Everything You Need To Know About Weapons In Red Dead Redemption 2

Starting October 26th, 2018 Rockstar Games' highly anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2 will release for the masses on Xbox One and PS4. Ahead of the release at the end of the month, Rockstar revealed everything you'll need to know about the weapons in the upcoming open-world Western game.

Over on the Rockstar Games website there's a detailed layout of how the weapons function and operate within Red Dead Redemption 2. It explains that there are 50 different usable weapons you'll be able to operate throughout the game, many of which will allow you to customize them and outfit them with different types of ammunition.

There are two main factors for weapon usage in the game, one of which centers around weapon improvement and the other centers around weapon degradation. Both will concurrently take effect while you use the weapon, with the proficiency going up the more you use it, just the same as the degradation will also come into play the more you use it. It's about checking and balancing how you use what you use in the game, and ensuring that you keep your weapons in tip-top shape, a little bit like Far Cry 2.

The site also outlines a few of the weapons you'll be able to acquire, including the Cattleman Revolver, the Volcanic Pistol, the Sprinfield Rifle, a Sawed-Off Shotgun, and the Litchfield Repeater. Each of the weapons have their own pros and cons, and all of them are designed for different types of encounters. Some are focused on long-range hunting, while others are good for giving a good blasting to a foe up close.

Now one of the new things that Rockstar has added to Red Dead Redemption 2 is the ability to upgrade weapons based on material type. So some weapons will be able to get new metal finishes, or wooden varnishes, or special engravings. You can also swap out the barrels, grips, sights, and scopes for different types of weapons in the game, almost like the customization features in games like Activision's newer Call of Duty games, or DICE's newer Battlefield titles. Different parts and features will also alter the weapon's damage, range, fire rate, accuracy and reload speeds.

The page also explains that each of the weapons will coincide with the Dead Eye feature, which has been completely overhauled compared to the 2010 predecessor. The Dead Eye effect now evolves over time and with different levels, giving gamers more options and deadly accuracy and slow motion to work through as the skill is upgraded. The Dead Eye meter also drains with use, but it can be easily replenished with certain tonics.

There appears to be a gun for every sort of scenario you can think of, from pump-action shotguns that you can fire from the hip, to long-range bolt-action rifles you can utilize from a range. Whatever type of shootout you plan to get into, there will be a gun to fit your needs.

I wonder how well the weapon customization will affect the multiplayer component of Red Dead Redemption 2 or whether or not you'll be able to pay real money for upgraded weapons? I suppose we'll get a clearer picture on that closer to the game's release.