If you have spent any time exploring Red Dead Redemption 2, you already know it is more than a western sandbox. It is a living world full of people worth meeting, even when they have nothing to do with the main story.
Some of the best writing, rewards, and moments come from its Stranger Missions, the white question marks that always pull you away from whatever you were planning to do.
Here is my take on the ten best side missions in Red Dead Redemption 2. These are the ones that leave a mark long after the story ends, not just because of the rewards, but because of what they reveal about Arthur Morgan and the world around him.
RDR 2: Why Side Missions Matter
Red Dead Redemption 2 rewards curiosity. Every path can lead to something unexpected, a strange encounter, a quiet story, or a fight you did not see coming. Stranger Missions often come with rare weapons, gear, or horses, but what really makes them special is how they show the human side of the game.
These stories make the world feel alive. Sometimes you help a widow learn to survive, other times you get pulled into something bizarre that only Rockstar could come up with. Either way, these moments remind you that Arthur’s choices matter, even when no one is watching.
The Noblest of Men, and a Woman
You can start this one in Chapter 2 after meeting a writer in the Valentine saloon. He is working on a book about famous gunslingers, and Arthur ends up tracking them down. Most of them challenge you to duels, and if you win, you get four unique revolvers and about 350 dollars. Just remember to loot right away, or those guns will disappear.
What makes this mission great is how it connects to Arthur’s past. You meet legends who lived by the gun, and you see what that life did to them. It feels like Arthur is facing versions of what he could become. I like it because it captures that quiet reflection on the cost of violence without ever spelling it out.
The Veteran
Near O’Creagh’s Run, Arthur meets Hamish Sinclair, a one-legged veteran. What starts as a light meeting turns into one of the most touching side stories in the game. You fish and hunt together until Hamish’s final battle with a massive boar. He gives Arthur his horse, Buell, before dying. Buell is one of the best horses in the game and becomes a symbol of that friendship.
I love this mission because it shows Arthur’s humanity better than any cutscene could. There is just a mutual respect between two men who have both been through hell. It is one of the few times Arthur feels genuinely at peace.
A Bright Bouncing Boy
In Saint Denis, you meet Marko Dragic, an eccentric inventor trying to bring his ideas to life. You help him build a robot powered by lightning, but things go wrong fast. When you return later, you find him dead and the robot wandering, muttering “papa.” It is eerie, strange, and unforgettable.
This mission stands out because it breaks from the tone of the rest of the game. It feels like stepping into a piece of early science fiction inside a western world. I like it because it shows Rockstar’s willingness to experiment and because it makes you think about how progress can destroy the dreamers behind it.
He’s British, Of Course
Up near Dewberry Creek, Arthur runs into a circus guy trying to get his animals back. Only problem is, most of them are fakes.
The tiger is a dog, the zebra is a painted mule. But the final animal, the lion, is real and angry. You get a lion’s paw trinket and a gem worth 250 dollars out of it. It is a goofy mission, but the writing makes it worth it.
Duchesses and Other Animals
In Saint Denis, collector Algernon Wasp sends you on a long hunt for rare plants and birds. It takes time, but you walk away with a custom revolver and a stylish hat. It is a mission for completionists, but the payout and detail make it worthwhile.
This quest can feel like busywork, but I like it for the way it pulls you across the map. You end up seeing parts of the world you might have ignored otherwise, from the swamps to the highlands. It rewards patience and curiosity more than skill, and sometimes that slower pace is exactly what the game does best.
Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners
This mission ties into the city’s politics. You get involved with the mayor and his assistant, and your choices affect how it ends. There is no cash reward, but the quest adds depth to the world and builds Arthur’s honor if you play it right.
What I like about it is how it exposes the corruption behind the glamour of Saint Denis. Everyone is pretending to be respectable, but the city runs on greed and secrets.
The Widow of Willard’s Rest
Up north of Annesburg, Arthur helps a widow named Charlotte. She cannot survive on her own, so Arthur teaches her to hunt and shoot.
If you visit later as John, she remembers what Arthur did. It is a quiet mission, but the emotion hits harder than a lot of the main story beats. It is the kind of moment that defines who Arthur is becoming in the second half of the game.
Oh, Brother
Two brothers are fighting over the same woman and rope Arthur into their foolish contests. You shoot bottles off their heads, ride barrels over waterfalls, and witness plenty of nonsense. It is short, funny, and a nice break from the heavier storylines.
I like this one because it reminds you that Red Dead Redemption 2 can be genuinely funny. It plays with the idea of macho rivalry in a lighthearted way, and Arthur’s deadpan responses make the whole thing even funnier.
Geology for Beginners
Francis Sinclair asks Arthur to find strange rock carvings scattered across the map. He talks oddly, and the ending suggests he might be a time traveler. The reward is small, a rock statue worth 50 dollars, but the mystery makes it stand out.
This quest leaves some questions unanswered. It is weird, mysterious, and oddly comforting that the game never explains it fully.
Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego
Early in the game, Arthur and Hosea go hunting for a legendary bear. You get a solid horse and your first legendary pelt out of it. It is simple, but it introduces key systems like hunting and horse management in a memorable way.
This mission sets the tone for everything that follows. It captures the bond between Arthur and Hosea and shows how even basic hunts can turn into stories worth retelling.
Final Thoughts
Every player has a different list. Maybe yours includes the man by the train tracks or a strange cabin in the woods. That is the beauty of Red Dead Redemption 2. Its best stories do not always come from the main missions but from the small discoveries along the way.