How does sparing or killing enemies in “The Sheep and the Goats” affect the story?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the mission "The Sheep and the Goats" presents players with a moral choice that can influence their honor and the story''s progression. This mission involves helping John Marston and Uncle steal sheep from a ranch owned by the rival gang, the Grays. During the mission, players are given the option to either spare or kill the ranch hands who confront them. This decision impacts Arthur Morgan''s honor level and can subtly affect the narrative.\n\nWhen you first arrive at the ranch with John and Uncle, you''ll be tasked with herding sheep into a pen. Afterward, ranch hands will confront you, and you''ll have the option to either intimidate them into leaving or engage in combat. If you choose to spare the ranch hands, Arthur will threaten them, and they will flee without a fight. This choice increases your honor, reinforcing Arthur''s moral standing as a more compassionate outlaw. Conversely, killing the ranch hands will decrease your honor, aligning Arthur with a more ruthless path.\n\nGameplay mechanics in this mission are straightforward but require attention to detail. To spare the ranch hands, aim your weapon at them but do not fire. Instead, use the intimidation mechanic by holding the aim button and pressing the appropriate prompt to threaten them. This will cause them to retreat. If you choose to kill them, simply engage in combat using your preferred weapons. Be mindful of your surroundings, as the ranch is patrolled, and additional enemies may join the fight if alerted.\n\nOne common challenge players face is managing the chaos of combat if they choose to kill the ranch hands. To mitigate this, use cover effectively and prioritize targets to avoid being overwhelmed. The ranch has plenty of obstacles like fences and hay bales that can be used for cover. Additionally, using Dead Eye can help you quickly eliminate multiple enemies, reducing the risk of taking damage.\n\nSparing the ranch hands not only boosts your honor but also aligns with the game''s broader themes of redemption and morality. This choice can influence how NPCs perceive Arthur and may lead to more favorable interactions later in the story. On the other hand, killing the ranch hands reinforces Arthur''s outlaw persona, which can lead to more aggressive encounters and a darker narrative tone.\n\nFor players aiming to maximize their honor, sparing the ranch hands is the optimal choice. However, if you''re roleplaying as a more ruthless Arthur, killing them can be a valid path. Regardless of your decision, the mission progresses similarly, with John and Uncle successfully stealing the sheep. The long-term impact of this choice is more about Arthur''s personal journey than altering major story events.\n\nPractical tips for this mission include saving your game before making the choice, allowing you to experiment with both outcomes. Additionally, ensure your weapons are in good condition and that you have enough ammunition, as combat can be unpredictable. If you''re playing on higher difficulty settings, consider using health tonics to stay alive during fights.\n\nIn summary, the choice to spare or kill the ranch hands in "The Sheep and the Goats" primarily affects Arthur''s honor and the tone of his character arc. While it doesn''t drastically change the mission''s outcome, it adds depth to the narrative and allows players to shape Arthur''s moral compass. Choose wisely based on your preferred playstyle and the story you want to experience.