Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online lands its biggest update yet today, dubbed The Naturalist. As the name suggests, the update focuses on outer door pursuits that make the most of Red Dead Redemption 2‘s sprawling interpretation of pre-1900 US, and aptly introduces a brand new frontier pursuit: the Naturalist.
Armed with their favored rifle, players will venture into the wilds to search for the mightiest and rarest beasts in the land. Rather than an all-out animal murdering spree, The Naturalist offers two divergent paths that will shape much of how the new pursuit plays out.
On the one hand, players can develop their wildlife spotting skills under the wing of accomplished conservationist, Harriet Davenport, to track and study rare specimens across Red Dead’s five states. Much of the action revolves around tracking and sedating animals to obtain samples for Harriet. Opt to help this keen Naturalist, and you’ll gain access to new Sedative Varmint Cartridges and an Animal Reviver tonic.
On the other hand, we have Gus Macmillan, a mustachioed retired big game hunter, who’ll pay handsome sums for the most elusive hides and pelts. Side with Gus to unlock a beastly Elephant Rifle and an Improved Bow, Legendary Animal apparel, and all manner of advantage-granting Animal Trinkets. Before you try and play both paths simultaneously, note that Harriet won’t take too kindly if you’re poaching game on the side.
Naturally, the new pursuit also ushers in a bevy of new Legendary Animals to track and hunt. As the official press release explains:
”As your Naturalist activities progress, you’ll start to encounter Legendary Animals – these distinctive creatures can be discovered both in Free Roam and through Animal Sighting assignments commissioned by Harriet. Using the Legendary Animal Map as a guide, you’ll learn the locations of their native habitats and then follow information in the Animal Field Guide to locate each one – ultimately deciding whether to obtain samples for Harriet and earn precious rewards, or poach them and have Gus turn their hides into ostentatious apparel for your wardrobe. Explore the world now to find Legendary Cougars, Foxes, Boars, Beavers, Wolves, Bison and Elk – with more Legendary Animals emerging throughout the frontier in the weeks to come.”
The Free Roam Events in The Naturalist Update allow players to jump into one of two formats: Legendary Animal Protection, which tasks players with defending animals from poachers, and Wild Animal Tagging, where players can team up to sedate and tag animals to ultimately discover a bonus Legendary Animal.
For the Naturalist pursuit, progress is recorded by tracking, photographing, and sampling animals to expand the new Animal Field Guide, a compendium of all the fauna inhabiting the frontier. Progressing unlocks new items, skill, and gameplay, including a brand new breed of horse, specialized clothing and accessories, and new tonics such as Weight Loss, Weight Gain, weather altering, and stealth improving brews. Alongside this, there’s a new Mercy Kills skill as well as a new Wilderness Camp and an Advanced Camera to unlock.
The Naturalist also triggers the start of Red Dead Online’s The Outlaw Pass No. 3. It features 80 ranks, each with a selection of items, modification, apparel, and more to unlock.
Rockstar is also packing in some much needed housekeeping to keep Red Dead Online ticking along. Highlights include more Free Roam event variety, new clothing, a broader scope of daily challenges, a new in-camp weapons locker in Story Mode, 250 fixes, balance changes, better matchmaking and team sorting for Showdowns, and other general improvements that address issues such as animal spawn bugs.