What are the key choices that determine the ending in RDR2?

Red Dead Redemption 2 features four possible endings, determined by the player''s choices and actions throughout the game. These endings are influenced by Arthur Morgan''s honor level and a critical decision made during the final mission, ''Red Dead Redemption.'' The honor system is a key gameplay mechanic that tracks Arthur''s moral choices, ranging from high honor (good deeds) to low honor (selfish or violent actions). Your honor level, combined with a pivotal choice in the final mission, will shape the ending you experience.\n\nTo unlock the endings, you must first progress through the main story until Chapter 6, where the narrative reaches its climax. During the mission ''Red Dead Redemption,'' Arthur and Dutch confront Micah Bell at Mount Hagen. At this point, the game presents a crucial choice: Arthur can either return to camp to retrieve the gang''s money or help John Marston escape to safety. This decision, along with your honor level, determines which of the four endings you will see.\n\nIf Arthur has high honor and chooses to help John escape, he will have a peaceful and reflective ending. Arthur will succumb to his illness while watching the sunrise, symbolizing redemption and selflessness. Conversely, if Arthur has high honor but chooses to go back for the money, he will die in a more dramatic fashion, fighting Micah in a final showdown. This ending still reflects Arthur''s moral growth but emphasizes his lingering attachment to the gang''s wealth.\n\nFor players with low honor, the endings are darker. If Arthur helps John escape, he will be betrayed and killed by Micah, dying alone and unfulfilled. If he chooses to go back for the money, he will die in a brutal fight with Micah, highlighting his greed and lack of redemption. These low-honor endings underscore the consequences of Arthur''s selfish actions throughout the game.\n\nTo influence your honor level, engage in positive or negative actions during gameplay. High honor can be achieved by helping strangers, donating to the camp, and making morally upright choices in missions. Low honor results from robbing, killing innocents, and making selfish decisions. Pay attention to the honor bar in the game''s HUD, which visually represents your progress toward high or low honor.\n\nPractical tips for achieving your desired ending include focusing on side activities that align with your goals. For high honor, complete stranger missions like helping the veteran in ''The Veteran'' questline or aiding the Downes family. For low honor, engage in robberies, bounties, and antagonistic behavior. Additionally, save your game before the final mission to experiment with different choices and honor levels.\n\nIn summary, the key to unlocking all endings lies in managing Arthur''s honor and making the right choice during the final mission. Whether you seek redemption or embrace Arthur''s darker side, your decisions will shape his legacy and the story''s conclusion.