Every RDR2 Chapter 6 Mission and How to Complete Them Before the Finale

Chapter 6 Snapshot

Red Dead Redemption 2 Chapter 6 features 15 core story missions and between 5 to 8 optional honor missions , depending on your choices and honor rank. The chapter is set primarily at Beaver Hollow , north of Annesburg. To experience the full narrative, players should aim for Honor Rank 4 to unlock specific missable content before starting the mission "Our Best Selves," which serves as the final trigger for the game's conclusion.

As Arthur Morgan’s journey nears its end, Chapter 6 stands out as the most emotionally charged segment of the game. Unlike the earlier chapters focused on expansion and survival, Chapter 6 is a race against time, declining health, and the fracturing of the Van der Linde gang. Navigating the mission list correctly is essential for players who want to see Arthur’s redemption arc reach its full potential.

How Many Missions Are in RDR2 Chapter 6?

The exact number of missions in Chapter 6 can be confusing because different tracking methods yield different results. According to data from IGN and GTABase , the count typically ranges from 19 to 23. This discrepancy exists because some sources count multi-part missions (like the Sadie Adler arc) as a single entry, while others separate them.

Mission Type Count Key Requirement
Core Story Missions 15 Mandatory for progression
Optional Honor Missions 5-8 Honor Rank 4+ / Specific choices
Stranger Missions 3-4 Exploration-based

It is important to note that Chapter 6 is significantly more linear than Chapter 2 or 3. While the early game offers hundreds of billions of possible mission orders, the final chapter narrows the path to drive the narrative toward its inevitable conclusion. However, the order in which you tackle the Wapiti Indian Reservation arc versus the gang's internal conflicts can change the pacing of the story.

Complete List of Chapter 6 Story Missions in Chronological Order

The following list represents the main path through Beaver Hollow. While some missions can be played out of order, they generally follow this sequence as the gang's situation deteriorates.

The Initial Beaver Hollow Setup

  • A Fork in the Road: A short but pivotal mission where Arthur visits a doctor in Saint Denis. This mission is mandatory and triggers automatically after a certain point.
  • Icarus and Friends: Arthur meets Sadie Adler in Saint Denis to scout Sisika Penitentiary using a hot air balloon. This mission introduces the "Rescue Arc" for John Marston.
  • Visiting Hours: Arthur and Sadie row to Sisika to finally break John out of prison. This is a high-action mission that significantly increases the tension between Arthur and Dutch.

The Wapiti and Rains Fall Arc

These missions focus on Arthur’s relationship with the Native American tribe at Wapiti. Completing these is widely regarded as essential for Arthur’s character growth.

  • Just a Social Call: Arthur and Dutch meet Cornwall in Annesburg. This mission sets the stage for the final conflict with the Pinkertons.
  • A Rage Unleashed: Arthur helps Eagle Flies and the Wapiti warriors recover stolen horses from a military ship.
  • Archeology for Beginners: Arthur rides with Rains Fall. Pro Tip: If you complete this mission without killing any soldiers, Rains Fall rewards you with the Owl Feather Trinket, which permanently reduces Core drain speeds.
  • Honor, Amongst Thieves: A follow-up where Arthur assists Captain Monroe in recovering vaccines for the reservation.
RDR2 Chapter 6 Mission Selection Screen
Chapter 6 missions focus heavily on the Roanoke Ridge and Wapiti regions.
Image source: GTA Base

The Final Confrontations

  • The Delights of Van Horn: Arthur and Bill Williamson ambush a military convoy to secure explosives.
  • The Bridge to Nowhere: Arthur and John blow up a railroad bridge to cut off military reinforcements. This mission features a poignant conversation between the two protagonists.
  • Goodbye, Dear Friend: Arthur, Dutch, and Sadie attend the execution of Colm O'Driscoll in Saint Denis.
  • Favored Sons & The King's Son: The final escalation of the conflict between the Army and the Wapiti, leading to a daring rescue of Eagle Flies.
  • My Last Boy: The massive assault on the oil fields. Many players mistake this for the point of no return, but you can still save your game after this mission.

How to Unlock the Optional Honor Missions in Chapter 6

Chapter 6 contains some of the most impactful writing in the game, but much of it is hidden behind the Honor system. If your Honor is too low, you will miss out on Arthur’s attempts to make amends for his past.

Do Not Seek Absolution I and II

This mission arc involves Edith Downes, the widow of the man Arthur beat for a debt in Chapter 2. To trigger this, you must have Honor Rank 4 (the bar should be at least 50-60% toward the right). You will find the prompt in Annesburg. It is a top-tier example of Arthur's internal change and is highly recommended for a "High Honor" playthrough.

Mrs. Sadie Adler, Widow I and II

While Sadie is a main character, her personal quest to wipe out the remaining O'Driscolls at Hanging Dog Ranch is technically optional. You can choose to help her or decline. Choosing to help not only provides a significant boost to Honor but also completes Sadie’s character arc before the finale.

Money Lending and Other Sins VI and VII

The final debt collection missions for Leopold Strauss. In Chapter 6, Arthur’s perspective on these debts shifts dramatically. Completing these missions allows Arthur to finally confront Strauss and kick him out of the camp, a moment many fans consider a significant step forward in Arthur's redemption.

The Optimal Mission Order for Narrative Pacing

Playing missions in the order they appear on the map isn't always the most impactful way to experience the story. Community wisdom from Reddit discussions suggests clustering missions into "narrative arcs."

Step 1: The Redemption Arc. Focus on the Rains Fall and Edith Downes missions early. These establish Arthur’s changing worldview while he is still healthy enough to travel easily. This makes his later loyalty to John feel more earned.

Step 2: The Rescue Arc. Complete the Sisika prison break and the O'Driscoll execution mid-chapter. This clears the board of secondary villains and focuses the narrative entirely on the internal rot within the Van der Linde gang.

Step 3: The Downfall Arc. Save "The Bridge to Nowhere" and "My Last Boy" for the very end. These missions involve heavy combat and high stakes that lead naturally into the final sequence.

What Is the Point of No Return in RDR2 Chapter 6?

One of the most common questions among players is when the game stops allowing you to explore the world. There is a specific trigger that locks you into the ending sequence.

CRITICAL WARNING: The mission "Our Best Selves" (triggered by talking to Dutch at Beaver Hollow) is the true point of no return. Once you start this mission, you will be forced into the final mission, "Red Dead Redemption," without any break. You cannot save, change outfits, or visit shops until the Epilogue begins.

Why My Last Boy Is Not the End

Because "My Last Boy" features a massive battle and cinematic music, many players assume they have reached the end. However, after the battle, you return to Beaver Hollow. This is your final opportunity to finish any remaining side quests, hunt legendary animals, or visit friends as Arthur Morgan.

Arthur’s Bucket List: Things You Must Do Before the Final Mission

Because the transition to the Epilogue changes the world state, certain activities are "missable" or change significantly if left for later.

  • The Charlotte Balfour Arc: Located at Willard’s Rest in the far northeast. Arthur can teach a widow how to survive in the wild. If you don't finish this as Arthur, the outcome for Charlotte in the Epilogue is much bleaker.
  • Camp Requests: By Chapter 6, the morale at Beaver Hollow is so low that most camp members will no longer accept items. If you have Dutch’s Pipe or Mary-Beth’s Fountain Pen, turn them in immediately at the start of the chapter, or they will remain stuck in your inventory forever.
  • The Veteran (Hamish Sinclair): While you can finish this as John, many players find it more meaningful to complete the first three parts as Arthur and save the final hunt for the Epilogue to create a bridge between the two characters.

Gold Medal Requirements for Chapter 6 Missions

For completionists, Chapter 6 offers some of the most difficult Gold Medal challenges in the game. Most combat missions require an accuracy rating of 80% or higher and a specific number of headshots.

  • My Last Boy
  • Mission Key Gold Requirement Difficulty
    Goodbye, Dear Friend Find Colm's back-up within 45 seconds Medium
    The King's Son Get 15 headshots while escaping Hard
    80% Accuracy & No health items Hard

    Final Takeaways for Completing Arthur’s Story

    Key Completion Strategy

    1. Monitor your Honor: Reach Rank 4 early in the chapter to ensure you don't miss the Edith Downes or Strauss missions.
    2. Prioritize Willard's Rest: Complete the Charlotte Balfour missions as Arthur to see his most compassionate side.
    3. Get the Owl Feather Trinket: Complete "Archeology for Beginners" without killing anyone for a permanent stat boost.
    4. Clear your inventory: Turn in any remaining camp requests before the gang's morale drops too low to accept them.
    5. The Final Save: Create a manual save file before starting "Our Best Selves" to preserve your ability to play as Arthur in the open world.
    6. Finish Sadie's Quest: Help Sadie at Hanging Dog Ranch to conclude the O'Driscoll storyline properly.

    Before you talk to Dutch for the final train heist, take one last ride across the heartlands to appreciate the world you've explored.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many missions are in Chapter 6 exactly?

    There are 15 mandatory story missions. However, if you include the optional Honor missions (like the Edith Downes and Strauss quests) and the multi-part Sadie Adler missions, the total count reaches 23. To get the 100% completion trophy, you only need to focus on the core missions, but the optional ones are highly recommended for the story.

    Can I still play as Arthur after Chapter 6?

    Once you complete the final mission of Chapter 6, "Red Dead Redemption," the story transitions into the Epilogue. From that point forward, you play as a different character. If you wish to continue playing as Arthur, you must keep a manual save file from before the mission "Our Best Selves."

    What is the best mission to stop at to keep exploring?

    While "My Last Boy" is a popular stopping point, "The King's Son" is arguably better. It leaves the world in a state where most side content is still available, but Arthur has access to almost all high-end gear and weapons. Just avoid the "D" icon at camp to prevent the finale from starting.

    Which missions are missable in Chapter 6?

    The most notable missable missions are "Do Not Seek Absolution" (requires high honor), "Money Lending and Other Sins VI & VII," and "Of Men and Angels." Additionally, many camp interactions and item requests disappear as the chapter progresses and the gang's morale collapses.

    Where is the Chapter 6 camp located?

    The camp is located at Beaver Hollow. It is situated in the Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover, tucked into a cave north of Annesburg and west of Butcher Creek. It is widely regarded as the most depressing camp location due to its dark atmosphere and the tension among the gang members.