How do you manage health and Dead Eye cores during tough missions?

Managing health and Dead Eye cores during tough missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for survival and achieving Gold Medals. Health cores determine your overall stamina and resistance to damage, while Dead Eye cores allow you to slow down time and target enemies with precision. Both cores deplete over time or when taking damage, so maintaining them is essential for success.\n\nTo replenish health cores, you can consume food, tonics, or cooked meat. Items like canned beans, salted meat, and fresh game meat (e.g., venison or rabbit) are readily available. For faster recovery, use potent health tonics like Bitters or Special Health Cure, which can be crafted or purchased from general stores. Cooking meat at campfires or using the satchel to store provisions ensures you always have a backup supply during missions.\n\nDead Eye cores can be restored by consuming items like chewing tobacco, cigars, or Dead Eye tonics. These items are often found in lootable containers or purchased from stores. Additionally, performing headshots or killing enemies in Dead Eye mode can slightly refill the core. For tougher missions, stock up on potent Dead Eye tonics like Snake Oil or Special Snake Oil, which provide a significant boost.\n\nDuring missions, always keep an eye on your cores by checking the HUD. If your health or Dead Eye core is low, take cover and use the appropriate item to replenish it. For example, in the mission ''Pouring Forth Oil IV,'' where you defend the oil wagon from enemies, use Dead Eye to quickly eliminate attackers and consume tonics to stay alive. Similarly, in ''American Distillation,'' where you face waves of enemies, prioritize health tonics and cooked meat to sustain yourself.\n\nGame mechanics also play a role in core management. Eating too much can lead to Arthur becoming overweight, which reduces stamina regeneration. Conversely, not eating enough can weaken his health. Balance your consumption by eating regularly but not excessively. Dead Eye cores are also affected by Arthur''s stress levels; smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol can temporarily boost Dead Eye but may harm health over time.\n\nPractical tips include looting enemies and exploring the environment for supplies. Many missions have hidden items like tonics or food in nearby cabins, wagons, or crates. For example, in ''The Sheep and the Goats,'' search the barns for provisions before engaging in combat. Additionally, upgrade your satchel at camp to carry more items, ensuring you’re always prepared for tough encounters.\n\nFinally, practice using Dead Eye strategically. Activate it during intense firefights to target multiple enemies quickly, but avoid wasting it on weaker foes. Pair Dead Eye with high-damage weapons like rifles or shotguns for maximum efficiency. By managing your cores effectively and planning ahead, you can overcome even the toughest missions in Red Dead Redemption 2.