What’s the best way to upgrade Arthur’s satchel early in the game?

Upgrading Arthur’s satchel early in Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most impactful ways to improve your gameplay experience. The satchel determines how much of each item Arthur can carry, and upgrading it allows you to hold more resources, which is crucial for survival, crafting, and completing challenges. To upgrade the satchel, you’ll need to craft the Legend of the East Satchel, which requires completing all other satchel upgrades first. This process involves hunting specific animals, gathering materials, and working with Pearson at the camp.\n\nTo begin, you’ll need to unlock the Leather Working Tools from Pearson, the camp’s cook and craftsman. These tools cost $225 and can be purchased from the ledger at the camp. Once you have the tools, Pearson will offer the option to craft satchels. Each satchel upgrade requires specific animal pelts and materials, so you’ll need to hunt and gather these items. The first satchel, the Materials Satchel, requires one perfect deer pelt, one perfect buck pelt, and one perfect rabbit pelt. These animals are common in the early game areas like the Heartlands and Big Valley.\n\nHunting for perfect pelts requires precision. Use a rifle for deer and bucks, and a varmint rifle for rabbits. Aim for headshots to ensure the pelt quality remains perfect. If you damage the animal too much, the pelt quality will drop. Once you’ve collected the required pelts, bring them to Pearson at the camp. Interact with him at his crafting station, and select the satchel you want to craft. Each satchel upgrade increases your carrying capacity for specific items, such as herbs, tonics, or provisions.\n\nAfter crafting the Materials Satchel, you’ll unlock the next tier of satchels. These require rarer pelts, such as perfect cougar pelts or perfect wolf pelts. Cougars can be found in the forests near Annesburg or Roanoke Ridge, while wolves are common in the Grizzlies or Cumberland Forest. Be prepared for these hunts by stocking up on ammo and health tonics, as these predators are dangerous. Use bait or predator calls to lure them out, and always aim for clean kills to preserve pelt quality.\n\nOne of the most challenging satchels to craft is the Legend of the East Satchel, which requires perfect pelts from a panther, a badger, and a beaver. Panthers are particularly difficult to find and hunt, as they are aggressive and only spawn in specific locations like the woods south of Braithwaite Manor. Use cover scent lotion to avoid detection, and approach cautiously. Badgers and beavers are easier to find but require patience. Badgers are often found near Bolger Glade, while beavers can be hunted near the Dakota River or Owanjila Lake.\n\nOnce you’ve crafted all the satchels, you’ll unlock the Legend of the East Satchel, which allows you to carry 99 of every item. This is a game-changer, as it eliminates inventory management issues and lets you focus on exploration and combat. To make the process easier, prioritize hunting during the day when visibility is better, and use binoculars to scout animals from a distance. Always carry a bow or appropriate rifle for different animal sizes, and store pelts on your horse to avoid losing them if you die.\n\nIn summary, upgrading Arthur’s satchel early in the game requires careful planning, precise hunting, and resource management. Start by unlocking Pearson’s Leather Working Tools, then focus on hunting for perfect pelts in the early game areas. Progress to rarer animals as you unlock more satchels, and always aim for clean kills to preserve pelt quality. The Legend of the East Satchel is worth the effort, as it significantly enhances your carrying capacity and overall gameplay experience.