Red Dead Redemption: Outlaws to the End DLC Guide

Written by John Scalzo  on July 09, 2010

Tips to Survive the DLC: Your life in the old west doesn't have to be nasty, brutish and short

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With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar proved cowboys didn't have it easy. The old west is a rough place, especially online. Here are some tips to keep you in the saddle for Outlaws to the End's co-op campaigns:

Maintain distance - You and your gang mates want to be close enough to revive each other, but not clumped up, which makes you easy prey for explosives and fire. Try to stay within one to two pieces of cover away from your teammates, so you're just a quick sprint away if need be.

Classes aren't set in stone - Since most enemies carry repeaters, it's doubtless you'll end up with one. Consider that before choosing gunslinger or soldier. You may never get a chance to pick up the more specialized sniper rifle or shotgun that the marksman and miner start with.

Watch where you point that thing - Friendly fire is on, so think before you shoot, and be especially careful with firebombs and heavy weapons.



Auto aim is a crutch - Like gang shootouts on expert, advanced campaigns have no aiming assistance, and learning to shoot without it is a challenge. If an enemy hides behind cover, aim a few times to line up your shot, and wait for him to put his head where your reticule will be. Moving target? Lead the target, put your sites in his path and let him walk into your shot.

Dead Eye is deadly - In the modes with no auto aim, hitting a target while running or riding is near impossible. This is where Dead Eye comes in handy. Keep an eye on your gauge and meter it out wisely. Remember it when you're on horseback or caught in the open.

Covering fire - The AI doesn't want to get shot any more than you do. If you fire at them, they'll duck. Even if your aim isn't true, you can keep the enemy pinned down while your gang mates move into position.

Complement your gang mates - While each class has a campaign or two in which they're especially effective, a balanced team is always the best choice. In advanced mode, where most players will be using their own custom arsenal, use the pre-game lobby to discuss and see who will be carrying what.

Like sniper cover? Then let him have the ammo - Silver ammo boxes are scattered across the campaigns. Let your gang mates with more specialized guns grab these. If you're using a repeater or a handgun you'll be able to resupply by scavenging from the enemy. They aren't going to find sniper ammo lying around.

Rank up in a different game type - Not cutting it in advanced mode? Rank up in some different game types, then come back and try the new gear you've unlocked!

Last week's release of Outlaws to the End marked a different approach for Rockstar Games. The iconoclastic developer generally charges for DLC, which has routinely been a single player affair. Red Dead's offering is a multiplayer booster shot, six co-op campaigns that show a commitment to keeping players online. Rockstar plans to extend Red Dead's life cycle by beefing up the game's multiplayer with four more DLC packs, which were announced yesterday. And I'm all for it, even though the future DLC will come with a price. I'd prefer this to single player expansions, no matter how fabulous GTA's Ballad of Gay Tony was.