How do I unlock the “Abandon John” ending?

To unlock the ''Abandon John'' ending in Red Dead Redemption 2, you must make specific choices during the game''s final chapters that reflect a low honor playthrough. This ending is one of four possible conclusions to Arthur Morgan''s story and is determined by your honor level and key decisions made in Chapter 6. Here''s a detailed guide on how to achieve this ending.\n\nFirst, you need to maintain a low honor level throughout the game. Honor is a core mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2, influenced by your actions, such as helping strangers, donating to camp, or committing crimes. To lower your honor, engage in activities like robbing, killing innocent NPCs, or antagonizing others. Avoid helping strangers or donating to the camp, as these actions increase honor. By the time you reach Chapter 6, your honor meter should be in the red, indicating low honor.\n\nIn Chapter 6, you will face a critical decision during the mission ''Our Best Selves.'' This mission involves a train robbery with Micah and Dutch. During the mission, Arthur will be confronted by Pinkerton agents, and you will have the option to either help John escape or abandon him. To unlock the ''Abandon John'' ending, you must choose to abandon John during this mission. This decision is only available if your honor is low, so ensure your honor level is in the red before proceeding.\n\nAfter abandoning John, the story will progress to the final mission, ''Red Dead Redemption.'' In this mission, Arthur confronts Micah on Mount Hagen. If your honor is low, Arthur will prioritize his own survival over helping others, leading to a more selfish and tragic conclusion. During the final confrontation, Arthur will fight Micah but ultimately succumb to his tuberculosis and the wounds sustained in the fight. This results in the ''Abandon John'' ending, where Arthur dies alone on the mountain, reflecting his low honor and selfish choices.\n\nTo ensure you achieve this ending, avoid any high-honor actions in the late game. For example, do not help the Downes family or other strangers in need. Focus on completing missions that allow you to make dishonorable choices, such as siding with Micah or Dutch in key moments. Additionally, avoid donating to the camp or helping your gang members, as these actions can inadvertently raise your honor.\n\nPractical tips for maintaining low honor include robbing trains, stagecoaches, and stores frequently. You can also antagonize NPCs in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to lower your honor. If you accidentally raise your honor, you can lower it by committing crimes or refusing to help strangers. Remember, the ''Abandon John'' ending is tied to your honor level, so consistently making dishonorable choices is crucial.\n\nIn summary, to unlock the ''Abandon John'' ending, maintain low honor throughout the game, abandon John during the ''Our Best Selves'' mission, and make selfish choices in the final missions. This ending provides a stark contrast to the high-honor conclusions and offers a unique perspective on Arthur Morgan''s story.