How can you complete missions with no health item usage for gold medals?

Completing missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 without using health items for gold medals requires careful planning, understanding of game mechanics, and strategic gameplay. The gold medal requirement for no health item usage means you cannot consume any tonics, food, or other items that restore health during the mission. This challenge demands a focus on avoiding damage, managing your health core, and utilizing cover effectively.\n\nFirst, prioritize maintaining your health core before starting a mission. Eat cooked meat, stew, or other high-quality food at camp or in towns to ensure your health core is fully restored and golden. A golden health core provides a health regeneration bonus, which can help you recover from minor damage without needing to use health items. For example, eating Big Game Meat seasoned with herbs like Oregano or Thyme grants a golden health core and additional benefits.\n\nDuring missions, always use cover to minimize damage. Red Dead Redemption 2’s combat system heavily relies on cover mechanics, and staying behind objects like rocks, walls, or wagons can significantly reduce the chances of taking damage. For instance, in missions like ‘Pouring Forth Oil’ or ‘American Distillation,’ use the environment to your advantage by staying behind barrels or crates while engaging enemies.\n\nAnother key strategy is to use Dead Eye effectively. Dead Eye allows you to slow down time and target multiple enemies with precision, reducing the risk of prolonged firefights. Upgrade your Dead Eye ability as early as possible to unlock features like manual targeting, which lets you choose specific body parts for critical hits. This is particularly useful in missions like ‘The Sheep and the Goats,’ where you can quickly eliminate enemies before they can retaliate.\n\nEquip the right weapons for each mission. For example, in missions with close-quarters combat, use a shotgun or revolver for quick kills. In long-range engagements, a rifle like the Bolt Action Rifle or Springfield Rifle is ideal. Always clean and maintain your weapons to ensure maximum damage output and accuracy. A well-maintained weapon can make the difference between taking down enemies quickly or getting overwhelmed.\n\nPay attention to mission-specific challenges. Some missions, like ‘A Fine Night of Debauchery,’ involve scripted events where you might take damage. In such cases, focus on avoiding unnecessary risks, such as engaging in fistfights or running into dangerous areas. Stick to the mission objectives and avoid distractions that could lead to health loss.\n\nFinally, practice patience and precision. Rushing through missions increases the likelihood of taking damage. Take your time to scout areas, plan your approach, and eliminate threats methodically. For example, in ‘The Battle of Shady Belle,’ use stealth to thin out enemy numbers before engaging in open combat. This reduces the risk of being overwhelmed and needing to use health items.\n\nBy following these strategies, you can complete missions without using health items and earn gold medals. Remember to prepare before missions, use cover and Dead Eye effectively, and prioritize precision over speed. With practice, you’ll master the art of completing missions flawlessly.