You're riding through the Heartlands, your horse is wheezing, and you've got exactly three cents in your pocket. It's a tough life. Rockstar Games has always been about that "grind," but they’ve also kept a weird, old-school tradition alive that most modern developers have completely abandoned. I’m talking about the cheat code Red Dead fans have been obsessing over since the game launched in 2018.
Cheating in games feels a bit like a lost art. Nowadays, if you want an advantage, most publishers expect you to pull out a credit card for a "time-saver" pack or some premium currency. Not here. Rockstar stuck to their guns, burying phrases in the dirt, on chalkboards, and inside the margins of newspapers that fundamentally break the game’s reality. It's a nostalgic nod to the GTA days, but with a gritty, Western twist that actually makes finding them part of the exploration process.
How to Actually Use a Cheat Code in Red Dead Redemption 2
Before you start typing, there is a massive catch you need to know about. Seriously. If you activate a cheat code Red Dead won't let you save your game anymore. You also won't earn any Trophies or Achievements. It’s basically a "chaos mode" meant for messing around, not for finishing Arthur’s story. If you want to go on a rampage in Saint Denis without losing your precious Honor level, this is how you do it.
To enter these, you’ve gotta pause the game, go to Settings, and then hit Triangle (on PlayStation) or Y (on Xbox). This brings up a text entry box. It isn't case-sensitive, which is a blessing because typing on a controller is a nightmare. Some codes are ready to go the moment you start the game. Others? Those are locked behind "social requirements." Basically, you have to buy specific newspapers from vendors in places like Valentine, Rhodes, or Blackwater as you progress through the chapters. If you don't have the paper in your inventory, the code won't work even if you know the phrase. It’s a clever way to keep players from getting too powerful too early.
The Heavy Hitters: Money, Guns, and Infinite Stamina
Let's get into the stuff people actually want. If you type in Greed is American virtue, you’ll instantly unlock a set of heavy weapons. Think Pump-Action Shotguns and Bolt Action Rifles. It’s the "I’m tired of being hunted by bounty hunters" starter pack.
Want to be rich? Most people do. Entering Virtue unearned is not virtue gives you a massive influx of cash. However, keep in mind that money loses its meaning pretty quickly in the endgame, so this is really for those early-game moments when you can't afford a decent saddle.
Then there’s the stamina issue. Arthur Morgan is a heavy guy. He gets tired. If you use the code The lucky be strong evermore, you get infinite Stamina for both Arthur and his horse. You can sprint from Strawberry to Saint Denis without ever seeing that little lightning bolt icon flash red. It changes the pace of the game entirely. You stop being a simulation-heavy survivalist and start feeling like a superhero in a cowboy hat.
The Weird Logic Behind Rockstar’s Phrases
Rockstar didn’t just pick random words. Every cheat code Red Dead utilizes is a phrase that reflects the themes of the game—usually something about fate, greed, or the death of the Wild West. It’s kind of poetic, honestly. Instead of "UIOPL," you’re typing things like Make me better, which maximizes all your basic bars. Or A fool on command, which makes Arthur instantly drunk.
There is something deeply hilarious about watching a high-fidelity, motion-captured protagonist stumble around a camp while you’ve technically "hacked" the game.
Why Newspapers Are the Key
You’ll find that a lot of the best cheats, like the one for spawning a Circus Wagon (Would you be happier as a clown?), require the "New Hanover Gazette" or "Blackwater Ledger." You can't just find these on the street. You have to wait until certain story beats happen. For example, some codes only become available after you finish Chapter 4.
This creates a weird tension. By the time you can legally "unlock" the cheat through a newspaper, you probably don't need it as much. But for a second or third playthrough? It's gold. It allows you to skip the slow-burn mechanics and just enjoy the sandbox.
Spawning Horses and Rare Vehicles
Horse insurance is expensive. High-tier horses like the Arabian are hard to find and even harder to break. If you’re tired of your Tennessee Walker, use You want more than you have. This spawns a random high-end horse. It’s a gamble. Sometimes you get a beast; sometimes you get something just okay.
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If you want a specific ride, like a Race Horse, the phrase is Run! Run! Run!. Simple. Effective. If you’re feeling fancy and want a horse with a carriage attached, try Keep your dreams simple. Just be careful where you spawn these. If you’re in a tight alleyway in Van Horn, the physics engine might decide to launch your new carriage into the stratosphere. I’ve seen it happen. It’s not pretty, but it is funny.
The Dead Eye Cheat: Becoming a God
The core mechanic of Red Dead is Dead Eye. It’s that slow-motion, orange-tinted shooting mode that makes you feel like Clint Eastwood. Usually, it drains fast. You’re constantly chugging snake oil to keep it up.
If you enter Be greedy only for foresight, you get infinite Dead Eye. At that point, the game isn't a challenge; it’s a movie that you are directing. You can tag twenty enemies in the head before they even draw their revolvers. It’s the ultimate power trip.
The Risks and "Soft Locks"
I have to be the bearer of bad news for a second. Using a cheat code Red Dead can occasionally mess with the game's script. Because you can't save, if your console crashes or the power flickers, everything you did while "cheating" is gone.
I’ve heard stories of players spending four hours clearing out entire towns and customizing Arthur’s look, only to realize they can't save the progress. Treat a cheated session like a "one-night stand" with the game. Enjoy the chaos, but don't expect it to be there in the morning.
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Also, be wary of spawning vehicles in camp. The game’s AI gets very confused when a War Wagon appears in the middle of Dutch’s tent. It can lead to some "soft locks" where characters won't trigger the next piece of dialogue because there’s a literal tank in the way.
Fog of War and World Map Secrets
Exploring the map takes forever. The "Fog of War" covers everywhere you haven't physically stood. If you're looking to find a specific legendary animal or a hidden shack, use You long for sight but see nothing.
This clears the entire map. Every mountain, every stream, every hidden alleyway in the city is revealed. It takes the mystery out of the world, sure, but it’s incredibly helpful for collectors. Just remember: once you see it all, you can't "un-see" it. The sense of discovery is the biggest thing you sacrifice when you start using these phrases.
Summary of Hidden Effects
It’s not just about money and guns. Some codes affect the environment. Want to increase your Wanted level? You want punishment. Want to clear it because you’re tired of the Law? You want freedom.
There’s even a code to increase your "Whackiness" factor by spawning a random wagon or changing the weather. These aren't just tools; they're toys. Rockstar knows that after 100 hours of serious, emotional storytelling, sometimes you just want to see a horse fly or have infinite dynamite.
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Actionable Next Steps for Players
If you're ready to break the game, follow this specific workflow to ensure you don't lose your "real" progress:
- Manual Save First: Before you enter a single letter, create a manual save in a fresh slot. Label it in your head as "The Clean Save."
- Go Offline (Optional): Sometimes, being connected to Rockstar Social Club can be finicky when toggling cheats. It’s usually fine, but if you’re worried about stats, go offline.
- The Paper Trail: Visit the newspaper boy in Valentine and buy every single issue available. Do the same in Saint Denis. This ensures that the "locked" codes will actually trigger when you type them.
- The Text Entry: Go to Settings > Cheats and enter your phrases. You only have to enter them once. After that, they stay in a list that you can toggle On or Off.
- Commit to the Chaos: Since you can't save, go all out. Upgrade your guns, spawn the rarest horses, and see how long you can survive a maximum Wanted level in the middle of the desert.
When you're finished, simply exit to the main menu without saving. When you reload your "Clean Save," Arthur will be right back where he was—poor, tired, but with his Trophies still intact.
Using a cheat code Red Dead is a bridge to a different kind of gameplay. It’s less about the "Old West" and more about the "Wild West." It’s a sandbox mode hidden in plain sight, waiting for you to type the right words and let loose.