Red Dead Redemption features four Ambient Challenges, each with ten ranks leading to legendary status. Each rank involves completing a specific task. Achieving all ten ranks for a single Ambient Challenge unlocks the Frontiersman trophy or achievement. To earn the Redeemed trophy or achievement, which signifies 100% Completion, all ranks across all challenges must be completed.
Progress for a task only counts once that specific rank is active. Previous completions of a requirement will not count retroactively. It is advisable to frequently camp and save progress while pursuing challenges, as rank advancements do not trigger an autosave. Challenge progress can be monitored in the game’s menu under Journal > Challenges.
Expansion challenges are also available and are detailed later in this guide. These are not required for 100% completion of the main game.
This guide is current for the Remastered version across PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch 2, and Mobile platforms.
Main Game Challenge 1: Master Hunter
The Master Hunter challenge begins upon the first successful kill and skinning of a coyote. Typical animal locations are provided below; consider using bait if difficulties arise in locating specific creatures.
- Rank 1: Obtain 5 coyote pelts. Coyotes are frequently found in packs within Cholla Springs and nearby regions.
- Rank 2: Acquire 5 deer pelts. Ensure to target deer without antlers, as bucks do not count for this rank.
- Rank 3: Eliminate 5 wolves using a melee knife and collect 5 wolf pelts. Wolves often appear in packs around Rathskeller Fork or Rio Del Lobo.
- Rank 4: Gather 5 boar tusks and 3 armadillo carapaces. Killing and skinning these animals is sufficient, regardless of the specific materials obtained. Boars inhabit the swampy region east of MacFarlane Ranch near Stillwater Creek and are plentiful in southern West Elizabeth, particularly near Manzanita Post.
- Rank 5: Dispatch 2 cougars with a melee knife and collect 2 cougar pelts. Cougars pose a significant threat, so carry ample medicine. A pistol shot can weaken them before a knife finish. Pursue them if they retreat to charge again, and use the knife as they turn. Be aware of potential groups and save immediately after each kill. Cougars are found in Rio Bravo near Fort Mercer, and along the northern boundaries of Cholla Springs and Gaptooth Ridge.
- Rank 6: Collect 5 raccoon pelts, 5 skunk pelts, and 5 fox pelts. Raccoons and skunks are common near Hanging Rock, while foxes inhabit Rio del Lobo, Rio Bravo, and the area south of Armadillo.
- Rank 7: Gather 5 elk meat and 5 bighorn skins. This task requires access to Tall Trees, where elk are exclusively found. Bighorn sheep are also prevalent in the snowy region north of Manzanita Post.
- Rank 8: Defeat a bear using a melee knife and collect a bear pelt. Weaken the bear with rifle shots before engaging with the knife; only the killing blow needs to be from the knife. Remain vigilant for other bears in the vicinity. Bears are frequently encountered in Tall Trees, particularly north of Manzanita Post.
- Rank 9: Locate and defeat “Khan,” the legendary jaguar, in Ojo Del Diablo and collect its pelt. Approaching Ojo Del Diablo should trigger a message and a yellow dot on the mini-map indicating Khan’s presence. If not, eliminate some local animals, then leave and return. Khan exhibits movements similar to a larger, swifter cougar. Employ Dead Eye as soon as a target lock is possible.
- Rank 10: Find and collect the pelts of “Lobo” the legendary wolf in Aurora Basin, “Gordo” the legendary boar in Stillwater Creek, and “Brumas” the legendary bear at Nekoti Rock. The strategies for locating Khan apply to these legendary animals as well; follow the mini-map dot to track them.
Main Game Challenge 2: Sharpshooter
The Sharpshooter challenge activates upon the first successful shot of a flying bird.
- Rank 1: Shoot down 5 flying wild birds. Utilize Dead Eye or aim ahead of the bird’s flight path.
- Rank 2: Eliminate 5 rabbits. These animals are ubiquitous, particularly in Hennigan’s Stead, Cholla Springs, and near Armadillo.
- Rank 3: Defeat 5 coyotes without taking damage from any of them. As coyotes hunt in packs, a single Dead Eye activation can often achieve this. A simple method involves running away from a pack until they cluster behind, then activating Dead Eye to target the group.
- Rank 4: Shoot 5 flying birds from a moving train. Access the train’s roof via the ladder on a cargo car.
- Rank 5: Eliminate 2 different types of wild animals within a single Dead Eye meter. A quick approach involves targeting ground animals in areas with abundant birds.
- Rank 6: Remove the hats from 2 different individuals. Hideouts, especially Twin Rocks with its Walton Gang members wearing distinctive top hats, are ideal. If headshots occur too frequently, aim for the hat’s brim. Using Dead Eye with a Rolling Block Rifle simplifies this task.
- Rank 7: Defeat 3 bears with a single headshot each. Employ Dead Eye and align a headshot using a Buffalo Rifle or Rolling Block Rifle for an instant kill.
- Rank 8: Remove the hats from 2 people and disarm 2 individuals. Return to Twin Rocks for these additional hat shots and disarms.
- Rank 9: Eliminate 6 wild animals (including birds) without reloading or switching weapons. Birds, especially vultures, are easy targets due to their abundance and single-hit defeat. Utilize Dead Eye with a high-capacity weapon, such as the Evans Repeater, which holds 22 shots.
- Rank 10: Disarm 6 enemies without reloading or switching weapons. A return to Twin Rocks with the Evans Repeater is recommended. Use Dead Eye to precisely target the enemies’ weapons.
Main Game Challenge 3: Survivalist
The Survivalist challenge commences after collecting the first Wild Feverfew plant.
- Rank 1: Gather 6 Wild Feverfew plants, common and easily identifiable in Hennigan’s Stead and Cholla Springs.
- Rank 2: Collect 6 Desert Sages, found in and around Gaptooth Ridge. These are medium-sized green bushes with purple flowers.
- Rank 3: Acquire 4 Red Sage plants, located in and around Rio Bravo. These are among the most challenging plants to find due to their low profile and muted red color, often resembling short wheat. A Survivalist Map is highly beneficial for locating them.
- Rank 4: Gather 8 Prickly Pears, found in and around Punto Orgullo. These are medium-height cactus patches topped with bright orange or red flowers.
- Rank 5: Collect 7 Wooly Blue Curls, located in and around Perdido. Despite the name, these plants are not blue; look for medium-height patches of green leaves with tall sprigs of purple flowers.
- Rank 6: Gather 8 Butterfly Weeds, found in and around Diez Coronas. These are easily identifiable as tall, thin green bushes with bright orange flowers.
- Rank 7: Collect 10 Hummingbird Sage plants, found in and around Tall Trees. These are easily spotted as whitish sprigs rising above their green foliage.
- Rank 8: Gather 12 Prairie Poppies, found in and around the Great Plains. These appear as patches of bright yellow flowers.
- Rank 9: Collect 15 Golden Currants, found in and around the Great Plains. These are tall green bushes with broad branches that are prominent in the landscape.
- Rank 10: Collect 10 Violet Snowdrops, found in and around Tall Trees. These are small patches of deep purple flowers. Additionally, acquire 2 more of every other herb previously collected. A Survivalist Map and fast travel can assist in revisiting locations for the remaining 9 herbs.
Main Game Challenge 4: Treasure Hunter
The Treasure Hunter challenge is initiated by a random map event. Encounter a man under attack by bandits, hiding behind a wagon with two deceased horses. Saving him yields the first treasure map; if unsuccessful, the map can be retrieved from his corpse. This action simultaneously starts the challenge and grants Rank 1. Each subsequent treasure discovered includes a new map, guiding to the next location and rank.
- Rank 1: Automatically achieved upon obtaining the first treasure map.
- Rank 2: Rhodes’ Gold.
Locate two slightly smaller rocks directly behind Hanging Rock. Proceed between them to find a distinct pile of rocks nestled in the corner, against Hanging Rock. 
- Rank 3: Jackson’s Gold.
Despite the initial image depicting Del Lobo Rock from below, direct access is not required. Follow the road southeast of Riley’s Charge to the camp at the summit. South of the cookfire is the gap marked ‘II’ on the map. 
Traverse this gap and follow the path to a drop-off leading to a lower path, where the recognizable rock pile awaits. 
- Rank 4: Calhoun’s Gold.
This treasure is in the basement of the dilapidated mansion west of Tumbleweed. Access the basement via the cellar doors on the south side, and locate the rocks near the west wall. 
- Rank 5: Tubman’s Gold.
The tree adorned with cow skulls is situated north of Chuparosa in Rio del Toro. From this tree, proceed north towards the river and around the wall opposite the road. 
- Rank 6: Brown’s Gold.
Travel to Crooked Toes, south of Puerto Cuchillo. The rock pile is positioned atop the rock formation between the “toes.” 
- Rank 7: Douglass’ Gold.
The map clearly depicts Ojo del Diablo. The rock pile is located at the end of the path on the southwest side of the formation. 
- Rank 8: Garrison’s Gold.
The rock formation is Roca de Madera. From this point, look southwest to identify a path along the cliff, just below the summit. Follow this path to its conclusion to find the rock pile. 
- Rank 9: Pickett’s Gold.
This treasure is located at the Broken Tree, east of Beecher’s Hope. At its base, a broken wall contains the pile of stones between two sections. 
- Rank 10: Stonewall’s Gold.
The treasure is situated within the bear cave north of Manzanita Post, encountered during the “Spare the Love, Spoil the Child” mission. The rock pile rests against the cave’s far wall. 
Legends and Killers DLC Challenge: Tomahawk
The Tomahawk Challenges, originally part of the Legends and Killers DLC in the 2010 release, are automatically included in the Remastered version across PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Completing all Tomahawk Challenges awards the Axe Master trophy or achievement, a requirement for Platinum in the PS4/PS5 Remaster, but not for 100% main game completion.
Unlock Requirement: Purchasing tomahawks at Manzanita Post reveals the Tomahawk Mastery Challenge and instantly completes its first rank. To achieve legendary rank, all five ranks must be finished.
- Rank 1: Purchase the tomahawk from the general store at Manzanita Post.
- Rank 2: Eliminate one enemy with a thrown tomahawk, one with a melee tomahawk, and one from horseback. To throw, use / to aim and / to release. For melee, release / and press / at close range to chop an enemy.
- Rank 3: Strike down a flying bird with a tomahawk without employing Dead Eye. Areas with numerous corpses often attract circling vultures. The accessible roof of the Twin Rocks hideout provides an advantageous position for targeting vultures.
- Rank 4: Defeat 5 consecutive enemies with the tomahawk without missing. For ease, engage in melee combat and execute five individuals.
- Rank 5: Clear a Gang Hideout using only tomahawks. Twin Rocks is a manageable location, though two enemies are positioned atop rocks. Accurately throwing tomahawks at them can be challenging; climbing to engage them in melee is often quicker. The rancher’s daughter may perish, but the hideout completion will still register upon eliminating the final enemy.
Liars and Cheats DLC Challenge: Explosive Rifle
The Explosive Rifle Challenges, introduced with the Liars and Cheats DLC in the 2010 original, are automatically part of the Remastered version across PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Achieving all Explosive Rifle Challenges unlocks the Master Exploder trophy or achievement, necessary for Platinum in the PS4/PS5 Remaster, but not for 100% main game completion.
Unlock Requirement: The Explosive Rifle is available for purchase from the Blackwater gunsmith. This purchase not only reveals the Explosive Rifle Mastery Challenge but also completes its first rank. To reach legendary rank, the subsequent tasks must be finished:
- Rank 1: Acquire the Explosive Rifle from the Blackwater gunsmith.
- Rank 2: Eliminate 5 enemies in cover using the Explosive Rifle. At any gang hideout, wait for enemies to take cover. Defeat them indirectly by aiming the explosion at the ground, a wall behind them, or another nearby object to ensure they are hit while concealed.
- Rank 3: Defeat 3 enemies with a single shot. In the initial section of Pike’s Basin, a small group of enemies is isolated. Hogtie three gang members, group them together, and then use the Explosive Rifle.
- Rank 4: Eliminate 2 wild animals with one shot from the Explosive Rifle. Packs of coyotes or wolves, wild horse herds, or flocks of birds are suitable targets for easy completion.
- Rank 5: Acquire and equip the US Army Uniform. While wearing this uniform, eliminate an enemy with the Explosive Rifle.
Undead Nightmare DLC Challenges
Four challenges must be completed for 100% completion in Undead Nightmare, which unlocks the Zed’s Dead, Baby trophy or achievement.
Undead Nightmare DLC Challenge 1: Four Horses of the Apocalypse
- Rank 1-4: These ranks involve locating and taming the Four Horses of the Apocalypse, which can be done in any sequence. A message indicating a mythical creature nearby and a blue search area on the map will appear when in proximity to one of the horses.
- Pestilence: Appears throughout West Elizabeth.
- War: Found in New Austin, frequently in Gaptooth Ridge and western Cholla Springs.
- Famine: Spawns across Nuevo Paradiso.
- Death: Appears in New Austin.
- Pestilence: Appears throughout West Elizabeth.
- Rank 5: Eliminate one of each undead type using Death’s power. While mounted on Death, any human undead trampled will instantly perish. Traversing Jorge’s Gap can account for at least three of the four types; then proceed to Gaptooth Ridge to find a Retcher to complete the challenge.
Undead Nightmare DLC Challenge 2: Undead Hunter
- Rank 1: Eliminate 100 Fresh Undead and 25 Bolters. Fresh Undead are common walking zombies, while Bolters are those that drop to all fours and run. These kills accumulate quickly during normal gameplay.
- Rank 2: Defeat an additional 25 Bruisers and 15 Retchers. Bruisers are large undead that charge, and Retchers are those with glowing green patches that spit.
- Rank 3: Utilize a single Retcher explosion to eliminate two other undead. This can be achieved at the gate of El Presidio, where Retchers often appear amidst groups of undead. Employ Undead Bait to cluster them before headshotting the Retcher to trigger its explosion.
- Rank 4: Defeat 2 undead bears, 5 undead wolves, and 3 undead cougars using a torch. Mount the Horse of the Apocalypse, Pestilence, which is invulnerable, to strike these undead with the torch from horseback. Exercise caution to avoid human undead that can dismount you, particularly when hunting bears and wolves in Tall Trees. Cougars also appear there, though less frequently. The Gaptooth Ridge area east of Cueva Seca and Rio Bravo are suitable locations.
- Rank 5: Locate and eliminate the Chupacabra. This action also unlocks the Chupathingy trophy. The Chupacabra can appear throughout Nuevo Paradiso, most frequently near Torquemada. Use Pestilence and defeat it from horseback with a rifle.
Undead Nightmare DLC Challenge 3: Undead Treasure Hunter
- Rank 1: Discover the first map within a wilderness camp chest and locate the treasure. The treasure map appears during one of two ambient events: either a man consuming human remains by a campfire or a scientist with a gatling gun; both camps contain treasure chests. Looting a chest randomly yields the map. Access the map from the Kit menu.
The small train station and windmill adjacent to MacFarlane’s Ranch serve as the initial landmark. From there, proceed north from Pike’s Basin, crossing the train tunnel, and follow a long uphill path into the snowy peaks to the end of a box canyon, where the familiar rock pile is openly visible. 
- Rank 2: From Venter’s Place, look east to identify the cliff and trees depicted on the treasure map.
Head east, veering slightly north, to find the path leading up to the ledge containing the treasure’s rock pile. 
- Rank 3: This treasure is located on the cliffs above The Scratching Post, looking north.
As indicated on the map, circle around the back of the rock to find the path ascending to the summit. 
- Rank 4: In Sepulcro, two similar statues exist, but only one features palm trees in the background.
Follow the path shown in the second image to discover a cluster of three trees with the rocks positioned between them. 
- Rank 5: The map displays the distinctive arch of Casa Madrugada. Follow the train tracks southeast.
When approximately north of Sepulcro, search for a path to ascend to the ledge at the base of the cliffs. The treasure-bearing rocks will be situated at the edge of this ledge. 
Undead Nightmare DLC Challenge 4: Undead Sharpshooter
- Rank 1: Eliminate 5 undead within 10 seconds using a firearm. Employ Dead-Eye to mark and headshot 5 standard zombies.
- Rank 2: Achieve 10 consecutive undead headshots. Dead-Eye is not permitted for this rank, but switching targeting to Casual can provide automatic headshot assistance. Avoid Retchers, as their explosions count as regular kills and will reset the streak.
- Rank 3: Defeat 5 flaming undead within a single Dead-Eye meter. Locate a group of zombies, hit them with a Fire Bottle, then swiftly switch to a revolver and activate Dead-Eye to eliminate them before the fire does.
- Rank 4: Eliminate one of each undead type within a single Dead-Eye meter. A group of over 10 undead, including all four types, often spawns outside El Presidio. Saving and reloading there can help ensure all types are present. Climb the left tower with the cannon, then use Dead-Eye to eliminate them simultaneously. Undead Bait can also be used to group them if some are against the wall below.
- Rank 5: Achieve 5 undead sniper kills in 8 seconds without using Dead-Eye. The gates of El Presidio are suitable for this. Position outside the gates, facing them. Lure undead to group behind you by running away, then throw Undead Bait behind them for distraction. Use the Rolling Block Rifle to pick them off individually while they are clustered around the bait. Alternatively, melee executions can achieve 5 quick kills, though this is riskier and less consistent with a sniper rifle.
