How Arthur Morgan gets TB in Red Dead Redemption 2

[Warning: The following story contains major spoilers for Red Dead Redemption 2.]

Regardless of how Red Dead Redemption 2 is played Arthur Morgan always contracts tuberculosis and leaves By the end of the game. Although the reveal comes later in the story, there is a specific scene that makes it clear exactly when Arthur catches this, but it may not be apparent during someone’s first playthrough of the game.

Tuberculosis (commonly called TB) is an infection caused by bacteria that often targets the lungs or any other area in the body with a lot of blood and oxygen flowing through it. Like many common pathogens, TB bacteria are airborneAnd can be transmitted when an infected person coughs or talks.

Although there is currently treatment for TB, There were hardly any available options for people unfortunate enough to contract the disease in the late 1800swhen Red Dead Redemption 2 is determined. As Arthur’s doctor recommended, the best treatment was to live somewhere warm and dry, but to simply pack up and leave was not an option available to those in dire financial straits. Most people who were unlucky enough to become infected succumbed to their illness, and Arthur Morgan is an example of this, and passed away from the infection until the end of Red Dead Redemption 2’s History if he wasn’t killed off by Micah first.

When does Arthur contract tuberculosis?

Arthur catches TB early in the story of RDR2

Over the second half of Red Dead Redemption 2It becomes clear that Morgan is sick thanks to his constant coughing and pale complexion. A doctor in Saint Denis confirms Arthur Morgan’s diagnosis of tuberculosisAnd Arthur becomes slower and less agile as the game’s conclusion nears, with the gameplay paralleling how his body and abilities would deteriorate in real life.

This disclosure was established very early on Red Dead Redemption 2s history, however, as Arthur gets TB During the “Money lending and other sins III “Mission. During the search, the loan shark of the Van der Linde gang, Leopold Strauss, tasks Arthur with collecting a debt from various people in a rather uncomfortable sequence that sees many of them plead for mercy as Arthur takes what little they have left To pay off the debt. .

One of these people was Thomas Downes, like many other people who crossed the gang’s path, made the mistake of borrowing money from Strauss, and Arthur finds him working in his garden when he comes to collect what is due. It becomes clear that Downs is not well as he can be seen coughing during their conversationBut the game forces Arthur into an interaction with Downs until Downs coughs up a splatter of blood on Arthur’s face. His family intervenes, begging for mercy and declaring that Downs is not well until Arthur leaves, stating that the van der Lindes “They are not a charity“.

Arthur’s TB diagnosis is established throughout the story of RDR2

Arthur’s death is inevitable

If players had chosen Arthur to use violence during his interaction with Thomas Downes, the latter coughing up blood could be perceived as a result of his beating. however, Coughing up blood is also one of the main signs of TB. Arthur hardly cared about the blood splashed on his face at the time, but in hindsight, the moment confirmed the fact that Downes had TB, and also confirmed that he had it to Arthur, because someone coughed up infected blood. His face is a guarantee. Way to give them tuberculosis in RDR2 As well as in real life.

The next time Arthur returns to the Downes family home in Red Dead Redemption 2’s History, he learns Thomas Downes passed away, having succumbed to his illness. While Arthur initially insists that Thomas’ wife and son are responsible for the debt, later in the play—when Arthur eventually sees the Downes widow working as a prostitute in town—the sight leads him to kick Leopold Strauss out of the Van der Linde gang. For the good, because he finally understands the harm that Strauss is doing wherever he goes. Unfortunately, despite showing some signs of redemption, by this point Arthur has already contracted tuberculosis, eventually paving the way for the conclusion of the game.

Can you save Arthur Morgan?

Can Arthur’s TB be cured in RDR2?

Unfortunately, no matter what players do, Arthur cannot be healed in RDR2. It matters not whether they have high or low honor, stop smoking, or drink every healthy tonic they can get their hands on; Arthur’s death is basically inevitable. After contracting TB from Thomas Downes, Arthur can only sit and watch as his disease progresses throughout the game. His symptoms worsen, and he begins to come to terms with his own mortality, eventually dying during the story mission.”Red Dead Redemption.”

Although Arthur cannot be saved by any player action, His life can be artificially prolonged by player inaction. Some tried to keep Arthur alive by simply ceasing to play any story content after “Our best selves“The Mission Immediately Before”Red Dead Redemption.” Others tried to keep him relatively unaffected by his TB by stopping the story after “fleeting joy,” which was immediately followed by his passing and eventual diagnosis during “A fork in the road.” Still others started new playthroughs, opting to lose all their progress rather than watch Arthur die.

Some have even turned to mods that allow Arthur to live, reversing the course of history. In particular, “Arthur’s Redemption“, uploaded to Nexus Mods by RedPedsIs A full story mod that allows Arthur to live on after his inevitable death at the end of RDR2. This mod replaces the transition in the epilogue with a new set of story chapters, in which Arthur begins to find treatment for his TB and is able to set out on a new adventure. He will have to unite the fractured gang in the absence of Dutch, to ensure their mutual survival while still atoning for their legacy. Since all side content remains untouched in this mod, players can continue controlling Arthur as long as they like.

While all of these decisions allow Arthur to remain alive in the player’s eyes, and still explore most of the map by free roaming, they mean missing out on some of ​​the best – if most tragic – parts of RDR2s history. Arthur will eventually die by the end of the game, regardless of the player’s actions; This is an important part of the plot and an expression of its themes. Whether he spends his last days being honorable or dishonorable, however, is up to the player, and those choices will determine whether Arthur’s last minutes living in Red Dead Redemption 2 Are violent or peaceful.

Source: RedPeds / Nexus Mods