How can I prevent mission failures by using tonics and provisions wisely?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, mission failures can often be avoided by strategically using tonics and provisions to maintain your health, stamina, and Dead Eye cores. These resources are critical for surviving intense combat, long chases, or environmental challenges. Understanding how to manage and replenish these stats effectively can make the difference between success and failure in missions.\n\nFirst, always ensure your health, stamina, and Dead Eye cores are full before starting a mission. You can check these stats in the player menu under the ''Player'' tab. Cores are represented by circular icons, while the outer rings indicate the current level of each stat. To replenish cores, consume food like cooked meat, canned goods, or crafted provisions. For example, eating a piece of cooked venison restores both health and stamina cores. Tonics like Potent Health Cure or Potent Snake Oil can instantly refill health and Dead Eye cores, respectively.\n\nDuring missions, keep an eye on your surroundings and anticipate when you might need to use tonics or provisions. For example, in missions involving prolonged gunfights, such as the assault on Braithwaite Manor, enemies can overwhelm you quickly. Carry Potent Health Tonics and consume them when your health drops below 50%. This ensures you can withstand incoming damage without risking mission failure due to death. Similarly, in missions requiring stamina, like chasing enemies on horseback, use Potent Bitters or other stamina tonics to keep your horse and Arthur from tiring.\n\nCrafting and stocking up on tonics is essential. Visit a general store or doctor to purchase ingredients like Ginseng, Yarrow, and Burdock Root. These can be used to craft potent tonics at your campfire. For example, combining Ginseng and Yarrow creates a Potent Health Cure, which is far more effective than basic tonics. Always carry a variety of tonics and provisions in your satchel to handle different situations. You can store up to 99 of each item, so there''s no reason to be unprepared.\n\nAnother key strategy is to use Dead Eye effectively. Dead Eye allows you to slow time and target enemies precisely, which is invaluable in missions with large groups of enemies. To maintain Dead Eye, consume items like chewing tobacco or Potent Snake Oil. For example, during the mission ''American Distillation,'' where you face waves of enemies, activating Dead Eye can help you eliminate threats quickly and avoid being overwhelmed.\n\nEnvironmental challenges also require careful use of provisions. In missions involving extreme weather, like snowstorms in the Grizzlies, consume provisions that restore stamina and health to counteract the effects of cold. Items like canned beans or cooked game meat are ideal for this. Additionally, always carry a few bottles of whiskey or other alcohol to restore Dead Eye in emergencies.\n\nFinally, manage your inventory wisely. Assign tonics and provisions to quick-access slots in the weapon wheel for faster use during combat. To do this, open the weapon wheel, navigate to the ''Items'' tab, and select the tonic or provision you want to assign. This allows you to use them instantly without pausing the game, which can be a lifesaver in intense situations.\n\nIn summary, preventing mission failures in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires careful preparation and strategic use of tonics and provisions. Always stock up on essential items, craft potent tonics, and assign them to quick-access slots. Monitor your health, stamina, and Dead Eye cores during missions, and use provisions proactively to avoid critical failures. By following these tips, you can tackle even the most challenging missions with confidence.