What are the best ways to earn XP in Red Dead Online?

Earning XP in Red Dead Online is essential for leveling up, unlocking new abilities, and accessing better gear. The game offers a variety of activities that reward XP, and understanding how to maximize these opportunities is key to progressing efficiently. Below are the best ways to earn XP, along with step-by-step instructions and practical tips.\n\nOne of the most straightforward ways to earn XP is by completing Story Missions. These missions are available from the start of the game and provide a significant amount of XP upon completion. To start a Story Mission, open the Player Menu (left on the D-pad) and select ''Story Missions.'' These missions are divided into honorable and dishonorable paths, so choose based on your preferred playstyle. Completing these missions not only grants XP but also introduces you to the game''s mechanics and world.\n\nFree Roam Events are another excellent source of XP. These events occur periodically and are marked on your map with a yellow icon. Examples include Fishing Challenges, Horse Races, and King of the Castle. Participating in these events is simple: when the event notification appears, accept the prompt to join. Even if you don''t win, you''ll still earn XP for participation. Focus on events that match your strengths, such as hunting or combat, to maximize your rewards.\n\nBounty Hunting is a lucrative activity for earning XP, especially once you unlock the Bounty Hunter role. To start, visit a Bounty Board in any town, such as Valentine or Saint Denis. Accept a bounty, then track and capture the target. Higher difficulty bounties reward more XP, so aim for these as your skills improve. Use tools like the Reinforced Lasso to make capturing targets easier. Completing bounties also earns you gold and cash, making it a well-rounded activity.\n\nHunting and Trading are core activities for the Trader role, which you can unlock by speaking to Cripps at your camp. Start by hunting animals and bringing their pelts and carcasses to Cripps. He will process these into goods, which you can then sell for XP and cash. To maximize efficiency, hunt large animals like deer or elk, as they provide more materials. Once your goods are ready, initiate a Delivery Mission to sell them. These missions are risky but reward substantial XP, especially for long-distance deliveries.\n\nCollecting items for the Collector role is another effective way to earn XP. To start, purchase the Collector''s Bag from Madam Nazar, who moves around the map daily. Use the Collector''s Map or online tools to locate valuable items like tarot cards, coins, and fossils. Each item you collect grants XP, and completing sets provides even more. This role is ideal for players who enjoy exploration and don''t mind traveling across the map.\n\nDaily Challenges are a consistent source of XP and gold. These challenges reset every day and range from simple tasks like cooking meat to more complex objectives like winning a PvP match. Completing multiple challenges in a row increases your streak, boosting your rewards. Check the Daily Challenges tab in the Player Menu to see the available tasks. Prioritize challenges that align with your current activities to save time.\n\nFinally, PvP modes like Shootouts and Takeovers are great for earning XP if you enjoy combat. These modes are accessible from the main menu or by accepting invites in Free Roam. Focus on improving your aim and using ability cards to gain an edge. Even if you don''t win, you''ll earn XP for kills and assists. Play regularly to refine your skills and climb the leaderboards.\n\nTo maximize your XP gains, always use Ability Cards that complement your playstyle. For example, ''Paint It Black'' is excellent for PvP, while ''Strange Medicine'' is useful for survivability in PvE. Additionally, equip weapons and gear that suit your activities, such as a bow for hunting or a shotgun for close combat. Finally, join a posse to tackle group activities like Trader Deliveries or Bounty Hunting, as these often yield higher rewards.\n\nIn summary, the best ways to earn XP in Red Dead Online include completing Story Missions, participating in Free Roam Events, engaging in Bounty Hunting, hunting and trading as a Trader, collecting items as a Collector, completing Daily Challenges, and playing PvP modes. By focusing on activities that align with your strengths and using the right tools, you can level up quickly and enjoy all the game has to offer.