What’s the best strategy to avoid failing missions with limited health?

Avoiding mission failures in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially when dealing with limited health, requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding game mechanics. Health management is critical in missions where combat or environmental hazards are prevalent. Your health core and health bar are directly linked, so keeping both in good condition is essential. The health core determines how quickly your health regenerates, while the health bar represents your current health. If either drops too low, you risk failing the mission.\n\nBefore starting any mission, ensure your health core is full. You can replenish it by eating cooked meat, canned food, or using tonics like Bitters or Potent Health Cure. These items can be purchased from general stores or crafted using herbs like Yarrow and Ginseng. Always carry a stock of these consumables in your satchel. For example, during the mission ''Pouring Forth Oil,'' where you face multiple enemies, having Potent Health Cures can save you from failing due to low health.\n\nDuring missions, prioritize cover and positioning. Red Dead Redemption 2’s combat system rewards tactical play. Use rocks, walls, or other environmental objects to shield yourself from enemy fire. For instance, in the mission ''American Distillation,'' you’ll face a large group of enemies. Staying behind cover and using Dead Eye to target enemies efficiently can prevent unnecessary damage. Dead Eye is a powerful tool that slows time, allowing you to mark and shoot multiple enemies with precision.\n\nAnother key strategy is to upgrade your gear and abilities. Equip weapons like the Lancaster Repeater or Pump-Action Shotgun for their high damage output and reliability. Additionally, invest in ability upgrades like ''Slow and Steady'' in the Dead Eye tree, which reduces damage taken while in Dead Eye mode. These upgrades can significantly improve your survivability in tough missions.\n\nPay attention to mission-specific challenges. Some missions have unique mechanics or objectives that can drain your health if not handled properly. For example, in ''The Sheep and the Goats,'' you must protect a herd of sheep from wolves. Staying on horseback and using a rifle to take down wolves from a distance can prevent them from overwhelming you. Similarly, in ''A Quiet Time,'' where you engage in a bar fight, blocking and countering attacks can minimize health loss.\n\nLastly, always have a backup plan. If you find yourself low on health during a mission, retreat to a safe area and use consumables to recover. Don’t hesitate to use tonics like Potent Miracle Tonics, which fully restore your health and Dead Eye. These can be crafted using ingredients like Sage and Indian Tobacco, which are abundant in the game world.\n\nIn summary, avoiding mission failures with limited health involves preparation, tactical combat, and smart use of consumables and abilities. By keeping your health core full, using cover, upgrading your gear, and understanding mission mechanics, you can overcome even the toughest challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2.