What are the best ways to earn money as a beginner in Red Dead Online?

Earning money as a beginner in Red Dead Online can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can quickly build your wealth. The key is to focus on low-risk, high-reward activities that don’t require significant upfront investment. Start by completing story missions, as they provide a solid foundation of cash and gold. These missions are accessible from the start and are marked on your map with yellow icons. Completing them not only earns you money but also introduces you to the game’s mechanics and world.\n\nOnce you’ve completed the initial story missions, focus on daily challenges. These are small tasks like hunting animals, picking herbs, or visiting specific locations. Completing at least one daily challenge each day builds a streak, which increases your gold payout over time. Gold is essential for unlocking roles like Bounty Hunter or Trader, which are more lucrative in the long run. Even as a beginner, you can complete simple challenges like cooking meat or selling herbs to a doctor.\n\nHunting and fishing are excellent ways to earn money early on. Animals like deer, elk, and birds can be found in abundance in areas like Big Valley or the Heartlands. Use a rifle or bow for clean kills to maximize the value of pelts and carcasses. Fish like salmon and trout, found in rivers such as the Dakota River, can be sold to butchers for a decent profit. Always carry a fishing rod and bait, as fishing is a low-risk activity that doesn’t require combat.\n\nAnother beginner-friendly activity is looting enemies and searching for treasure. After clearing enemy camps or ambushes, search bodies for valuables like jewelry or cash. Treasure maps, which you receive every five levels, lead to hidden caches containing gold and money. These maps are a great way to earn a quick boost to your finances. To find enemy camps, explore areas like Tall Trees or Roanoke Ridge, where gangs like the Del Lobos or Murfree Brood are active.\n\nAs you progress, consider investing in a role. The Collector role, unlocked with 15 gold bars, is one of the best ways to earn money. Using the Collector’s Bag and a map, you can find valuable items like tarot cards, antique bottles, and fossils. These items can be sold individually or as complete sets for a significant profit. The Jean Ropke online map is a helpful tool for locating collectibles efficiently.\n\nFinally, always keep an eye out for free roam events and stranger missions. Free roam events, like fishing challenges or trade route missions, are accessible to all players and offer cash and XP rewards. Stranger missions, marked by white icons on the map, involve tasks like delivering goods or rescuing hostages. These missions pay more the longer you take to complete them, so don’t rush. For example, waiting until the last 30 seconds to deliver a wagon can double your payout.\n\nTo maximize your earnings, always prioritize efficiency. Use your horse’s saddlebags to store extra pelts or carcasses, and visit towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to sell your goods. Avoid unnecessary combat, as dying can result in lost items or wasted time. With these strategies, you’ll quickly build a steady income and unlock more advanced money-making opportunities.