Crafting is a core mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2 that lets you create tonics, items, and ammunition. This guide covers every recipe, where to find the ingredients, and which tonics are the best for different activities.
How Crafting Works
To craft an item:
- Open the crafting menu
- Select the recipe
- Ensure you have the ingredients
- Confirm the craft
Some recipes require specific ingredients that can only be found in certain locations.
Health Tonics
Basic Health Tonic
Recipe: 1x Yarrow, 1x Sage. Effect: Restores 50% health.
Ingredients: - Yarrow: Common in fields and meadows. - Sage: Common in forests and grasslands.
Potent Health Tonic
Recipe: 2x Yarrow, 2x Sage, 1x Violet Snowdrop. Effect: Restores 75% health.
Ingredients: - Violet Snowdrop: Rare, found in the Grizzlies region.
Health Cure
Recipe: 1x Ginseng, 1x Yarrow. Effect: Cures all ailments.
Ingredients: - Ginseng: Found in forests.
Stamina Tonics
Basic Stamina Tonic
Recipe: 1x Sage, 1x Violet Snowdrop. Effect: Restores 50% stamina.
Ingredients: - Violet Snowdrop: Found in cold regions.
Potent Stamina Tonic
Recipe: 2x Sage, 2x Violet Snowdrop, 1x Wild Carrot. Effect: Restores 75% stamina.
Ingredients: - Wild Carrot: Found in fields.
Special Stamina Tonic
Recipe: 1x Sage, 1x Wild Carrot. Effect: Doubles stamina regen for 2 minutes.
Ingredients: - Wild Carrot: Found in fields.
Dead Eye Tonics
Basic Dead Eye Tonic
Recipe: 1x Sage, 1x Carrot. Effect: Restores 50% Dead Eye.
Ingredients: - Carrot: Found in fields and gardens.
Potent Dead Eye Tonic
Recipe: 2x Sage, 2x Carrot, 1x Indian Tobacco. Effect: Restores 100% Dead Eye.
Ingredients: - Indian Tobacco: Found in swamps.
Special Dead Eye Tonic
Recipe: 1x Carrot, 1x Indian Tobacco. Effect: Doubles Dead Eye regen for 3 minutes.
Ingredients: - Indian Tobacco: Found in swamps.
Special Tonics
Snake Oil
Recipe: 1x Carrot, 1x Sage. Effect: Doubles Dead Eye meter for 30 seconds.
Ingredients: - Carrot: Found in fields.
Bitters
Recipe: 1x Yarrow, 1x Carrot. Effect: Restores stamina and Dead Eye.
Ingredients: - Yarrow: Found in fields. - Carrot: Found in fields.
Gun Oil
Recipe: 1x Animal Fat. Effect: Cleans and maintains weapons.
Ingredients: - Animal Fat: Dropped by hunted animals.
Ammunition Crafting
Explosive Bullet
Recipe: 1x Gunpowder, 1x Animal Fat. Effect: Explosive damage.
Ingredients: - Gunpowder: Found in stores and chests. - Animal Fat: Dropped by animals.
Incendiary Bullet
Recipe: 1x Gunpowder, 1x Animal Fat, 1x Sulfur. Effect: Fire damage.
Ingredients: - Sulfur: Found in caves and mining areas.
Split Point Bullet
Recipe: 1x Mercury, 1x Animal Fat. Effect: Increased damage but reduced accuracy.
Ingredients: - Mercury: Found in caves.
Poison Bullet
Recipe: 1x Oleander Sage, 1x Animal Fat. Effect: Poison damage.
Ingredients: - Oleander Sage: Found in the Bayou NWA region.
Bait and Lures
Carnivore Bait
Recipe: 1x Raw Meat. Effect: Attracts predators.
Ingredients: - Raw Meat: Dropped by hunted animals.
Herbivore Bait
Recipe: 1x Berries. Effect: Attracts herbivores.
Ingredients: - Berries: Found in forests.
Special Lake Lure
Recipe: 1x Crayfish, 1x Lure. Effect: Catches legendary lake fish.
Ingredients: - Crayfish: Found in lakes.
Special River Lure
Recipe: 1x Crayfish, 1x Lure. Effect: Catches legendary river fish.
Ingredients: - Crayfish: Found in rivers.
Best Tonics for Different Activities
Combat
- Snake Oil: doubles Dead Eye
- Potent Health Tonic: restores health
- Bitters: restores everything
Hunting
- Special Stamina Tonic: stamina for tracking
- Gun Oil: maintain weapons
- Special Lake/River Lure: catch legendary fish
Survival
- Health Cure: cures ailments
- Potent Stamina Tonic: stamina for travel
- Potent Dead Eye Tonic: Dead Eye for self-defense
Cooking Recipes
Big Game
Recipe: 1x Prime Beef, 1x Seasoning. Effect: Restores health and Dead Eye.
Ingredients: - Prime Beef: Hunted from cattle. - Seasoning: Found in general stores.
Plain Game
Recipe: 1x Game Meat. Effect: Restores stamina.
Ingredients: - Game Meat: Dropped by hunted game.
Herbal Tea
Recipe: 1x Yarrow. Effect: Restores Dead Eye.
Ingredients: - Yarrow: Found in fields.
FAQ: Crafting
Q: Can I craft in co-op?
A: No. Crafting is solo-only.
Q: Are there legendary crafting recipes?
A: Yes. Some legendary recipes are unlocked through missions.
Q: Can I sell crafted items?
A: Yes, but for less than the value of the ingredients.
Q: Are there rare ingredients?
A: Yes. Some ingredients only spawn in specific conditions.
Q: Can I unlock more crafting slots?
A: Yes. The crafting slots expand as you progress through the story.
With this guide, you will be able to craft every tonic and item. Find the ingredients, mix the recipes, and always keep your favorite tonics stocked.
Cooking and Eating
Beyond tonics, you can cook meals in the game. Meals provide temporary stat boosts:
Best Meals
Big Game
Ingredients: Prime Beef, Seasoning. Effect: Restores health and Dead Eye.
Plain Game
Ingredients: Game Meat. Effect: Restores stamina.
Stew
Ingredients: Meat, Vegetables. Effect: Restores health.
Succulent Fish
Ingredients: Fish, Seasoning. Effect: Restores stamina and Dead Eye.
Herb Tea
Ingredients: Yarrow. Effect: Restores Dead Eye.
Cooking Locations
You can cook at:
- Your camp
- Any campfire
- Special cooking stations in towns
Cooking Tips
- Use fresh ingredients. Old ingredients have less effect.
- Use the right recipe. Wrong recipes produce weaker meals.
- Cook in batches. Cooking multiple meals at once saves time.
Best Tonics for Specific Activities
For Hunting
- Snake Oil: doubles Dead Eye for tracking
- Potent Health Tonic: heals wounds from animal attacks
- Bitters: restores everything
For Combat
- Potent Health Tonic: heals during firefights
- Special Dead Eye Tonic: doubles Dead Eye regen
- Gun Oil: maintains weapon accuracy
For Survival
- Health Cure: cures all ailments
- Special Stamina Tonic: stamina for long journeys
- Snake Oil: Dead Eye for self-defense
For Horsemanship
- Special Stamina Tonic: stamina for galloping
- Potent Stamina Tonic: stamina for long rides
- Bitters: restores stamina and Dead Eye
Crafting Strategy
Always Stock Up
Always have these in your inventory:
- 10 Potent Health Tonics
- 10 Potent Stamina Tonics
- 10 Potent Dead Eye Tonics
- 5 Snake Oils
Craft in Bulk
Craft tonics in batches of 5 or more. This saves time and ensures you always have supplies.
Use the Right Ingredients
Use the right ingredients for the right tonic. Wrong ingredients produce weaker tonics.
Sell Excess Tonics
Sell excess tonics to general stores for a small profit. Don't hoard them.
Advanced Crafting Recipes
Legendary Recipes
There are 3 legendary crafting recipes unlocked through specific missions:
Poison Arrows
Recipe: Arrow, Oleander Sage. Effect: Poison damage on hit.
Dynamite Arrows
Recipe: Arrow, Gunpowder, Sulfur. Effect: Explosive damage on hit.
Fire Arrows
Recipe: Arrow, Sulfur, Animal Fat. Effect: Fire damage on hit.
These recipes are unlocked by completing specific missions and are the best ammunition in the game.
FAQ: Crafting Extended
Q: Can I craft while mounted?
A: No. Crafting requires you to be on foot.
Q: What's the rarest ingredient?
A: Oleander Sage. It only grows in the Bayou NWA region.
Q: Can I buy crafting ingredients?
A: Yes. General stores sell common ingredients.
Q: Are there legendary tonics?
A: No. Tonics are the same throughout the game.
Q: Can I sell tonics to other players?
A: No. Tonics are solo-only.
With these crafting recipes and tips, you will always have the supplies you need. Craft the right tonics, cook the best meals, and always stay stocked.