What are the consequences of helping or abandoning John Marston?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the decision to help or abandon John Marston during the final missions has significant consequences for both the story and gameplay. This choice occurs during the mission ''Red Dead Redemption,'' where Arthur Morgan must decide whether to assist John in escaping or prioritize his own survival. The outcome of this decision directly impacts the game''s ending and Arthur''s legacy.\n\nIf you choose to help John Marston, Arthur will prioritize John''s safety over his own. This path leads to the ''Honorable'' ending, where Arthur sacrifices himself to ensure John''s escape. During this mission, Arthur will fight off Pinkerton agents and Micah Bell, giving John time to flee. This ending is emotionally impactful and aligns with Arthur''s redemption arc, emphasizing themes of loyalty and selflessness. Players who have maintained high honor throughout the game will find this ending particularly satisfying.\n\nOn the other hand, abandoning John Marston results in the ''Dishonorable'' ending. In this scenario, Arthur prioritizes his own survival and attempts to retrieve Dutch''s money from Micah. However, this choice leads to a grim conclusion, as Arthur is ultimately betrayed and killed by Micah. This ending is darker and less fulfilling, reflecting Arthur''s failure to redeem himself. Players with low honor will experience this ending, which serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of selfishness and greed.\n\nTo unlock the ''Honorable'' ending, players must ensure Arthur''s honor level is high. This can be achieved by performing positive actions such as helping strangers, donating to camp funds, and making morally upright decisions throughout the game. Conversely, the ''Dishonorable'' ending is triggered by low honor, which results from negative actions like robbing, killing innocents, and neglecting camp responsibilities. Monitoring Arthur''s honor level is crucial, as it influences not only the ending but also interactions with NPCs and the overall tone of the story.\n\nDuring the mission ''Red Dead Redemption,'' players must navigate a series of intense combat sequences. To successfully help John, focus on using cover effectively and conserving ammunition. Equip powerful weapons like the Lancaster Repeater or Pump-Action Shotgun to deal with the Pinkerton agents efficiently. Additionally, prioritize healing items such as Potent Health Cures and Bitters to sustain Arthur during prolonged fights. These preparations are essential for surviving the mission and ensuring John''s escape.\n\nFor players aiming to experience both endings, it is recommended to create separate save files before the final missions. This allows you to explore both outcomes without replaying the entire game. To do this, manually save your progress before starting the mission ''Our Best Selves,'' which precedes the final sequence. This way, you can reload and make different choices to see how the story unfolds.\n\nIn conclusion, the decision to help or abandon John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2 has profound consequences for the game''s narrative and Arthur''s character arc. By maintaining high honor and prioritizing John''s safety, players can unlock the ''Honorable'' ending, which aligns with Arthur''s redemption. Conversely, abandoning John leads to the ''Dishonorable'' ending, reflecting Arthur''s failure to change. Carefully managing Arthur''s honor and preparing for the final missions are key to experiencing the full depth of the story.