What are the best ways to avoid mission failures during escort missions?

Escort missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be challenging, especially when you''re tasked with protecting an NPC or ensuring their safe arrival at a destination. To avoid mission failures, it''s crucial to understand the game mechanics and adopt strategies that minimize risks. Here''s a detailed guide to help you succeed.\n\nFirst, always stay close to the person or group you''re escorting. The game often penalizes you for straying too far, which can result in an instant mission failure. Use the mini-map to keep track of their location and maintain a reasonable distance. If the NPC is on horseback, match their speed and avoid overtaking them unless necessary. For example, during the mission ''Pouring Forth Oil,'' you must escort a wagon. Staying too far ahead or behind can trigger a failure, so pace yourself accordingly.\n\nSecond, prioritize enemy threats. Escort missions often involve ambushes or random attacks from bandits, rival gangs, or wildlife. Use Dead Eye to quickly eliminate threats before they can harm the NPC or yourself. For instance, in the mission ''The Sheep and the Goats,'' you must protect a herd of sheep from wolves. Activate Dead Eye to target multiple wolves simultaneously, ensuring the sheep remain unharmed. Always carry enough ammunition and healing items like Potent Health Tonics to stay prepared for unexpected encounters.\n\nThird, pay attention to the environment. Escort missions often take place in treacherous terrain, such as narrow mountain paths or dense forests. Avoid risky shortcuts or unstable areas that could endanger the NPC. For example, during ''The Fine Joys of Tobacco,'' you must escort a wagon through a forest. Stick to the main path to prevent the wagon from tipping over or getting stuck, which can lead to mission failure.\n\nFourth, communicate with the NPC if the mission allows it. Some escort missions, like ''The New South,'' require you to interact with the person you''re protecting. Follow their instructions carefully and avoid making decisions that could jeopardize their safety. For example, if the NPC asks you to stop and wait, comply immediately to avoid triggering a failure.\n\nFinally, save your progress before starting an escort mission. This allows you to retry the mission without losing significant progress if something goes wrong. Use manual saves at camp or in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis to ensure you have a backup. This is especially useful for missions with unpredictable outcomes, such as ''The King''s Son,'' where random events can disrupt your progress.\n\nIn summary, to avoid mission failures during escort missions, stay close to the NPC, prioritize threats, navigate the environment carefully, follow instructions, and save your progress. By mastering these strategies, you can complete escort missions efficiently and enjoy a smoother gameplay experience.