How does completing herbalist challenges affect honor?

Completing Herbalist Challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2 can have a subtle but meaningful impact on your honor level. These challenges are part of the larger Explorer Challenges, which require you to gather and craft various herbs and plants found throughout the game world. While the primary focus of these challenges is to test your knowledge of the environment and resourcefulness, they also provide opportunities to increase your honor through specific actions tied to the tasks.\n\nHerbalist Challenges are divided into nine ranks, each requiring you to collect or craft specific items. For example, Herbalist 1 asks you to pick and eat six Yarrow plants, while Herbalist 9 requires you to craft all types of potent health cures. As you progress through these challenges, you will naturally spend more time in the wilderness, interacting with the environment and NPCs. This increased interaction can lead to honor gains if you make ethical choices during your travels.\n\nOne of the key ways Herbalist Challenges affect honor is through the act of helping others. While gathering herbs, you may encounter strangers in need, such as injured travelers or people being attacked by wildlife. Assisting these individuals by providing them with health tonics or defending them will increase your honor. For example, if you craft a potent health cure during Herbalist 9 and use it to save a stranger, you will gain honor points. This ties directly into the game''s honor system, which rewards altruistic behavior.\n\nAnother way Herbalist Challenges influence honor is through the crafting of items that benefit your camp or companions. For instance, crafting special tonics or meals for your gang members at camp can boost your honor. This is particularly true if you use rare herbs like Ginseng or Sage, which are often required for higher-tier challenges. By contributing to the well-being of your camp, you demonstrate loyalty and care, which the game rewards with honor points.\n\nHowever, it''s important to note that Herbalist Challenges themselves do not directly grant honor. Instead, they create opportunities for you to engage in honorable actions. For example, while searching for herbs in the wilderness, you might stumble upon a wounded animal. Choosing to put it out of its misery rather than leaving it to suffer will increase your honor. Similarly, avoiding unnecessary violence while exploring and respecting the environment by not over-harvesting plants can also contribute to a higher honor level.\n\nTo maximize honor while completing Herbalist Challenges, focus on integrating ethical gameplay into your routine. Always carry health tonics and other helpful items to assist strangers in need. When gathering herbs, avoid trespassing on private property or disturbing wildlife unnecessarily. Additionally, prioritize crafting items that benefit your camp or other characters, as these actions are consistently rewarded with honor.\n\nFor new players, it''s recommended to start with Herbalist 1 and gradually work your way up. Early challenges like collecting Yarrow or Burdock Root are relatively simple and can be completed in areas like the Heartlands or Big Valley. As you progress, explore regions like Roanoke Ridge or the Grizzlies for rarer herbs. Experienced players can use the challenges as an opportunity to revisit less-explored areas of the map, combining herb gathering with other activities like hunting or treasure hunting.\n\nIn summary, while Herbalist Challenges do not directly increase honor, they create numerous opportunities for honorable actions. By helping strangers, contributing to your camp, and making ethical choices during your travels, you can significantly boost your honor level. Focus on integrating these behaviors into your gameplay to make the most of your time in the wilderness.