What’s the best way to approach missions with escort objectives?

Escort missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be challenging, especially when aiming for Gold Medals. These missions often require you to protect or guide an NPC (non-playable character) to a specific location while ensuring their safety. To succeed, you need to balance speed, precision, and situational awareness. Here’s a detailed guide to help you approach these missions effectively.\n\nFirst, understand the mission requirements. Escort missions typically have objectives like keeping the NPC alive, reaching the destination within a time limit, and avoiding damage to the NPC or yourself. For example, in the mission ''Pouring Forth Oil IV,'' you must escort a wagon while defending it from enemies. Knowing these objectives beforehand allows you to plan your approach and prioritize actions.\n\nNext, position yourself strategically. Always stay close to the NPC or vehicle you’re escorting, but not so close that you’re vulnerable to enemy fire. Use Dead Eye to quickly eliminate threats, especially during ambushes. For instance, in ''The Sheep and the Goats,'' you must protect a herd of sheep from wolves. Position yourself between the wolves and the sheep, and use Dead Eye to take out multiple wolves quickly.\n\nPay attention to the environment. Escort missions often take place in areas with natural cover, such as rocks, trees, or buildings. Use these to your advantage to avoid enemy fire and protect the NPC. In ''The King’s Son,'' you escort a wounded soldier through a forest. Stay behind trees and use them as cover while engaging enemies.\n\nManage your resources. Escort missions can be lengthy, so ensure you have enough ammunition, health tonics, and Dead Eye tonics. Stock up on these items before starting the mission. For example, in ''The Fine Joys of Tobacco,'' you escort a wagon while fending off waves of enemies. Having enough supplies ensures you can handle prolonged combat.\n\nCommunicate with the NPC. Some missions allow you to give commands to the NPC, such as telling them to stay put or follow you. Use these commands to control their movement and keep them out of harm’s way. In ''The New South,'' you escort a group of workers through a dangerous area. Use commands to keep them close and avoid unnecessary risks.\n\nFinally, practice patience and precision. Rushing through escort missions can lead to mistakes, such as leaving the NPC vulnerable or missing critical objectives. Take your time, aim carefully, and prioritize the NPC’s safety. For example, in ''The Battle of Shady Belle,'' you must escort a group of allies through a battlefield. Moving too quickly can result in losing allies or failing the mission.\n\nIn summary, escort missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 require careful planning, strategic positioning, and resource management. By understanding the mission objectives, using the environment to your advantage, and communicating with the NPC, you can successfully complete these missions and earn Gold Medals. Remember to stay patient, use Dead Eye effectively, and always prioritize the safety of the NPC or vehicle you’re escorting.