How can I use the Campfire Cooking feature to improve survival?

Campfire Cooking in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a vital survival mechanic that allows players to prepare meals, craft tonics, and improve their character''s health, stamina, and dead eye cores. By cooking food at a campfire, you can create meals that provide better benefits than raw ingredients, such as increased core regeneration or temporary buffs. To use this feature effectively, you need to understand the mechanics, gather the right ingredients, and know where to find campfires.\n\nFirst, you need to locate or create a campfire. Campfires can be found at your gang''s main camp, temporary camps you set up in the wilderness, or pre-existing fire pits scattered across the map. To create a temporary camp, open your item wheel, select the campfire kit, and place it in a suitable location. Once the campfire is lit, approach it and interact to open the cooking menu. This menu allows you to cook meat, craft tonics, and prepare other consumables.\n\nGathering ingredients is the next step. Meat is the most common ingredient for cooking and can be obtained by hunting animals. For example, hunting deer, rabbits, or birds will yield venison, gamey bird meat, or stringy meat, respectively. Herbs like oregano, thyme, and mint can be found in the wild and are used to enhance the effects of cooked meals. Oregano boosts stamina, thyme improves dead eye, and mint enhances health. These herbs are often found near water sources or in forested areas.\n\nTo cook, select the type of meat you want to prepare and choose whether to season it with herbs. For example, cooking venison with mint will create Minty Big Game Meat, which significantly boosts your health core. Similarly, cooking gamey bird meat with oregano creates Oregano Plump Bird, which improves stamina. Each cooked meal provides better core regeneration and longer-lasting effects compared to raw meat. Additionally, cooked meals can be stored in your satchel for later use, making them ideal for long journeys or intense combat situations.\n\nOne common challenge is running out of ingredients or not knowing where to find specific herbs. To address this, always carry a varmint rifle or bow for hunting small game and keep an eye out for herb patches while exploring. For example, mint can often be found near the banks of rivers, while thyme is more common in grassy plains. If you''re struggling to find a specific herb, consult your in-game map or use the Eagle Eye ability to highlight nearby plants.\n\nAnother tip is to use the campfire at your gang''s main camp, as it is always available and free to use. This is especially useful early in the game when resources are limited. Additionally, upgrading your camp''s provisions through the ledger will unlock better ingredients and recipes, further enhancing your cooking options.\n\nIn summary, Campfire Cooking is a powerful tool for improving survival in Red Dead Redemption 2. By gathering ingredients, using herbs to enhance meals, and cooking at campfires, you can maintain your character''s cores and gain valuable buffs. Always hunt for meat, collect herbs, and make use of both temporary and permanent campfires to stay prepared for any challenge the game throws at you.