How do I unlock and use trinkets to improve Arthur’s abilities?
Trinkets in Red Dead Redemption 2 are special items that provide permanent passive bonuses to Arthur Morgan’s abilities, such as increased health, stamina, or improved crafting success rates. To unlock and use trinkets, you must first craft them at a Fence, a type of shop that becomes available after completing specific story missions. The Fence is unlocked during Chapter 2 after completing the mission ''The Spines of America,'' where you help Hosea sell a stolen wagon. Once unlocked, you can visit any Fence location, such as the one in Emerald Ranch or Saint Denis, to craft trinkets.\n\nTo craft a trinket, you need specific materials, which often include unique animal parts, jewelry, or other rare items. For example, the Buck Antler Trinket, which improves the quality of skinned animals, requires a Buck Antler and a piece of jewelry. These materials can be obtained by hunting animals, looting enemies, or finding them in the open world. Hunting legendary animals is particularly important, as their pelts and parts are required for many high-tier trinkets. Legendary animals can be found in specific locations marked on your map after studying their clues.\n\nOnce you have the required materials, visit a Fence and select the ''Craft Trinkets'' option. Each trinket provides a unique bonus, such as the Beaver Tooth Trinket, which slows weapon degradation by 10%, or the Ram Horn Trinket, which increases the chance of finding better quality herbs. These bonuses are automatically applied once the trinket is crafted, so you don’t need to equip or activate them manually. This makes trinkets a valuable tool for enhancing Arthur’s abilities throughout the game.\n\nOne common challenge players face is locating the required materials for trinkets. For example, the Legendary Buck Antler is needed for the Buck Antler Trinket, but finding the legendary buck can be tricky. The legendary buck is located in the forests west of Strawberry, near Big Valley. Use your Eagle Eye ability to track its clues, and make sure to bring a powerful rifle or bow to take it down in one shot. Once you’ve skinned the buck, take its antler to the Fence to craft the trinket.\n\nAnother useful trinket is the Raven Claw Trinket, which increases the chance of finding lootable items on enemies. To craft this, you’ll need a Legendary Raven Claw and a piece of jewelry. The legendary raven can be found near the Kamassa River in Roanoke Ridge. Use a Varmint Rifle to hunt it, as it’s a small bird. This trinket is especially helpful for players who rely on looting to replenish supplies like ammo and money.\n\nFor players struggling with survival, the Elk Antler Trinket is a great choice. It increases the amount of meat harvested from animals, making it easier to keep Arthur’s cores full. The legendary elk can be found in the northeastern part of the map, near Fort Wallace. Use a rifle with high stopping power to ensure a clean kill. Once crafted, this trinket will make hunting trips more rewarding and efficient.\n\nIn summary, trinkets are a powerful way to enhance Arthur’s abilities in Red Dead Redemption 2. To unlock them, complete the mission ''The Spines of America'' to access the Fence. Gather materials by hunting legendary animals, looting enemies, or exploring the world, then craft trinkets at the Fence. Focus on trinkets that align with your playstyle, such as the Buck Antler Trinket for hunters or the Raven Claw Trinket for looters. With these bonuses, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the challenges of the Wild West.