What are the best ways to earn gold from completing awards in Red Dead Online?

Earning gold in Red Dead Online through completing awards is a reliable and rewarding method, especially for players who enjoy long-term progression. Awards are in-game challenges that span various categories, such as combat, exploration, and trading. Completing these awards not only grants you XP and cash but also resets them for additional gold rewards. Here’s a detailed guide on how to maximize gold earnings through awards.\n\nFirst, understand the mechanics of awards. Awards are divided into tiers, and each tier requires you to complete specific tasks. For example, the ''Kill Enemies'' award might require you to kill 1,000 enemies to reach its final tier. Once you complete a tier, you can reset the award for 0.4 gold bars. Resetting awards is key to earning gold, as you can reset most awards up to 10 times, providing a steady stream of gold over time.\n\nTo start, open the Progress menu and navigate to the Awards section. Here, you’ll find categories like Combat, Hunting, Trading, and more. Focus on awards that align with your playstyle. For example, if you enjoy hunting, prioritize awards like ''Sell 1,000 Animal Parts to the Butcher'' or ''Skin 1,000 Animals.'' These awards are passive and can be completed while engaging in other activities like Trader or Naturalist roles.\n\nFor combat-focused players, awards like ''Kill 1,000 Enemies'' or ''Headshot 1,000 Enemies'' are excellent choices. These can be completed by participating in PvP modes, clearing gang hideouts, or defending against ambushes. Gang hideouts, such as those at Hanging Dog Ranch or Six Point Cabin, are particularly useful for farming kills. Bring a reliable weapon like the Lancaster Repeater or Bolt-Action Rifle to maximize efficiency.\n\nExploration awards are another great option. For example, the ''Visit All Points of Interest'' award requires you to discover specific locations across the map. Use the in-game map and online resources to identify these locations. Some points of interest, like the Elysian Pool or Mount Shann, are easy to miss, so plan your route carefully. Exploration awards are ideal for players who enjoy traveling and sightseeing.\n\nOne common challenge is tracking progress for certain awards. To overcome this, regularly check your Progress menu to monitor your completion status. For example, if you’re working on the ''Craft 100 Items'' award, keep track of how many items you’ve crafted by visiting the Crafting menu. This ensures you don’t lose sight of your goals.\n\nAnother tip is to combine award progress with role activities. For instance, if you’re a Trader, focus on awards like ''Sell 1,000 Goods'' or ''Donate 1,000 Materials to Cripps.'' These awards naturally align with the Trader role, allowing you to earn gold while progressing in your role. Similarly, Bounty Hunters can focus on awards like ''Capture 1,000 Bounties'' or ''Bring in 1,000 Bounties Alive.''\n\nFinally, prioritize awards that are easy to reset. For example, the ''Earn $1,000 from Trading'' award can be reset multiple times as you progress through the Trader role. This award is particularly lucrative because it ties directly into a profitable role. Similarly, the ''Earn $1,000 from Bounty Hunting'' award is another excellent choice for Bounty Hunters.\n\nIn conclusion, earning gold through awards in Red Dead Online requires patience and strategic planning. Focus on awards that align with your playstyle, regularly check your progress, and reset awards whenever possible. By combining award progress with role activities, you can maximize your gold earnings while enjoying the game’s diverse content. Happy hunting, partner!