All RDR2 Challenges: Complete Guide to All 90
Red Dead Redemption 2 has 90 Challenges: nine sets with ten ranks each. Use this page as the map to every Challenge guide.
- Total
- 90 challenges
- Categories
- 9
- Per category
- 10 ranks
- Progression
- Complete in order
- Master Roshi Technique
- Quick and easy
What these labels mean
- Master Roshi Technique
The best trick for completing that objective.
- Quick and easy
The quick route, with the steps needed to keep it simple.
90 Challenges.
9 sets.
10 ranks each.
Inside each set, ranks unlock in order.
If Sharpshooter 7 is active, Sharpshooter 8 does not exist for the counter yet.
Finish 7 first.
All 9 Challenge sets
| Challenge set | Ranks | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandit | 10 | Robberies and crime |
| Sharpshooter | 10 | Accuracy, distance and special shots |
| Master Hunter | 10 | Hunting, tracking, pelts and predators |
| Gambler | 10 | Poker, blackjack, dominoes and Five Finger Fillet |
| Weapons Expert | 10 | Specific weapons and kill conditions |
| Herbalist | 10 | Plants, gathering and crafting |
| Horseman | 10 | Horses, timed routes and breaking breeds |
| Survivalist | 10 | Fishing, crafting and small-game hunting |
| Explorer | 10 | Treasure maps and treasure hunts |
| Total | 90 |
Bandit
This set covers people, shops, coaches, horses, wagons and trains.
The useful locations are:
- Valentine for people and shops;
- Emerald Ranch for coaches and wagons;
- Clemens Cove for horses;
- trains for Bandit 7 and 10.
Bandit 6 needs the Clemens Cove horse fence, which becomes available in Chapter 3.
Sharpshooter
Ranks that benefit most from a method include:
- Sharpshooter 3: birds from a moving train;
- Sharpshooter 6: a 660-foot kill;
- Sharpshooter 8: three disarms without reloading or switching weapons;
- Sharpshooter 9: knocking off three hats;
- Sharpshooter 10: three birds with three consecutive shots.
Hanging Dog Ranch handles a large part of this set.
Master Hunter
The ranks that usually need a clear route include:
- Master Hunter 6: kill five cougars with a bow;
- Master Hunter 8: catch three fish without a rod;
- Master Hunter 9: find an opossum playing dead;
- Master Hunter 10: kill Giaguaro.
For cougars, the route between Owanjila and the Big Valley Trapper saves a lot of waiting.
Gambler
This set covers:
- poker;
- blackjack;
- dominoes;
- Five Finger Fillet.
The two ranks players regularly complain about are Gambler 8 and Gambler 9.
Gambler 8 asks for luck. Gambler 9, patience. Herbalist 9, a checklist.
Gambler 8
Win three blackjack hands after hitting at least three times.
There is RNG here.
You can throw away bad attempts quickly.
You cannot force the cards.
Gambler 9
Win three consecutive domino games.
Playing one opponent at Emerald Ranch reduces the number of variables at the table.
Weapons Expert
This set uses:
- knives;
- tomahawks;
- dynamite;
- shotguns;
- bows;
- throwing knives.
Several ranks become much easier when you prepare the enemies first.
Herbalist
The early ranks are mostly gathering and crafting.
The large roadblock is:
Herbalist 9.
You need a plant checklist so you know exactly what is still missing.
The route eventually reaches New Austin.
Doing that as Arthur requires community methods involving things such as:
- buggies;
- wagons;
- carcass protection.
If you are not trying to get Legend of the East as Arthur, that part can wait.
Horseman
Several ranks are timed rides.
Two deserve extra planning:
Horseman 6
Strawberry → Saint Denis
Horseman 9
Van Horn → Blackwater without touching water
For Horseman 9, a shorter-looking route can kill the attempt if the game registers water contact.
Choose the route before starting.
Survivalist
This set combines:
- fishing;
- crafting;
- arrows;
- scavengers;
- small game.
Ranks that benefit from clear instructions include:
- Survivalist 7: eight consecutive Small Game Arrow kills;
- Survivalist 9: catch a fish weighing at least 19 pounds;
- Survivalist 10: catch all fifteen required fish species.
Explorer
Explorer is often one of the easiest sets.
You progress by following treasure hunts.
A practical route can chain:
- Jack Hall Gang;
- Poisonous Trail;
- High Stakes;
- Landmarks of Riches.
Following full treasure sequences is easier than treating every rank as a separate puzzle.
Which Challenges are usually the hardest?
There is no official difficulty ranking.
Three ranks appear constantly in community discussions:
Gambler 8
Heavy RNG.
Gambler 9
Three consecutive domino wins.
Herbalist 9
A large plant checklist plus New Austin problems if you are playing as Arthur.
Which set is usually easiest?
Explorer is commonly considered one of the easier sets.
That is player experience, not an official Rockstar difficulty rating.
You do not need to finish one full set before touching another
Use whatever you are already doing.
Don’t make a separate trip for every counter. Make one trip pay twice.
While hunting
Work on:
- Master Hunter;
- Sharpshooter;
- Herbalist;
- Survivalist.
Around enemy camps
Check:
- Sharpshooter;
- Weapons Expert.
During long rides
Look at Horseman.
When you want minigames
Do Gambler.
When you want money too
Combine Explorer with treasure hunts.
This cuts unnecessary travel.
Always check which rank is active
The ten ranks in each set unlock sequentially.
Example:
if Master Hunter 5 is active and you kill five cougars with a bow, Master Hunter 6 does not complete early.
It needs to be active first.
Before starting a method that could take twenty minutes:
open Progress → Challenges → check the active rank.
Five seconds can save half an hour.
What to prepare
Sharpshooter
Useful gear includes:
- Varmint Rifle;
- tomahawks;
- long-range scoped rifle;
- enough ammunition.
Master Hunter
Prepare:
- Varmint Rifle;
- bow;
- Improved Arrows;
- bait.
Weapons Expert
Bring:
- throwing knives;
- tomahawks;
- dynamite;
- crafted ammunition;
- Poison Throwing Knives.
Herbalist
You will need:
- recipes;
- ingredients;
- a Herbalist 9 checklist.
Horseman
Before a timed ride:
- fill your horse stamina core;
- bring Horse Stimulants;
- know the route.
Survivalist
Some ranks require:
- recipes;
- specific arrow types;
- bait;
- lures.
Preparing first is much easier than fixing the attempt halfway through.
Challenges and 100% completion
The Challenge system is part of the route to official 100% completion.
If you are doing a completionist run, keep this open too:
Completing the entire Compendium is a separate target.
The simplest way to handle all 90
Quick and easy- Check the active rank.
- Open the guide for that set.
- Go to the recommended location.
- Bring the required weapon, bait or material.
- Do the method.
- Check that the counter increased.
- Move on.
If the counter does not move, check that guide’s troubleshooting section first.
The problem is often one small condition: reloading, switching weapons, touching water or attempting a rank before it is active.
Frequently asked questions
How many Challenges are in RDR2?
Nine sets of ten ranks.
What are the nine Challenge sets?
Bandit, Sharpshooter, Master Hunter, Gambler, Weapons Expert, Herbalist, Horseman, Survivalist and Explorer.
Can I complete them in any order?
You can switch between sets freely.
Inside each set, ranks unlock in order.
Can I progress a rank before it unlocks?
Do not rely on it.
Check that the rank is active first.
Which Challenges are usually the hardest?
Gambler 8, Gambler 9 and Herbalist 9 regularly appear among the most frustrating.
Which set is usually easiest?
Explorer is commonly considered one of the easier sets.
Are the Challenges required for 100%?
The Challenge system is part of RDR2’s official 100% requirements.
Challenge guides
Sources
Red Dead Wiki — Single-player Challenges in Redemption 2.
Last verified: October 5, 2026.