Unearthing the Past in Red Dead Redemption 2: A Bone-afide Guide to Dinosaur Fossils
Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is a massive world. It is full of life and secrets. Among its collectibles are dinosaur bones. These bones are remnants of ancient creatures. Arthur Morgan and his gang ride through this Wild West. The bones lead you to an intriguing quest. If you wish to be a virtual paleontologist, this guide is for you. It will help you find dinosaur bones across RDR2, answering all your questions.
Digging Deep: Collecting Dinosaur Bones in RDR2
Ready for a paleontological adventure in the Wild West? Good call! Before you grab a shovel, let’s dive into how to collect dinosaur bones in RDR2.
Arthur Morgan: The Aspiring Paleontologist?
Many players wonder if Arthur can collect all the dinosaur bones. The answer is a bit tricky. Yes, Arthur can find many bones. Clever players have found ways to gather bones early in the game. Some gathered up to 29 bones before meeting Deborah MacGuiness. However, there is a catch.
While Arthur is skilled, the game limits his efforts. If you try to grab the 30th bone before meeting Ms. MacGuiness, it is locked. The game seems to say, “Hold on, Arthur!” This rule connects to the game’s story and the “A Test of Faith” mission given by Ms. MacGuiness. This quest asks you to gather 30 bones. You can grab some before meeting her, but the last bone will remain locked until you start the quest.
So, can Arthur finish the dinosaur quest? Here’s the catch. While he can collect most bones, the final rewards are for John Marston, Arthur’s successor. This is because some bones are in New Austin. This region is dangerous for Arthur. There are invisible snipers who can take him down quickly.
Think of it as a relay race. Arthur collects bones first. But to finish the quest and claim rewards, you will need to play as John Marston. After the epilogue, John can roam New Austin freely and collect the remaining bones without danger. In simple terms, Arthur starts the journey, and John completes it.
Deborah MacGuiness: Your Guide to the Prehistoric West
Every paleontologist needs a mentor. In RDR2, Deborah MacGuiness fills this role. She begins your bone-collecting adventure and starts the “A Test of Faith” mission. Where can you find her?
Ms. MacGuiness appears in different spots based on game progress. The Heartlands region is where to look first. Specifically, search south of the “H” in “Heartlands.” Often, she digs at a bone site south of a badger drawing on the map. Another chance to find her is near Flatneck Station. Look northeast of the station near a rock on a small hill. You’ll probably hear her because she is not quiet.
Upon meeting Deborah, she will start the “A Test of Faith” mission. After you find your first dinosaur bone, mail her the location. This opens the door for more expeditions across the map. For each bone location you send her, she returns with a reward. Think of it as a rewarding pen-pal arrangement.
The quest wraps up after finding all 30 dinosaur bones and mailing her their coordinates. A marker will guide you to her cabin in the Cumberland Forest. This is where you receive your rewards. After arriving and speaking with her, you will see the outcomes of your hard work – her research based on your findings. She will not let you leave without a gift. For your effort, she gives you the Jawbone Knife, a unique and toothy weapon.
Bone-afide Rewards: What You Get for Your Efforts
What do you receive for your hard work hunting dinosaur bones? Is it worth the trouble? The dinosaur bone quest has a blend of rewards, including items, experience points, and bragging rights.
For each dinosaur bone you find, you earn +5 Dead Eye XP. This may not seem game-changing, but it leads to steady experience growth. The main highlights are the items Deborah sends as you collect bones.
When you mail her your first bone’s location, she sends a Quartz Chunk. This is not just any rock; it is essential for crafting the Raven Claw Talisman. Talismans in RDR2 provide passive buffs. The Raven Claw Talisman reduces weapon degradation by 10%, useful for any gunslinger.
After reporting 15 bones, Deborah sends a Skull Statue. This item has no practical use other than being valuable. You can sell it to a Fence for $75, a nice reward for digging deep into history.
Once you find all 30 bones and visit Deborah’s cabin, you earn the Jawbone Knife. It is not an ordinary knife; it has a unique jawbone handle. This knife is functional for combat and hunting. It adds a cool trophy to your collection, showcasing your skills.
Is it worth finding all 30 bones? Perhaps not financially. The $75 Skull Statue and knife won’t make you rich. Yet, the true value lies in the journey, exploring the vast RDR2 world, finishing a tough side quest, and enjoying unique rewards.
Items nabbed during your journey bring bragging rights. Being a virtual paleontologist holds significant value, right?
Arthur’s Barriers: When the Game Prohibits
Red Dead Redemption 2 offers vast freedom. Yet, for Arthur Morgan, there are clear boundaries due to game design and narrative. Players often feel these limits, like invisible fences in the Wild West.
New Austin and Blackwater: Areas Off-Limits to Arthur
A key limit is Arthur’s access to New Austin. This region featured prominently in the first Red Dead Redemption. If Arthur attempts to wander into New Austin, a lethal sniper force awaits. It’s not just one sniper; it’s a system designed to keep Arthur away. Venture into the area, and you will face relentless fire from these marksmen. This restriction effectively prevents access until John Marston’s epilogue.
Why this limit? Narratively, it connects RDR2 to events in RDR1, meant for John Marston’s exploration. Gameplay-wise, it keeps players from areas reserved for epilogue content while Arthur is still playable. Even if you long to roam New Austin’s dusty plains, the game does not allow it. Eurogamer’s guide highlights dinosaur bone locations, noting some bones lie in these Arthur-restricted zones.
Blackwater presents another barrier for Arthur, albeit differently. It allows entry but comes with heavy law enforcement presence. Entering Blackwater triggers a “wanted dead or alive” status and leads to an officer pursuit. You can technically step into Blackwater, but exploring comes with peril. It’s not an invisible wall; it’s a heavily guarded zone.
Arthur’s Tuberculosis: A Fixed Destiny
Another inescapable limit for Arthur is tuberculosis (TB). Arthur contracts TB after meeting Thomas Downes. Players often wish to cure or prevent Arthur’s TB. Unfortunately, this is impossible. TB is a fixed narrative event; it can’t be avoided in the game’s story. Polygon’s guide to dinosaur bones highlights areas Arthur can explore, subtly showing narrative constraints he faces.
No herbal cures or miracle tonics exist in the Wild West that can save Arthur from TB. It mirrors the time’s limited medical knowledge and serves as a crucial part of his character arc. His illness deeply affects his journey and relationships. Some players explore workarounds to delay TB’s onset, but these are not true cures. Arthur’s red and sickly eyes remind players of his unavoidable fate. It’s a poignant part of his story, showcasing harsh truths of the time and the limits faced by even the toughest outlaws.
Items and Missions: John’s Exclusive Features
Arthur faces limitations with items and missions only available to John Marston in the epilogue. We’ve noted the bone quest’s feasibility for John due to New Austin access, but more exists.
For instance, Otis Miller’s revolver is a unique weapon Arthur cannot obtain. This item ties to a treasure hunt exclusive to the epilogue. The legendary catfish—a massive fish—can only be caught by John. Its habitat reinforces New Austin’s epilogue focus. Such restrictions help differentiate gameplay between Arthur and John.
Dinosaur Facts and Fossils: Real World Connections
Red Dead Redemption 2 is fictional, but its dinosaur bone quest connects to real paleontology. Let’s explore dinosaur fossils and the hurdles in uncovering these ancient remains.
The Search for Complete Dinosaur Skeletons
Have paleontologists found a fully complete dinosaur skeleton? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Despite years of fossil hunting, a perfect skeleton remains elusive. Factors contribute to this incomplete reality.
Fossilization is rare and flawed. Bones need rapid burial under sediment to become fossils. Natural processes like erosion and time can damage fossils. Often, bones are lost before fossilization starts, dispersed by water or scavengers.
The most “complete” bones are composites, often missing parts or containing replicated pieces. Sue, the well-known T-Rex skeleton at the Field Museum in Chicago, exemplifies this. Even Sue is around 90% complete. Business Insider’s article explores the rarity of complete skeletons.
Hadrosaurus, found in 1858, marked a historical point in paleontology for being one of the most complete skeletons at that time. It was even the first mounted dinosaur displayed publicly in 1868. However, by today’s standards, it also lacks completeness. The quest for complete skeletons continues amidst fossilization challenges.
Popular Dinosaurs: T-Rex, Spinosaurus, and More
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t specify which dinosaur bones players collect, but it ignites curiosity about these ancient giants. Here are brief details about some popular dinosaurs mentioned in the [CONTENT_BRIEF].
Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex): T-Rex ranks as perhaps the most famous dinosaur. Sue represents a relatively complete T-Rex skeleton. The “Wankel T. rex,” also found in Montana, adds to T-Rex knowledge even without full completeness.
Spinosaurus: This giant carnivore, distinct for its sail-like back, attracts paleontological attention. While complete Spinosaurus skeletons are missing, significant finds offer insights into its structure.
Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus: These two massive dinosaur contenders rivaled T-Rex in size. Giganotosaurus was somewhat larger. Known from fragmentary remains, their complete fossils continue to be a paleontological priority.
The Challenges of Finding Dinosaur Bones
Finding dinosaur bones isn’t simply about luck or chance encounters (unless you live in fossil-rich areas). Various factors contribute to their rarity and difficulty in discovery.
Fossilization Needs: Fossilization requires specific circumstances like rapid burial.
Land-based dinosaur fossils are less common. Aquatic environments promote sediment buildup. This increases fossilization chances. Dinosaurs that died on land were often not buried quickly. Thus, fossilization is less likely.
Erosion and Destruction: Even with fossilization, geological processes can erode fossils over millions of years. Tectonic movements, weathering, and erosion can damage fossil-containing rock layers. This exposes fossils to elements, risking destruction. Finding fossils requires searching areas with exposed older rock layers.
Dinosaur Bones: Legality, Sales, and the Bible
Some quirky questions about dinosaur bones arise. Can you sell dinosaur bones? Are dinosaurs in the Bible? Why are Spinosaurus teeth inexpensive?
Selling Dinosaur Bones: Selling dinosaur bones is legal depending on where you find them. In the USA, it’s generally legal to sell fossils from private land. Yet, fossils on public land are protected. Laws vary by country, so local regulations are crucial.
Dinosaurs in the Bible: Dinosaurs are not mentioned by name in the Bible. The term “dinosaur” was coined in the 19th century, after the Bible was written. Some creationists interpret certain creatures as dinosaurs. This is not widely accepted in scientific or theological circles.
Spinosaurus Teeth Price: Spinosaurus teeth are cheap compared to other dinosaur fossils. Their abundance in the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco accounts for this. Local populations collect and sell these teeth for income. High supply and lower labor costs contribute to the low price.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Elements: Beyond Bones
While dinosaur bones are interesting in RDR2, the game features other complex details and mechanics. Let’s explore a few other elements.
Blackwater: A City with Two Real-World Counterparts
Blackwater, a key city in West Elizabeth, connects to two real places. There’s a city named Blackwater in Missouri, USA. Also, Blackwater was once a private military company, now known as Academi. These connections may be intentional, but they give the fictional city more real-world resonance.
Rarest Animals, Dead Eye, and Best Horses
RDR2 includes a rich ecosystem of animals and mechanics like Dead Eye. The Carolina Parakeet is considered the “rarest” non-legendary animal in RDR2 for its elusive nature and extinction. Dead Eye lets players slow time for precise aiming. Players can activate this by clicking the right analog stick on consoles or pressing Caps Lock or the middle mouse button on PC. Refilling Dead Eye requires tonics or food items. The “best” horse in RDR2 varies by player preference. However, the Rose Grey Arabian and Silver Dappled Missouri Fox Trotter often rank high for speed, acceleration, health, and stamina.
RDR2 Lore and Legacy: Arthur, RDR3, and Setting
Now, let’s discuss broader questions about Red Dead Redemption’s lore and its future.
Arthur Morgan in RDR1: A Retcon or Narrative Choice?
Arthur Morgan is central in RDR2 but not mentioned in Red Dead Redemption 1. Is this a retcon? Not quite. Arthur’s absence might seem like a retcon at first, but he did not exist when RDR1 was created. RDR2 is a prequel that introduces Arthur in the Van der Linde gang’s story. His death provides a narrative reason for his absence in RDR1, but he was just conceived later.
Red Dead Redemption 3: Will We Ride Again?
Will there be a Red Dead Redemption 3 (RDR3)? Rockstar Games hasn’t confirmed it. However, industry speculation suggests it’s likely. RDR2’s success makes a sequel inevitable. Speculated release windows often range from 2026 to 2030, following typical development cycles. Whether RDR3 continues the Marston family story, explores a different era, or introduces new characters is still unknown.
RDR2 Setting: 1899, the End of an Era
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in 1899, a significant year in American history. It depicts a fictional United States during the Wild West’s decline. The game shows the shift from frontier life to a modern, industrial society. This change is reflected in evolving landscapes and law enforcement pressures on the Van der Linde gang. RDR2 is a prequel to the first game, set in 1911. The timeline and setting enrich its story, exploring change, progress, and the fading frontier spirit.
Here it is – a deep dive into dinosaur bones in Red Dead Redemption 2, alongside a broader look at the game’s lore, limitations, and ties to real-world dinosaur science. Saddle up, grab your virtual tools, and prepare to uncover prehistoric secrets in the Wild West. Enjoy your bone hunting!
