What’s the best way to avoid horse collisions with NPCs in RDR2?

Avoiding horse collisions with NPCs in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for maintaining your honor, avoiding bounties, and ensuring smooth gameplay. The game’s realistic mechanics mean that collisions can lead to hostile NPCs, law enforcement involvement, or even your horse getting injured. To minimize these risks, follow these detailed tips and strategies.\n\nFirst, always be aware of your surroundings. The game’s open world is densely populated with NPCs, especially in towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, and Blackwater. These areas have narrow streets and heavy foot traffic, making collisions more likely. Slow down when entering towns and keep an eye on the mini-map for red dots, which indicate nearby NPCs. This will help you anticipate their movements and avoid sudden collisions.\n\nSecond, use the ‘calm’ button (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) to keep your horse under control. When riding at high speeds, your horse may panic or veer off course, increasing the risk of hitting NPCs. Calming your horse not only reduces its stress but also makes it easier to steer. This is particularly useful in crowded areas or when navigating tight spaces like bridges or alleyways.\n\nThird, master the art of steering and braking. Use the left stick to guide your horse and the right trigger to control speed. When approaching a crowded area, release the right trigger to slow down and tap the left trigger to brake if necessary. This gives you more time to react to NPCs crossing your path. For example, in Saint Denis, where NPCs often step into the road unexpectedly, slowing down can prevent accidents.\n\nFourth, avoid galloping in towns or near groups of NPCs. While it’s tempting to speed through areas, doing so increases the likelihood of collisions. Instead, trot or canter, which gives you better control over your horse. If you’re in a hurry, use the cinematic camera mode to let the game auto-navigate for you, but only on open roads where NPC traffic is minimal.\n\nFifth, pay attention to NPC behavior. Some NPCs will move out of your way if they see you coming, while others may freeze or step into your path. For example, in Valentine, drunk NPCs near the saloon are more unpredictable and may stumble into the road. Anticipate these behaviors and adjust your speed and direction accordingly.\n\nFinally, if a collision does occur, immediately stop and assess the situation. If the NPC is injured, you can use a health tonic or revive them if you have the appropriate items. Apologizing (by pressing the greet button) can sometimes de-escalate the situation, but be prepared to flee if the NPC becomes hostile. In towns, law enforcement may intervene, so it’s often best to leave the area quickly.\n\nBy following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of horse collisions with NPCs in Red Dead Redemption 2. Practice patience, stay alert, and always prioritize control over speed, especially in crowded areas. These strategies will help you maintain your honor, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and enjoy a smoother gameplay experience.