How do I complete the Legendary Animal missions?

Legendary Animal missions in Red Dead Online are a thrilling way to hunt rare and powerful creatures while earning valuable rewards. These missions are part of the Naturalist role, which you can unlock by visiting Harriet Davenport in Strawberry. To start, you’ll need to purchase the Naturalist Kit for 25 Gold Bars. Once you’ve unlocked the role, Harriet will assign you Legendary Animal missions, which are separate from free-roam Legendary Animal encounters.\n\nTo begin a Legendary Animal mission, visit Harriet at one of her locations (Strawberry, Lagras, or MacFarlane’s Ranch). Interact with her and select the option to start a mission. She will provide you with a specific Legendary Animal to hunt, such as the Legendary Moon Beaver or the Legendary Onyx Wolf. These missions are instanced, meaning they take place in a private session, so you won’t have to worry about other players interfering.\n\nOnce the mission starts, you’ll need to track the animal. Use your Eagle Eye ability to follow clues like tracks, fur, or droppings. These clues will lead you closer to the Legendary Animal. Be prepared for a fight, as these creatures are tougher and more aggressive than regular animals. For example, the Legendary Onyx Wolf will attack you with its pack, so bring a powerful rifle or shotgun to defend yourself.\n\nAfter locating the animal, you have two options: sedate it or kill it. Sedating the animal requires the Varmint Rifle equipped with Sedative Ammo, which you can purchase from Harriet. This option is ideal if you want to sample the animal for Harriet’s research. Killing the animal, on the other hand, allows you to skin it and sell the pelt to Gus Macmillan for crafting unique clothing items. Choose your approach based on your goals.\n\nOne common challenge is dealing with the animal’s aggressive behavior. For example, the Legendary Cougar is fast and deadly, making it difficult to land shots. To overcome this, use Dead Eye to slow time and aim for critical spots like the head. Additionally, bring health tonics and potent predator bait to distract the animal while you prepare your shot.\n\nCompleting Legendary Animal missions rewards you with Naturalist XP, cash, and sometimes unique items like Legendary Animal Samples. These missions also contribute to your progress in the Naturalist role, unlocking new abilities and gear. For example, reaching Rank 5 unlocks the Mercy Kill ability, which allows you to humanely finish off sedated animals.\n\nPractical tips for success include equipping the right weapons, such as the Bolt Action Rifle for killing or the Varmint Rifle for sedating. Always stock up on ammo and tonics before starting a mission. Additionally, use your Horse’s inventory to store extra supplies. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate roles—one player can sedate while another protects against attacks.\n\nIn summary, Legendary Animal missions are a rewarding and challenging aspect of Red Dead Online. By following these steps and preparing adequately, you can successfully complete these missions and reap the benefits of the Naturalist role.