Can You Skip Arthur Getting TB?
Getting sick in the middle of a quest can be frustrating, but sometimes, it’s just part of the adventure. In Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s one specific sickness that can pop up unexpectedly – tuberculosis, or TB for short, afflicted by the main protagonist, Arthur Morgan. So, can you skip Arthur getting TB?
Direct Answer
No, getting sick is integrated into the story, and you can’t skip or avoid Arthur contracting tuberculosis (TB) in the game. No matter how hard you try, he will get sick, and you’ll have to manage his health throughout the game.
Infection and Progression
During the mission "A Fork in the Road" in Chapter 5, Arthur will automatically contract tuberculosis, and his health will decline gradually over time. This is when you’ll notice him coughing constantly, which is a symptom of the TB. As his health worsens, your character’s movements will also slow down, and his skills will deteriorate.
The good news is that there is a 3-month incubation period between contracting TB and its physical effects on Arthur. During this period, you can focus on completing quests, finding new equipment, and honing your skills. After the incubation period, the sickness will take hold, and you’ll need to start managing your character’s health more carefully.
Consequences of Ignoring Tuberculosis
Ignoring TB can have severe consequences in the game. Core drain, a process that slows down Arthur’s health regeneration, will accelerate after contracting TB. Arthur will gain less experience points (XP) from completing activities, and his stamina will be affected. Furthermore, the sickly appearance and slow movements might attract unwanted attention from enemies, which can make it more challenging to progress.
On the bright side, you’ll still have a chance to recover partially if you don’t skip treating his condition. However, if you continue ignoring it, Arthur will become extremely weakened and eventually fall ill and die. We wouldn’t want that to happen, given how attached you are to this lovable outlaw!
Dealing with TB: The Harsh Reality
Dealing with TB requires patience, careful health management, and frequent medkit use. Here’s a list of actions to help ease the pain:
- Complete side quests in a timely manner to gain money and XP
- Search for food or consume items with regenerative effects, such as food with a ton of nutrition or drinks boosting your character’s health
- Explore to find rest camps or hidden locations to give your character a break and rest while healing
- Focus on essential activities and put distractions aside for now
- Consider acquiring certain items, such as Medicines for Arthur (optional), available for purchase at stores
If you do manage to find them, you’ll gain resistance to the effects of TB, and it’ll slow down even more.
A Silver Lining
Even though having TB might feel like an added obstacle, there are perks to be had. Permanent changes will take place when Arthur passes away, transforming your game in new ways. By that point, you should have an inkling of his legacy, with new objectives to explore.
For those eagerly anticipating a Red Dead Redemption 3, you can ponder on Hosea coughing throughout the game without TB being mentioned. Are we on the lookout for hints that hint at an older protagonist facing the consequences of time and health conditions? It’s certainly food for thought.
In conclusion, while you may try, you won’t be able to skip Arthur getting TB, as it’s integrated into the Red Dead Redemption 2 narrative. Focus on managing his health, completing necessary tasks, and make the most out of the 3-month incubation period to enjoy your playthrough smoothly.