Dust off your spurs and prepare for the unexpected, cowpoke. Red Dead Online, the sprawling multiplayer component of Red Dead Redemption 2, has just received a surprise injection of bizarre and otherworldly phenomena with the launch of the “strange tales of the West – Volume 1″ update. This significant content drop arrives after a period of relatively minimal updates, signaling a potential renewed focus from Rockstar Games on the frontier. Dive into a Wild West where the lines between reality, science fiction, and the supernatural blur, offering players new mysteries to solve and substantial rewards to earn.
This new content arrives in the form of four unique Telegram missions. These strange requests come courtesy of Author Theodore Levin, who is diligently compiling a collection of unexplained occurrences from across the American frontier. He needs brave (or perhaps foolhardy) individuals to investigate the wildest claims that have crossed his desk. Players eager to embark on these peculiar adventures can find Mr. Levin’s letter awaiting them. Simply visit any Post Office or check your Camp’s Lockbox to retrieve it. Once you have the letter, you can open it through your Satchel or directly launch the Telegram Missions via your Player Menu. This marks the beginning of a journey unlike any seen in Red Dead Online before.
Unveiling the Strange Tales: Four New Missions
The “Strange Tales of the West” update introduces distinct new narratives that push the boundaries of the Red Dead universe. Each mission presents a unique challenge, ranging from confronting the undead to battling mechanical horrors and tracking mythical beasts. Players will need every ounce of their courage and grit to face these threats and uncover the truth behind Levin’s cryptic reports. The inclusion of these unique, standalone stories delivered via Telegrams allows players to jump into the action quickly and experience diverse, self-contained adventures.
Strange Tales of the Plague
Head south to the dusty, desolate town of Armadillo. Once a bustling hub, it is now afflicted by a horrifying malady that turns its residents into shambling, undead creatures. This chilling narrative echoes themes reminiscent of the fan-favorite Undead Nightmare expansion from the original Red Dead Redemption. Your objective is grim but crucial: retrieve several of these diseased corpses for scientific examination. Navigating the town requires extreme caution; not only must you avoid infection from the decaying residents, but you also face attacks from a resurgent cell of aggressive cultists operating nearby. Success demands steely resolve and the ability to fend off simultaneous threats.
Strange Tales of Modern Science
Science takes a dark and dangerous turn near the elegant grounds of Braithwaite Manor. Rumors tell of a brilliant, perhaps mad, man of science who claims to have created artificial life. These mechanical beings, or automatons, now reportedly stalk the manor’s surroundings. They are said to be deadly, eliminating anyone unfortunate enough to stumble upon their patrol paths. Players are tasked with bringing this strange experiment to light. This involves discovering the secrets behind the artificial life forms and destroying any automata that stand in your way. Be prepared for a fight against metallic foes unlike the usual bandits and wildlife of the West.
Strange Tales of the Bayou
Venture into the treacherous wetlands of Lagras, where something truly unholy is said to lurk. The swamps are thick with mystery and danger, calling for explorers to proceed at their own risk. Be especially wary of ambushes by the local Swamp Folk, who fiercely protect their territory and view outsiders with hostility. Your mission is to track down and capture the legendary swamp creature for Theodore Levin’s anthology. This task will test your tracking skills and survival instincts in one of the most atmospheric and dangerous environments in the game. Only the bravest will succeed in bagging this mythical beast.
Strange Tales of the Wilderness
The dense forests of Tall Trees hold a disturbing secret. Investigate reports of a missing scientist who was last seen conducting peculiar research on a crew of dangerous murderers. This mission quickly devolves into a desperate fight for survival when the operation goes sideways. You’ll need to rely entirely on your survival skills to navigate the hostile environment. This means scavenging for weapons, crafting essential items, and hunting for food to sustain yourself. All the while, you must track down both the missing scientist and their dangerous captors through the challenging wilderness. This tale tests your resourcefulness and ability to adapt under pressure.
Stack Up Rewards: Bonuses and Monthly Payouts
Beyond the thrilling new narratives, the “Strange Tales of the West” update and accompanying monthly events offer players exceptional opportunities to earn valuable resources. Rockstar Games is significantly boosting payouts for participating in a variety of activities across Red Dead Online, making this an opportune time to log in and explore the frontier. These bonuses apply not just to the new content but to several existing features, providing a great incentive for players of all types. Taking advantage of these limited-time boosts can significantly accelerate your progress in the game.
Through August 4th, players tackling the new Strange Tales of the West Telegram Missions will receive a massive 3X Gold, RDO$, and XP. This triple bonus makes completing these unique stories incredibly rewarding. It’s worth noting that other “A New Source of Employment” Telegram Missions do not currently award this specific triple bonus. However, Telegram Missions overall remain a reliable source of income and experience.
Naturalists have extra reasons to engage with the wilderness this month. Assisting conservationist Harriet Davenport by using nonlethal force to gather wildlife samples is highly lucrative. All Samples Sold will earn you 3X RDO$ and XP through August 4th. For those who prefer a more passive approach, quietly stalking the woods and wilds for rare fauna is also rewarding. Earn 2X RDO$ and XP on Wildlife Photography activities. Additionally, players seeking a more direct interaction with iconic creatures will earn 3X Role XP and standard XP on Legendary Animal Sighting Missions.
Competitive players haven’t been left out. Leap into the fray of the Featured Series anytime this month to earn 2X RDO$ and XP. This includes Hardcore versions of popular modes like Plunder, Shootout, and Hostile Territory, alongside a week of large-scale Gun Rush modes. Check the calendar for specific dates like July 22-28 for Hardcore Plunder and Spoils of War Series.
Playing Red Dead Online anytime this month automatically nets you the stylish Rebellion Poncho. Naturalists who log in this month will also receive 50 rounds of Tranquilizer Ammo and a Reward for the North Clingman Treasure Map, aiding their conservation efforts. Further specific cosmetic rewards are tied to engaging with Harriet’s activities: selling any Sample awards the Fiddlehead Emote (returning from Outlaw Pass 5), while successfully sampling a Legendary Buck earns the Steel Spectacles (from Outlaw Pass 1). If you prefer hunting, successfully taking down any Legendary Animal this month provides the returning Estevez Gun Belt and Holster from Outlaw Pass 4. Additional weekly login/completion bonuses include specific clothing items like coats, pants, and hats throughout July and early August.
Community Spotlight: The Mountain Man Outfit
Celebrating the creativity within the Red Dead Online community, this update also highlights a player-designed outfit. Created by Redditor FamiliarTangelo328, this look pays homage to the rugged figure of the Mountain Man. These resilient individuals endured harsh climates by bundling up in sturdy buckskins and foraged pelts. Players can assemble this distinctive look for themselves by claiming the necessary items for free directly from the Wheeler, Rawson & Co. Catalogue in-game. It’s a fantastic way to honor the spirit of the frontier while showing off a unique, community-inspired style.
The Significance of Volume 1
The inclusion of “Volume 1” in the title of the “Strange Tales of the West” update carries particular significance for the Red Dead Online community. For a couple of years, since around 2022, Rockstar Games had indicated a shift in development resources towards Grand Theft Auto 6, leading many players to believe RDO would receive only minimal future updates. The unexpected release of this content pack, complete with its own dedicated trailer (the first since late 2021), suggests that Red Dead Online is far from abandoned. The “Volume 1” designation explicitly implies that Rockstar has plans for future installments of these bizarre and unique missions. This signals a potential return to providing more substantial content updates for the game, offering renewed hope for the community and promising more strange adventures to come. Whether this leads to larger expansions or simply a steady stream of these ‘Strange Tales’ remains to be seen, but it’s a positive sign of life for the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start the new Strange Tales of the West missions?
To begin the “Strange Tales of the West” missions, you need to retrieve the special letter from Author Theodore Levin. You can find this letter at any Post Office location across the map or within your personal Camp’s Lockbox. Once you have the letter, you can access the missions by opening it directly from your Satchel or by navigating to the Telegram Missions section within your Player Menu. There are four distinct missions available in this Volume 1 update.
What kind of rewards can I earn from the new update?
The “Strange Tales of the West” missions offer substantial rewards. Through August 4th, completing any of these new Telegram Missions grants you 3X the usual Gold, RDO$, and XP. Additionally, the update period features numerous other bonuses across Red Dead Online activities, including triple RDO$ and XP on Samples Sold, double RDO$ and XP on Wildlife Photography, and triple Role XP and XP on Legendary Animal Sighting Missions. Monthly logins and activity completions also award free cosmetic items and resources like tranquilizer ammo.
Are the Strange Tales of the West missions similar to Undead Nightmare?
One of the new missions, “Strange Tales of the Plague,” features zombie-like enemies in the town of Armadillo, drawing clear parallels to the popular Undead Nightmare expansion from the original Red Dead Redemption. While this particular mission brings a similar spooky vibe and the first instance of true undead enemies to Red Dead Redemption 2’s world, the “Strange Tales” are delivered as standalone Telegram Missions rather than a large, encompassing game mode. The update includes other bizarre elements like robots and mythical creatures, offering diverse experiences beyond just the undead.
Conclusion
The arrival of the “Strange Tales of the West – Volume 1” update is a significant and exciting development for Red Dead Online players. It delivers a fresh wave of unique, bizarre, and often supernatural content through compelling new Telegram Missions featuring zombies, robots, swamp creatures, and intense survival scenarios. The update is not only a testament to the untapped potential for strange happenings in the Wild West but also comes packed with generous rewards, offering triple bonuses on the new missions and various other activities. The “Volume 1” designation offers a glimmer of hope for continued support and potentially more strange tales in the future. Whether you’re a long-time player or looking for a reason to return, now is an excellent time to saddle up, investigate the weird, and reap the benefits in Red Dead Online. The frontier just got a whole lot stranger.
