What are the consequences of helping or abandoning John in RDR2?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the decision to help or abandon John Marston during the final mission, ''Red Dead Redemption,'' has significant consequences for both the story and gameplay. This choice occurs in Chapter 6, 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, Arthur will prioritize John''s safety over his own. This path leads to the ''High Honor'' ending, where Arthur sacrifices himself to ensure John can escape with his family. To achieve this, you must have high honor, which is influenced by actions like helping strangers, donating to camp, and avoiding unnecessary violence. During the mission, Arthur will guide John through the mountains, fend off Pinkerton agents, and ultimately face Micah Bell in a final confrontation. This ending is emotionally impactful and aligns with Arthur''s redemption arc.\n\nOn the other hand, abandoning John results in the ''Low Honor'' ending. If Arthur''s honor is low, he will prioritize his own survival and leave John to fend for himself. This leads to a darker conclusion where Arthur is either killed by Micah or succumbs to his tuberculosis alone. To achieve this ending, you must have low honor, which is earned through actions like robbing, killing innocents, and neglecting camp responsibilities. This path emphasizes Arthur''s descent into despair and highlights the consequences of his choices.\n\nGameplay-wise, the decision to help or abandon John affects the final mission''s mechanics. If you help John, you''ll engage in a tense escape sequence, requiring you to navigate treacherous terrain and fend off enemies. This path rewards players with a sense of closure and fulfillment, as Arthur''s sacrifice ensures John''s survival. Conversely, abandoning John leads to a shorter, more somber conclusion, with fewer gameplay challenges but a heavier emotional toll.\n\nFor players aiming to unlock both endings, it''s recommended to create separate save files before the final mission. This allows you to experience both outcomes without replaying the entire game. To maximize honor, focus on positive actions like completing side missions, helping strangers, and donating to camp. To lower honor, engage in criminal activities and avoid helping others.\n\nPractical tips for navigating the final mission include stocking up on health tonics, ammunition, and Dead Eye supplies. The mission is combat-heavy, so being prepared is crucial. Additionally, pay attention to the environment, as the mountainous terrain can be challenging to navigate. Use cover effectively during shootouts and prioritize taking out enemies quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.\n\nIn summary, the choice to help or abandon John in Red Dead Redemption 2 significantly impacts the game''s ending and Arthur''s legacy. Helping John leads to a high honor, emotionally satisfying conclusion, while abandoning him results in a low honor, tragic ending. By understanding the mechanics and preparing accordingly, players can fully experience the depth and complexity of this pivotal decision.