Summary
ThoughRed Dead Redemption 2’smap is largely similar tothe map from the original game,Red Dead Redemption, it isn’t unlocked for the player until the game’s epilogue. Fans of the originalRed Dead Redemptionmay then be eager to travel down to the town of Armadillo, a simple town emblematic of the era of classic westerns.
Armadillo is a much different town in this game than it will be in just a few short years, with John finding it nearly deserted due to a plague. The quiet and simple land of New Austin may not havethe hustle-and-bustle of Saint Denisor Blackwater up north, but it still has many unique encounters for the player to experience. While these experiences don’t necessarily add anything to the gameplay or provide any special privileges for the player, they could still be exciting for completionists who want to get the most out ofRed Dead Redemption 2.
Updated July 10, 2025, by Stephanie Harris:Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to attract audiences 6 years after its initial release, with the franchise remaining one of the most iconic in the world. Late last year, the original Red Dead Redemption was released on PC for the first time, ultimately drawing more players into the immersive Western-style world. This article highlights some of the NPC encounters players can enjoy in the Armadillo area, which, while subtle, add depth and intrigue to the already fascinating game.
9Undertaker At Coot’s Chapel
An Unhappy Encounter
When John first arrives at Armadillo, it quickly becomes clear that the cholera plague has taken its toll on the town. Travel around to Coot’s Chapel and players may be greeted with the sight of a gravedigger burying and burning a plethora of bodies.
John can have a quiet conversation with him, in which the undertaker will explain that he’s burning the bodies at the request of the townsfolk. The player can choose whether or not to antagonize and kill him,which will result in a loss of honor.
8Helping The Undertaker
An Opportunity To Assist
Alternatively, the player may find the undertaker struggling to carry bodies and place them on his wagon. After dragging so many bodies, he will stop and take a rest to catch his breath.
John is similarly able to have a conversation with him and can join him on the wagon’s journey to the mass grave. Antagonizing the man too much will cause him to attack the player. John also has the chance to loot the corpses, though will lose honor in doing so.
7Family Fleeing Armadillo
An Opportunity To Choose How Honorable To Be
John may come across a man packing up a wagon on his journey to Armadillo. If asked, the man will explain that his family is moving due to the cholera outbreak.
If John chooses to antagonize them, he will threaten to steal their horses and will lose honor. John can instead choose to wish them well. As they leave, the man’s wife will ask if they have enough water for the journey and whether he fed the horses.
6Armadillo Town Crier
Information About The Cholera Outbreak
As the player enters Armadillo, they may discover a man telling everyone to leave because the town is unwell. The man may inform John about the outbreak and how other plagues have infected Armadillo in years past,leaving many to think the town is cursed.
The man will then offer John a pamphlet, which John can then accept or decline. The pamphlet contains information on the cholera plague, most notably how to avoid contracting the disease.
5Armadillo Standoff
A Chance To Be Heroic
Upon entering Armadillo, the player may encounter a standoff between the town’s sheriff and the Del Lobo gang, trying to get an outlaw out of jail. The player can intervene, and the sheriff will thank John for his heroism.
He will then announce that he is resigning and John can help himself to whatever is inside the sheriff’s desk as a reward. If the player does nothing, the sheriff will be shot and killed.
4Sick Man In Armadillo
A Warning To Get Out
As mentioned earlier, Armadillo is infected by the cholera plague by the time John gets there. If he decides to get a drink at the tavern in Armadillo, he may be greeted by a man there.
He’ll tell John that he’s sick, as is everyone else in town aside from the owner of the general store. He then tells John not to stay in Armadillo for too long.
3Del Lobo Execution
Perhaps It’s Best To Ignore This Scene
While Tumbleweed isn’t abandoned like it is in the first game, inRed Dead Redemption 2the town is in decline. When John first enters the town, is greeted by the sight of a lawman escorting a member of the Del Lobo gang.
Sheriff Freeman asks what crime the man committed; upon hearing that it was a stagecoach robbery, Freeman will shoot the gang member. If the player gets too close to the scene, Freeman will warn John to back off. John can also free the gang member before he’s killed, causing a loss of honor.
2Tumbleweed’s Exploding House
An Unexpected Occurrence
Just north of Tumbleweed, John can choose to discover a small house that sits in the distance. Unfortunately for the player, this house cannot be explored. If the player gets too close to the house, it will unexpectedly explode without any reason.
It’s unknown exactly what this building is or why it explodes, but further inspection seems to indicateit was some sort of moonshine distillery. There is also a charred corpse that can be found inside the house, though it can’t be looted.
1Tree Hermit King
Interact With An Unusual NPC
Southwest of Hennigan’s Stead in New Austin, the player can find a man known as the “tree hermit"living in a cabin-like treehouse. If John gets too close to the man’s home, he will shout at the player to go away.
John can shoot the floorboards of the house, which will cause the man to fall to his death. However, if the player places a wagon underneath the treehouse, the man will survive his fall.
