What’s the best way to farm gold bars early in the game?

Farming gold bars early in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great way to secure a significant financial boost, allowing you to purchase weapons, upgrades, and other essentials. Gold bars are worth $500 each, making them one of the most valuable items in the game. To farm them efficiently, you need to know specific locations and mechanics that allow you to collect them without progressing too far into the story.\n\nOne of the best early-game methods to farm gold bars is by visiting the Limpany gold bar location. Limpany is a burned-down town southwest of Horseshoe Overlook, your camp in Chapter 2. Inside the sheriff’s office, you’ll find a lockbox under the desk. Open it to collect a gold bar. This bar respawns after a few in-game days, so you can return periodically to collect it again. This method is ideal for new players as it requires no combat or advanced tools.\n\nAnother reliable location is the train wreck near Cotorra Springs, northeast of Valentine. Here, you’ll find a crashed train with a gold bar hidden in one of the train cars. To access it, climb onto the train and search the luggage inside the car. This gold bar does not respawn, but it’s an easy early-game grab. Be cautious of nearby wolves or predators, as they can pose a threat if you’re unprepared.\n\nFor players willing to explore further, the Braithwaite Manor secret stash is another excellent option. During the story mission ‘The Battle of Shady Belle,’ you’ll raid the manor. After completing the mission, return to the manor and search the basement of the main house. You’ll find a lockbox containing three gold bars. This method requires some story progression but is worth the effort for the payout.\n\nIf you’re looking for a more challenging but rewarding method, consider treasure maps. The Jack Hall Gang treasure map, obtained by looting a random encounter near Flatneck Station, leads to three gold bars. Follow the map’s clues to dig up the treasure. This method requires some exploration and puzzle-solving but is highly rewarding. Similarly, the High Stakes treasure map, found in a tree near Owanjila, leads to another three gold bars.\n\nTo maximize your gold farming efficiency, always carry a shovel. Many gold bars are buried and require digging. Additionally, keep an eye out for random encounters or NPCs offering treasure maps. These can lead to significant rewards. Finally, remember to sell your gold bars to a fence, such as Seamus at Emerald Ranch or the fence in Rhodes, as general stores won’t accept them.\n\nIn summary, farming gold bars early in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a mix of exploration, story progression, and resource management. Focus on Limpany for a respawning gold bar, visit the train wreck and Braithwaite Manor for one-time grabs, and use treasure maps for larger payouts. With these methods, you’ll quickly amass wealth to enhance your gameplay experience.