Red Dead Online launched as a standalone purchase on 1 December 2020 at 4.99 dollars, split off from Red Dead Redemption 2 so players could buy the multiplayer without the story mode, and settled at 19.99 dollars after the introductory window closed on 15 February 2021. It puts up to 32 players in the same 1898 map across Ambarino, New Hanover, Lemoyne, West Elizabeth and New Austin, with five specialist Roles carrying most of the progression. Rockstar announced on 7 July 2022 that major themed content updates had ended so staff could move to the next Grand Theft Auto, so treat this as a finished game with seasonal events rather than an active live service.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
New Hanover
Key resources: Valentine stable and gunsmith, Heartlands hunting grounds, central camp placement Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Bolt Action Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Lemoyne
Key resources: Saint Denis fence and tailor, bayou Moonshine Shack sites, alligator hunting Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Bolt Action Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
West Elizabeth
Key resources: Blackwater shops, Big Valley collectible density, Tall Trees predator hunting Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Bolt Action Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
New Austin
Key resources: Low player traffic for deliveries, desert animal species, Tumbleweed and Armadillo shops Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Lancaster Repeater max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ambarino
Key resources: Moose and bear pelts, mountain Moonshine Shack sites, isolated Legendary Animal spawns Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Lancaster Repeater max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (New Hanover to Lemoyne)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Bolt Action Rifle once accessible
Mid Game (West Elizabeth)
- Push Bolt Action Rifle to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Lancaster Repeater
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (New Austin to Ambarino)
- Max out Lancaster Repeater. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring West Elizabeth farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Make Collector your first Role. The Collector's Bag costs 15 Gold Bars, the collectibles it unlocks cost nothing to gather, and complete sets sold to Madam Nazar pay several hundred dollars each, which funds every other Role without needing more gold.
- Farm West Elizabeth during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Red Dead Online Guides
- Red Dead Online Red Dead Online Overview
- Red Dead Online Best Builds
- Red Dead Online Tier List
- Red Dead Online Walkthrough
- Red Dead Online Beginner's Guide
- Red Dead Online Tips & Tricks
- Red Dead Online Weapons Guide
- Red Dead Online Combat Guide
- Red Dead Online Boss Guide
- Red Dead Online Maps & Locations
- Red Dead Online Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Red Dead Online, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Crafting Guide: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Sea of Thieves Crafting Guide: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Crafting Guide: adventure game with similar mechanics
