How do I save before a high-risk train heist?

Saving your progress before a high-risk train heist in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial to avoid losing hours of gameplay if things go wrong. The game features an autosave system, but relying on it during critical missions like train heists can be risky. Instead, you should manually save your game to ensure you have a reliable checkpoint to return to if the mission fails or doesn’t go as planned.\n\nTo manually save your game, open the pause menu by pressing the Options button on PlayStation or the Menu button on Xbox. Navigate to the Story tab and select Save Game. You can create a new save file or overwrite an existing one. It’s a good idea to create a new save file specifically for the train heist, as this allows you to keep a clean backup of your progress before the mission begins.\n\nBefore initiating the train heist, ensure you are fully prepared. Stock up on essential items like health tonics, ammunition, and throwable weapons such as dynamite or Molotov cocktails. These items can be purchased from general stores or crafted if you have the required materials. Additionally, make sure your horse is well-fed and equipped with a saddle that boosts stamina or health regeneration, as you may need to make a quick escape after the heist.\n\nTrain heists are high-risk activities that often involve law enforcement or rival gangs. To minimize the risk, scout the train’s route beforehand. For example, the train that runs between Riggs Station and Wallace Station is a popular target. Find a secluded spot along the tracks where you can stop the train without attracting too much attention. Use dynamite to blow up the tracks or shoot the conductor to halt the train. Be prepared for a fight, as guards and lawmen will respond quickly.\n\nIf the heist goes south, you can reload your manual save to retry the mission. This is especially useful if you lose valuable loot or fail to complete the heist objectives. Reloading a save also resets the game world, so any lawmen or enemies you killed during the failed attempt will respawn, giving you a fresh start.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to note that train heists can significantly impact your honor level. Killing innocent passengers or causing excessive destruction will lower your honor, which affects how NPCs interact with you. To maintain high honor, focus on targeting only the guards and avoid harming civilians. Experienced players can use stealth tactics to minimize casualties and maximize loot.\n\nFinally, always save your game in a safe location before starting the heist. Avoid saving in the middle of a gunfight or while being pursued by lawmen, as this can lead to a corrupted save file. Instead, save in a quiet area like your camp or a nearby town. This ensures you have a stable checkpoint to return to if the mission doesn’t go as planned.\n\nIn summary, saving before a train heist is a smart strategy to protect your progress. Follow these steps: manually save your game, prepare your inventory, scout the train’s route, and execute the heist carefully. Reload your save if necessary, and always prioritize stealth and minimal casualties to maintain your honor level. With these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle even the most challenging train heists in Red Dead Redemption 2.