How do I avoid losing honor during the “The Sheep and the Goats” mission?

The Sheep and the Goats mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a pivotal story mission where Arthur Morgan and John Marston are tasked with stealing sheep from a ranch. This mission can impact your honor, which is a key gameplay mechanic that reflects Arthur''s moral standing. To avoid losing honor during this mission, you need to carefully navigate the choices and actions presented.\n\nFirst, understand the mission structure. You will be required to herd sheep from the ranch to a waiting wagon. During this process, you may encounter ranch hands who will try to stop you. Killing these NPCs will result in a loss of honor, so it is crucial to avoid unnecessary violence. Instead, focus on using non-lethal methods to subdue them, such as tackling or disarming them without killing.\n\nWhen herding the sheep, stay calm and avoid panicking the animals. If the sheep scatter, it will take longer to complete the mission, increasing the chances of confrontation with ranch hands. Use your horse to guide the sheep gently, and avoid riding too close or too fast, as this can cause them to run in different directions. Patience is key here.\n\nDuring the mission, you will encounter a ranch hand who confronts you directly. Instead of shooting him, aim your weapon at him to intimidate him into backing down. This will allow you to proceed without killing him and losing honor. If you accidentally kill him, reload a previous save to avoid the honor penalty.\n\nAnother critical moment occurs when you reach the wagon. A group of ranch hands will arrive to stop you. Again, avoid killing them. Use cover and aim to shoot their weapons out of their hands or shoot near them to scare them off. This non-lethal approach will help you maintain your honor while completing the mission.\n\nFinally, after delivering the sheep, you will have a choice to spare or kill the ranch owner. Sparing him will grant you honor, while killing him will result in a significant honor loss. Always choose to spare him to maximize your honor gain. This decision is a key moment in the mission and directly impacts your moral standing.\n\nIn summary, to avoid losing honor during The Sheep and the Goats mission, focus on non-lethal methods, avoid unnecessary violence, and make moral choices like sparing the ranch owner. These actions will help you maintain or even increase your honor, which is essential for unlocking certain story outcomes and gameplay benefits.\n\nPractical tips: Save your game before starting the mission to allow for retries if things go wrong. Use Dead Eye to disarm enemies without killing them. Stay patient and calm when herding the sheep to avoid complications. These strategies will ensure a smooth and honorable completion of the mission.