How do I save my progress before a duel?

Saving your progress before a duel in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial to ensure you don’t lose valuable progress if the duel doesn’t go as planned. Duels are high-stakes encounters that require precision and timing, and failing them can result in losing honor, money, or even your life. To save your game manually, you need to access the game’s save system, which is straightforward but requires specific steps.\n\nFirst, ensure you are in a safe location before initiating the duel. Duels often occur in towns like Valentine, Rhodes, or Saint Denis, where law enforcement can complicate matters if things go wrong. Find a quiet spot away from NPCs or enemies to avoid interruptions. Open the game’s pause menu by pressing the Options button on PlayStation or the Menu button on Xbox. Navigate to the ''Story'' tab, where you’ll find the ''Save Game'' option. Select it, and choose an empty save slot or overwrite an existing one. This creates a manual save point that you can reload if the duel doesn’t go your way.\n\nIf you’re unable to save manually due to being in a mission or restricted area, the game’s autosave feature may still help. However, autosaves are less reliable for specific moments like duels, as they occur at unpredictable intervals. To maximize control, always prioritize manual saves before engaging in high-risk activities. For example, if you’re about to duel a notorious gunslinger like Billy Midnight or Emmet Granger, saving beforehand ensures you can retry without losing progress.\n\nAnother practical tip is to use the game’s camp system to save. If you’re near your gang’s camp, such as Horseshoe Overlook or Clemens Point, you can sleep in Arthur’s bed to trigger an autosave. This method is particularly useful if you’re exploring the open world and stumble upon a duel opportunity unexpectedly. However, this requires you to be close to camp, which isn’t always feasible.\n\nFor players who prefer a more immersive experience, consider using the game’s quick save feature. While not explicitly labeled as such, you can achieve a similar effect by manually saving frequently. This is especially helpful in towns like Blackwater or Armadillo, where duels are common. Keep in mind that some duels are tied to specific story missions, and saving during these moments may not always be possible. In such cases, rely on your skills and practice the duel mechanics to increase your chances of success.\n\nFinally, remember that duels in Red Dead Redemption 2 require a combination of timing, accuracy, and strategy. To improve your odds, practice the duel mechanics in less critical encounters, such as random NPC challenges. This will help you master the slow-motion Dead Eye system, which is essential for winning duels. By saving your progress before a duel and honing your skills, you can approach these high-stakes moments with confidence and minimize the risk of losing progress.