What are the best ways to gain honor in the early chapters of the game?

Gaining honor in the early chapters of Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for shaping Arthur Morgan''s moral compass and unlocking certain story outcomes. Honor is a core mechanic that influences how NPCs react to you, the availability of certain missions, and even the game''s ending. In the early chapters, such as Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, you can build honor through specific actions, interactions, and choices.\n\nOne of the easiest ways to gain honor is by helping strangers in need. Throughout the game world, you’ll encounter random events where NPCs require assistance. For example, in Chapter 2, near Valentine, you might find a man being attacked by wolves. Intervening and saving him will grant you honor. Similarly, helping stranded travelers or defending people from bandits will also increase your honor. Always keep an eye out for these events, as they are frequent and rewarding.\n\nAnother effective method is donating to the camp. At your gang’s camp, you can contribute money, food, or supplies to the donation box. This not only boosts your honor but also improves the morale of your gang members. In Chapter 2, Pearson, the camp cook, often requests specific items like animal pelts or herbs. Fulfilling these requests will also increase your honor. Focus on hunting and gathering to contribute regularly.\n\nGreeting NPCs in towns is a simple yet effective way to gain honor. When you ride into towns like Valentine or Strawberry, greet people by pressing the appropriate button (L2/LT to focus and then a prompt to greet). Saying hello to multiple NPCs in a row will gradually increase your honor. This is a low-effort method that can be done repeatedly as you explore the world.\n\nCompleting story missions with honorable choices is another way to boost your honor. In Chapter 2, missions like ''Polite Society, Valentine Style'' and ''The First Shall Be Last'' often present moral dilemmas. Choosing to spare lives, help others, or act selflessly will reward you with honor. Pay attention to dialogue options and mission outcomes, as they can significantly impact your honor level.\n\nHunting and fishing responsibly also contribute to honor. When hunting, always aim for clean kills to avoid unnecessary suffering for animals. Use the right weapons and aim for vital spots. Additionally, releasing fish back into the water after catching them will grant you honor. This is a great way to combine resource gathering with moral growth.\n\nFinally, avoid negative actions that decrease honor, such as killing innocent NPCs, stealing, or causing chaos in towns. While it might be tempting to engage in reckless behavior, maintaining a high honor level early on will make the game more rewarding in the long run. Focus on positive interactions and thoughtful decisions to maximize your honor.\n\nPractical tips for early chapters: Always carry a bow or varmint rifle for hunting, as they are ideal for clean kills. Keep an eye on the mini-map for random events, marked by white or red dots. Regularly donate to the camp, even small amounts, to maintain a steady honor increase. Lastly, explore towns thoroughly and greet as many NPCs as possible to accumulate honor quickly.