Red Dead Online's Strange Tales Update Brings Zombies, Robots, and 3X Rewards

Rockstar Games has released a new content update for Red Dead Online titled Strange Tales of the West Vol. 1. The update introduces four new Telegram Missions and is available from July 1 through August 4. During this period, players who complete these missions will receive 3X Gold, 3X RDO$, and 3X XP. This reward multiplier also applies to all other Telegram Missions except those categorized under A New Source of Employment.

The four missions are presented as part of a narrative collection by in-game author Theodore Levin. According to Rockstar, Levin is compiling an anthology based on mysterious events from around the American frontier and has requested the player's help to investigate. Players can start the missions by collecting a letter from any Post Office or their Camp Lockbox. The letter is labeled "Strange Tales of the West Vol. 1" and can be opened from the Satchel or the Player Menu.

The first mission, Strange Tales of the Plague, takes place in the town of Armadillo. The town has been affected by an unidentified illness that transforms people into undead-like beings. The objective is to collect multiple diseased corpses for scientific analysis. Players must avoid infection and defend against attacks from a cult that is active in the area.

The second mission, Strange Tales of Modern Science, is based near Braithwaite Manor. A local man of science has created artificial life forms that now roam the area and kill anyone who enters. The mission requires players to investigate and destroy these mechanical entities.

In the third mission, Strange Tales of the Bayou, players explore the swamps of Lagras. They are tasked with capturing a swamp creature and delivering it to Theodore Levin. While completing this task, players face ambushes from the Swamp Folk, described by Rockstar as hostile inhabitants of the region.

The fourth mission, Strange Tales of the Wilderness, is set in the Tall Trees area. A scientist conducting research on a group of murderers has gone missing. Players must locate the scientist while navigating the wilderness without standard resources, including scavenging for weapons, hunting for food, and crafting items as they continue the investigation.

All four missions are available in any order, and each pairs the player with another participant. After completing a mission, there is a mandatory cooldown period of 20 minutes before the next can be started.

In addition to the new missions, Red Dead Online includes a poker minigame where players can participate in Texas Hold 'Em matches. According to Rockstar’s in-game description and player documentation, poker is accessible in multiple locations and offers both private games and public tables with buy-ins. However, poker is not available in all countries. Rockstar Support has confirmed that access is restricted in regions where local laws prohibit online gambling. While the poker feature uses in-game currency and does not involve real-money transactions, it is disabled entirely in countries where such restrictions apply.

Red Dead Online does not feature loot boxes or randomized content that can be purchased with real money. Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, have previously stated that they do not consider loot boxes to be gambling. No such systems are present in the current version of Red Dead Online, including this update.

Additional bonuses are live through August 4. Players earn 3X RDO$ and 3X XP for all Samples sold to Harriet Davenport. Wildlife Photography events offer 2X RDO$ and XP, while Legendary Animal Sighting Missions provide 3X Role XP and 3X standard XP.

Naturalist role bonuses include:

• Logging in at any time this month yields 50 rounds of Tranquilizer Ammo and a Reward for the North Clingman Treasure Map.
• Selling one Sample to Harriet unlocks the Fiddlehead Emote (originally from Outlaw Pass 5).
• Sampling a Legendary Buck grants the Steel Spectacles (from Outlaw Pass 1).
• Hunting any Legendary Animal unlocks the Estevez Gun Belt and Holster (from Outlaw Pass 4).

Weekly clothing rewards are as follows:

• July 1–7: Complete a round of Wildlife Photography to receive the blue Eberhart Coat.
• July 8–14: Naturalists at Rank 15 or higher who log in receive the blue Torranca Coat.
• July 15–21: Hunt a Legendary Bear to unlock the blue Porter Jacket.
• July 22–28: Complete three Role Challenges to receive the red Concho Pants.
• July 29–August 4: Sell two Samples to Harriet to unlock the red Manteca Hat.

The Featured Series also awards 2X RDO$ and XP. The schedule includes:

• July 1–7: Hardcore Pro Series
• July 8–14: Elimination Series Large
• July 15–21: Hardcore Showdown Series
• July 22–28: Hardcore Plunder and Spoils of War Series
• July 29–August 4: Hardcore Last Stand

A free, community-inspired outfit—designed by Reddit user Familiar_Tangelo_328—is available through the Wheeler, Rawson & Co. Catalogue. The items are:

• Raccoon Hat
• Stringham Shirt
• Outdoorsman Vest
• Buckskin Pants
• Cibola Boots

Discounts during the event include:

• 10 Gold Bars off the Sample Kit
• 50% off Novice and Promising Naturalist Role Items
• 50% off the Sedative Varmint Cartridge Pamphlet
• 40% off the Legendary Animal Pheromone Pamphlet
• 40% off Potent Herbivore Bait Pamphlet
• 40% off Potent Predator Bait Pamphlet
• 40% off clothing sold by Gus
• 40% off Gypsy Cob and War Horses
• 40% off all Ammo
• 30% off all Pistols
• 30% off Pistol Style Customizations
• 30% off Hats, Coats, and Gloves

The update is labeled as Volume 1, indicating the possibility of future releases in the Strange Tales of the West series. However, Rockstar has not announced additional volumes or provided confirmation of upcoming content.

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