What’s the best way to earn money as a beginner in Red Dead Online?

Earning money as a beginner in Red Dead Online can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can quickly build your wealth. The key is to focus on low-risk, high-reward activities that don’t require significant upfront investment. Start by completing story missions, as they provide a solid foundation of cash and gold. These missions are accessible from the start and introduce you to the game’s mechanics while rewarding you with around $100-$200 per mission. Look for yellow markers on your map to find these missions.\n\nOnce you’ve completed the story missions, focus on Free Roam activities like hunting and fishing. These are excellent ways to earn money without needing special equipment. For hunting, head to areas like Big Valley or the Heartlands, where deer, rabbits, and birds are plentiful. Use a Varmint Rifle for small game and a Bolt-Action Rifle for larger animals. Sell pelts and carcasses to butchers in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis. Fishing is another great option—buy a fishing rod from the general store and fish in spots like Dakota River or Flat Iron Lake. Sell your catches to the butcher for a steady income.\n\nStranger Missions are another beginner-friendly way to earn money. These are marked by white icons with a question mark on your map. They involve tasks like delivering goods, rescuing NPCs, or retrieving items. While the payouts vary, completing these missions within the timer (but not too quickly) maximizes your rewards. For example, waiting until the last 30 seconds to deliver goods can double your payout. This strategy works well for missions like ‘On the Hunt’ or ‘Caravan Escort.’\n\nDaily Challenges are a must for beginners. These tasks reset every day and offer gold and cash rewards. Examples include picking herbs, killing animals, or visiting specific locations. Completing at least one challenge per day starts a streak, increasing your rewards over time. For instance, after 28 days, you can earn up to 0.5 gold bars per challenge. Focus on easy tasks like ‘Cook 3 Seasoned Meats’ or ‘Visit a Shop in Valentine.’\n\nAs you progress, consider investing in a role like Trader or Collector. The Trader role requires purchasing the Butcher’s Table from Cripps at your camp, which costs 15 gold bars. This role lets you turn hunted animals into sellable goods. The Collector role, unlocked by purchasing the Collector’s Bag from Madam Nazar, is even more lucrative. Use the Jean Ropke map online to find collectibles like tarot cards and antique bottles, which sell for high prices. For example, a full set of tarot cards can fetch over $200.\n\nFinally, always keep an eye out for treasure maps. These are obtained by looting enemies, leveling up, or finding them in the world. Each map leads to a treasure chest containing gold and cash. For example, a treasure chest near Cumberland Falls might yield $100 and 1 gold bar. Use these maps to supplement your income while exploring the map.\n\nIn summary, start with story missions, then focus on hunting, fishing, and Stranger Missions. Complete Daily Challenges for consistent rewards, and invest in roles like Trader or Collector as you progress. Use treasure maps to boost your earnings, and always sell your goods to maximize profits. With these strategies, you’ll quickly build a solid financial foundation in Red Dead Online.