What’s the best way to manage my cores and bars during missions?

Managing your cores and bars effectively during missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for maintaining Arthur Morgan''s health, stamina, and Dead Eye performance. Cores represent the underlying health of your bars, while bars are the visible indicators of your current status. If your cores are depleted, your bars will regenerate more slowly, making it harder to survive or perform actions like sprinting or aiming. To manage these effectively, you need to understand the mechanics and plan ahead.\n\nFirst, always keep an eye on your Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye cores. Health determines how much damage you can take, Stamina affects your ability to sprint or swim, and Dead Eye is essential for precision shooting. These cores can be replenished by consuming food, tonics, or other items. For example, cooked meat restores Health and Stamina, while chewing tobacco or certain tonics replenish Dead Eye. Always carry a variety of consumables in your satchel, such as canned goods, herbs, and tonics, to address different needs during missions.\n\nDuring missions, prioritize maintaining your Health core, as it directly impacts your survival. If you''re low on Health, consume items like Big Game Meat (cooked with herbs for added benefits) or Health Tonics. These can be crafted or purchased from general stores. For Stamina, focus on items like Potent Bitters or cooked meats. Dead Eye can be managed with items like Snake Oil or chewing tobacco, which are often found in lootable containers or purchased from stores. Always loot enemies and explore the environment for these resources.\n\nOne common challenge is running out of supplies mid-mission. To avoid this, prepare before starting a mission by stocking up on essentials. Visit a general store in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to purchase canned goods, tonics, and other supplies. Additionally, hunt animals and cook their meat at campfires to create high-quality food that restores multiple cores. For example, cooking Minty Big Game Meat not only restores Health but also provides a golden Health core, which increases your maximum Health for a limited time.\n\nAnother tip is to use your camp effectively. At your gang''s camp, you can rest to replenish your cores and bars over time. Donating money to the camp''s ledger also unlocks upgrades like better provisions, which can help you maintain your cores during missions. For example, upgrading the Provisions box allows you to access more food items for free, reducing the need to carry as many supplies.\n\nFinally, pay attention to your environment during missions. Many missions take place in areas with natural resources like herbs or animals you can hunt. For example, in the Heartlands, you can find Wild Mint, which is useful for crafting potent Health items. Always take a moment to gather these resources when possible, as they can save you in critical moments.\n\nIn summary, managing your cores and bars requires preparation, resourcefulness, and awareness. Stock up on supplies, use your camp effectively, and take advantage of the environment to maintain your cores during missions. By following these steps, you''ll ensure Arthur is always ready for the challenges ahead.