cowboy experience directly to the hands of the players. No longer will players be bound by a single-player experience withRed Dead Redemption 2. Now,Red Dead Onlinewill allow players to explore the Wild West, either with friends or against enemies. This wild frontier is ripe for outlaws, bounty hunters, cowboys, and those just trying to keep to themselves. The question is, what should players do in their first 10 hours ofRed Dead Online?
There are plenty of activities and important additions that players should make note of during their opening hours ofRed Dead Online. The game can offer players plenty of fun if they know where to have it. However, the game also offers a variety of goodies, such asthe best horses inRed Dead Online, and the best guns, which players will surely want, and fast.
Updated on June 04, 2025, by Jake Fillery:While Red Dead Online doesn’t have the most varied of updates, it’s still a fun time for all who embark to the Old West. RDO is a defining experience for those with an itch to be a cowboy, but those starting the game for the first time might want to be aware of some vital Red Dead Online tips, and all the things that they should do first in Red Dead Redemption 2’s Online mode.
20Open Treasure Maps ASAP
Treasure Maps Contain Gold for Better Purchases
Within the early days, new players might find a fair few treasure maps to be added to their inventory. These treasure maps shouldn’t be ignored, and players should try and locate where their contents is hidden due to the fact that leveling up without opening the treasure chest will not change what’s inside, as it’s already a pre-determined loot pool.
Players will need to find these treasures so that they can both free up slots in their inventory and obtain a few goodies for themselves early on, since gold is used as real currency that can be purchased, so obtaining a few freebies with gold and gold nuggets will benefit those who want greater rewards.
19Purchase the Right Guns for the Job
A Powerful Set of Weapons Makes a Powerful Gunslinger
The starting kit for players isn’t that great, and being restricted to a rusted and no-good revolver and repeater is going to get a lot of new players killed. Once players acquire a few bucks, feel free tohead into a new townand look for the gunsmith to try and purchase some of the better guns available in the game.
A decent gun is the difference between life and death, as players not only have to juggle the mean wilderness, but also the outlaws within that come from both other players and NPCs. The game can be brutal, so be brutal back by ensuring the best weapons are a few dollars away.
18Level Up Fast for Better Rewards
The Best Equipment is Locked Behind Levels
Most of the best weapons found withinRDOare locked behind XP gains, where players will need to level up in order to get competent weaponry. The startinggear isn’t that great, and it can easily be seen as the noob gunslinger pack that players will want to evolve out of sooner rather than later so they stand a chance in the Wild West.
To do just that and level up fast, players are going to want to focus not just on exploration of the large map or interacting with other outlaws, but by committing to missions and XP sources so that they can rise through the ranks and obtain sweet loot for doing so.
17Invest in Saddles and Stirrups
Speed and Health is Essential For a Good Horse
It might be a costly expense so early on, but it’s something to save up for. Players should keep their money safe and ensure that it’s best used for saddles. Saddles help with horses by increasing their stamina and health cores, ensuring players can run for longer with their steeds. They should also invest in stirrups, which will increase the sprint speed of the horse.
With these two purchasable items in mind, players should be sure to go through the stables and make sure they are only buying the best, or at least the ones they can afford at the level they are currently at. Having a fast horse is vital for navigating the large map.
16Collect a Bounty Hunter License
Bounty Hunter Licenses Provide Money, Gold, and Cool Outfits
Costing 15 Gold Bars, players can acquire the Bounty Hunter License when they begin their journey. Whilst it’s essential to complete the tutorial, leaving the criminal life behind to fight on the right side of the law is going to be a great idea, as hunting down violent criminals provides new and exciting missions against some villainous outlaws, whilst also giving players XP, money, and gold nuggets.
Bounty Hunting is a great way to start out inRed Dead Online, so feel free to spend Gold Bars on this role before the others, especially when it offers the most content outside of simply collecting things and being peaceful.
15Complete Rounds of Call to Arms
Wave-Based Survival for Engaging Rewards
Up to four players can work together to protect the frontier’s most troubled settlements and towns from villains in a wave-based survival mode. With up to 10 waves of increasingly challenging enemies, Call to Arms will see players fight to protect their land and their allies, which will increase their XP gains and their experience throughout the dangerous world ahead of them.
Completing waves of Call to Arms is great from early access, as players will earn hundreds of dollars, plenty of XP, and even a gold bar. Repeating Call to Arms is a great idea, and for the most skilled players, it won’t be too hard.
14Explore Locations Familiar & Unfamiliar
Find The Calming Beauty Within This Open-World’s Visuals
Although thisopen-world has an adoration for harshness, there is also much beauty worth uncovering. In the main campaign, some players might have left behind the sights and wonders ofRed Dead Redemption 2to continue through the thrilling yet tragic story of Arthur Morgan, forgetting that this world is filled with different environments worth exploring.
Whilst it may not earn players any in-game cash and treasures, it’s still something players should take in. After all, there’s no need to rush the experience, so take a break in those first ten hours to avoid being overwhelmed and just admire the many beautiful locations found within the world.
13Complete Telegram Missions
Unique Employment Opportunities For XP and Other Rewards
If players are looking for something a tad easier for their time, and for those who are playing solo, Telegram Missions are great, as they will put players in a solo lobby so that they can complete the objectives available once they have accepted the Telegram Mission from a post office or camp lockbox, which will contain a letter.
There are a few different missions, and a range of difficulties to try, with more rewards for those who try things the hard way. These missions can range from delivering wagons, stealing horses, and robbing homes, providing unique opportunities for cash early into the careers of new players.
12Forge New Connections With Stranger Missions
Complete Different Missions For Some Recognizable Strangers
In the frontier, players can stumble across all sorts of strangers just looking to survive, or attempting to thrive by manipulating others to do their work. There’s a fair mix of both of those categories inRed Dead Online’s NPCs, and players can stumble across many different characters that they might recognize from previousRed Dead Redemptiongames, whether in the past or the future of the series.
Strangers can often set players on specific quests so that they can earn some sweet cash and XP, and it also helps to learn the different sets of missions available in the game’s world. These quests are great for new players to familiarise themselves with the content, and enjoy the few cutscenes of familiar faces.
11Stack Up On Food Supplies
Traveling & Fighting Is Useless With Empty Cores
When players enter the Wild West, it’s going to be clear that this ismore of a survival gamethan they are used to, and their cores are going to deplete pretty quickly, especially every time they respawn after death. With depleted cores, players will be affected in many different ways, such as the inability to run, and the lack of health.
It’s always best to scrounge a few dollars and purchase some cheap food supplies that will keep the most important cores in shape, as both the health and stamina cores are essential to survival, whether it’s roaming or fighting across the West.
