What’s the best way to avoid losing my horse during duels?

Losing your horse during duels in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be frustrating, especially if you’ve bonded with it and invested in upgrades. To avoid this, you need to understand the game mechanics and take proactive steps to protect your horse. Duels often occur in high-stakes situations, such as story missions or random encounters, and your horse can become a target if you’re not careful. Here’s a detailed guide to help you keep your horse safe.\n\nFirst, always position your horse strategically before initiating a duel. When you sense a duel is about to happen, such as during a confrontation with an enemy or a mission-specific event, move your horse to a safe location. Ideally, this should be behind cover or far enough away from the action to avoid stray bullets. For example, if you’re in a town like Valentine or Saint Denis, lead your horse to an alley or behind a building before engaging in combat. This reduces the risk of your horse being hit by enemy fire.\n\nSecond, use the ‘Flee’ command to send your horse away temporarily. To do this, hold the ‘L2’ or ‘LT’ button to focus on your horse, then press the appropriate button to command it to flee (this varies by platform). This is particularly useful in open areas like the Heartlands or Big Valley, where your horse can run to a safe distance. However, make sure you’re not in immediate danger when issuing this command, as it takes a few seconds for your horse to respond and move away.\n\nThird, invest in horse bonding and upgrades. A higher bonding level (up to level 4) makes your horse more obedient and less likely to panic during combat. Additionally, purchasing a better saddle or stirrups can improve your horse’s stamina and health, making it more resilient if it does get caught in the crossfire. For example, the Improved Saddle from the stables in Strawberry or Valentine is a great option for boosting your horse’s stats.\n\nFourth, be mindful of your surroundings during duels. If you’re in a confined space, such as a saloon or a narrow street, enemies may target your horse intentionally. In these situations, dismount and lead your horse to safety before engaging in combat. For instance, during the mission ‘Blessed Are the Meek?’ in Valentine, you can tie your horse to a hitching post outside the saloon to keep it out of harm’s way.\n\nFinally, always carry Horse Reviver in your inventory. This item can save your horse if it gets critically injured during a duel. You can purchase Horse Reviver from general stores or stables, and it’s a good idea to stock up before heading into dangerous areas like Van Horn or Annesburg. If your horse does go down, quickly administer the reviver to bring it back to life.\n\nIn summary, the best way to avoid losing your horse during duels is to plan ahead, use the ‘Flee’ command, invest in bonding and upgrades, and always carry Horse Reviver. By following these steps, you can ensure your horse stays safe and by your side throughout your adventures in Red Dead Redemption 2.