How do I maintain high honor during the main story?

Maintaining high honor in Red Dead Redemption 2 during the main story requires consistent positive actions and mindful decision-making. Honor is a core mechanic that reflects Arthur Morgan''s moral alignment, influencing how NPCs react to him, the story''s outcome, and even certain gameplay opportunities. To maximize honor, focus on helping others, avoiding unnecessary violence, and making ethical choices during missions.\n\nOne of the easiest ways to gain honor is by greeting NPCs in towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, or Strawberry. Simply press the greet button (L2/LT + Square/X) when near townsfolk. Each successful greeting increases your honor slightly. This method is particularly useful early in the game when resources are limited, and you need a steady way to build honor without spending money or risking negative consequences.\n\nAnother effective strategy is to donate to the gang''s camp funds. At the donation box in camp, contribute money or valuable items like jewelry or pelts. Donating $20 or more at a time provides a significant honor boost. Additionally, upgrading the camp through Pearson''s ledger (e.g., improving lodging or purchasing provisions) also increases honor. This not only benefits your reputation but also improves the gang''s morale and unlocks useful camp features.\n\nDuring missions, pay close attention to dialogue options and mission outcomes. Many story missions present moral dilemmas, such as sparing or killing enemies, helping strangers, or choosing between selfish and altruistic actions. For example, in Chapter 2, the mission ''Polite Society, Valentine Style'' allows you to intervene in a bar fight peacefully, earning honor. Similarly, in Chapter 3, the mission ''Blessed Are the Meek?'' lets you spare a character, which boosts your honor significantly.\n\nRandom encounters are another key way to build honor. These events often involve helping strangers in need, such as rescuing someone from a bear attack, returning a lost item, or aiding a stranded traveler. Always stop to assist when you see someone in distress, as these actions provide substantial honor boosts. For instance, near Valentine, you might encounter a man bitten by a snake; using a health cure on him will increase your honor.\n\nAvoiding dishonorable actions is just as important as performing good deeds. Refrain from robbing innocent civilians, killing animals unnecessarily, or committing crimes in towns. If you accidentally lose honor, you can regain it by performing positive actions like fishing and releasing fish, donating to the camp, or helping strangers. Additionally, avoid antagonizing NPCs, as this can lead to conflicts that lower your honor.\n\nFinally, use the game''s mechanics to your advantage. For example, wearing a mask during robberies or crimes can prevent honor loss if you avoid being identified. Similarly, paying off bounties promptly ensures that your actions don''t negatively impact your reputation. By combining these strategies, you can maintain high honor throughout the main story, unlocking the best possible ending and enjoying a more positive gameplay experience.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry health cures and horse revivers to assist in random encounters. Focus on upgrading the camp early to maximize honor gains. Pay attention to mission choices and prioritize helping others over personal gain. By consistently making ethical decisions and engaging in positive actions, you can ensure Arthur Morgan remains a high-honor character.