How do your choices in “The Sheep and the Goats” affect the story?
The mission "The Sheep and the Goats" in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a pivotal moment in Chapter 2, where Arthur Morgan and John Marston assist in a cattle herding operation for the gang. This mission introduces key gameplay mechanics and choices that can subtly influence the story and character relationships. While the mission itself is linear, your actions during it can affect your honor level and how characters perceive Arthur.\n\nAt the start of the mission, you’ll meet up with John Marston and Uncle at the gang’s camp in Horseshoe Overlook. The objective is to herd cattle from a nearby ranch to a buyer in Valentine. During the herding process, you’ll need to use the game’s horse controls and herding mechanics. To herd effectively, stay close to the cattle and use the whistle button to guide them. If the cattle scatter, you’ll need to ride around and corral them back into the group. This can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the game’s horse controls, so practice smooth movements and avoid spooking the cattle.\n\nOne of the key choices in this mission occurs when you encounter a group of rustlers attempting to steal the cattle. You can choose to engage them aggressively or try to defuse the situation. If you choose to attack, you’ll gain honor for defending the herd, but you’ll also risk losing cattle if the fight becomes chaotic. Alternatively, if you try to talk them down, you may avoid a fight entirely, but this requires high honor and careful dialogue choices. This decision affects your honor level, which influences Arthur’s moral alignment and how NPCs react to him.\n\nAfter dealing with the rustlers, you’ll continue herding the cattle to Valentine. Along the way, you may encounter additional challenges, such as wolves or bandits. These encounters are random but can be managed by staying alert and using Dead Eye to take out threats quickly. Once you reach Valentine, you’ll complete the mission, and the gang will receive payment for the cattle. This money is added to the camp funds, which can be used to upgrade the gang’s living conditions.\n\nWhile the mission’s immediate impact on the story is minimal, it sets the tone for Arthur’s role in the gang and his relationship with John. Your choices during the mission, such as how you handle the rustlers, can influence Arthur’s honor and how other gang members view him. For example, if you act aggressively, John may comment on your ruthlessness, while a more diplomatic approach can earn respect from the gang.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to focus on mastering the herding mechanics and understanding how honor works. Experienced players can experiment with different approaches to see how they affect the story and character dynamics. Regardless of your playstyle, this mission is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and make choices that reflect your version of Arthur Morgan.\n\nPractical tips for this mission include keeping your horse calm by pressing the calm button when near the cattle, using Dead Eye to quickly eliminate threats, and saving your game before the rustler encounter to test different outcomes. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure a smooth and rewarding experience in "The Sheep and the Goats."