How do I craft and use tonics and provisions for survival?

Crafting and using tonics and provisions in Red Dead Online is essential for survival, especially during intense combat, hunting, or exploration. Tonics restore health, stamina, or Dead Eye, while provisions like cooked meat or canned goods replenish your cores. To craft these items, you’ll need to gather ingredients, unlock recipes, and use a campfire or portable crafting kit.\n\nFirst, gather ingredients by exploring the open world. Herbs like Yarrow, Ginseng, and Sage can be found in forests, plains, and near water sources. Animal parts, such as meat and fat, are obtained by hunting wildlife. For example, deer and boars provide high-quality meat, while smaller animals like rabbits and birds yield game meat. Always carry a varmint rifle or bow for hunting to avoid damaging pelts and meat.\n\nNext, unlock recipes by purchasing them from Fence vendors or finding them in the world. Recipes like Potent Health Cure or Special Snake Oil are invaluable for restoring large amounts of health or Dead Eye. Visit Fences in towns like Rhodes or Saint Denis to buy these recipes. Some recipes are also unlocked through rank progression or by completing specific challenges.\n\nTo craft tonics and provisions, you’ll need a campfire or portable crafting kit. Campfires are available at your camp or in towns, while the portable crafting kit can be purchased from the Wilderness Outfitters catalog. Once you have the necessary ingredients and recipes, interact with the crafting station and select the item you want to create. For example, to craft a Potent Health Cure, you’ll need Yarrow, Ginseng, and Indian Tobacco.\n\nUsing tonics and provisions is straightforward. Open your satchel by holding the left D-pad (on consoles) or the appropriate key on PC, navigate to the tonics or provisions section, and select the item you want to use. Tonics like Bitters or Snake Oil instantly restore your cores, while provisions like cooked meat provide gradual replenishment. Always carry a variety of items to handle different situations, such as combat or long journeys.\n\nA common challenge is running out of ingredients during critical moments. To avoid this, stockpile herbs and animal parts whenever possible. For example, collect Yarrow and Ginseng while traveling between missions, and hunt animals whenever you encounter them. Store excess items in your satchel or at your camp’s lockbox for later use.\n\nAnother tip is to cook meat at your campfire to create provisions that restore more health and stamina. For example, cooked Big Game Meat restores a significant amount of health and can be seasoned with herbs like Oregano or Thyme for additional benefits. Always cook meat instead of eating it raw to maximize its effectiveness.\n\nFinally, consider using tonics strategically during combat or missions. For example, use a Potent Health Cure when your health is critically low, or consume a Potent Snake Oil to quickly refill your Dead Eye meter during a shootout. Keep an eye on your cores and use provisions to maintain them before they deplete completely.\n\nIn summary, crafting and using tonics and provisions in Red Dead Online requires gathering ingredients, unlocking recipes, and using crafting stations. Always stockpile resources, cook meat for better benefits, and use items strategically to survive in the harsh world of the Wild West.