The Van der Linde camp is practically Arthur’s home away from home in Red Dead Redemption 2. The camp acts as the primary base of operations, where Arthur and the gang can unwind and pass the time with various activities, like playing cards. Each part of the camp can be upgraded to improve what it has to offer, and doing so can provide benefits for Arthur while he’s away from camp. Below, we’ve wrangled up all the camp upgrades in Red Dead Redemption 2 so that you can decide what to put your money towards first.
How Camp Upgrades Work
Camp upgrades are done via Dutch’s quarters. Here, you will find a Ledger that tallies all of the camp contributions and the cost of each available camp upgrade. Upgrades are usually purchased using the camp’s savings. Arthur can also front the money himself to purchase an upgrade if the camp funds come up short. Money can be hard to come by if you don’t know how to make money fast, so try to unlock the most valuable upgrades first.
Arthur’s Wagon (Ammo Upgrades)
This is Arthur’s post at the camp. You provide the munitions stores for the camp, so
this is where you (and presumably the rest of the gang) come to stock up on bullets. You can freely grab ammunition that you see lying around, so don’t forget to grab some before heading out on a mission. Upgrading your wagon will unlock access to different types of weapon ammunition.
Start Simple
- Cost: Free (Default)
- Benefit: Revolver and Pistol ammo
Improve Our Offense
- Cost: $60
- Benefit: Repeater ammo and Arrows
Some Real Firepower
- Cost: $90
- Benefit: Throwing Knives, Shotgun and Rifle ammo
Let’s Have Some Fun
- Cost: $100
- Benefit: Fire Bottles and High Velocity Repeater ammo
Pearson’s Wagon (Food Upgrades)
Pearson’s Wagon supplies the camp with food to eat. Your ability to manage your weight and hunger in Red Dead Redemption 2 can have a significant impact on your performance in and out of combat. Upgrading Pearson’s Wagon will grant access to better foods that are more nutritious and beneficial to you and your horse.
Essentials
- Cost: Free (Default)
- Benefits: The basics, bread and biscuits
Less Bland
- Cost: $30
- Benefits: Fresh fruit and basic canned goods
Some Real Variety
- Cost: $45
- Benefit: Chewing Tobacco and premium canned goods
Treat Ourselves
- Cost: $55
- Benefit: Cocaine Chewing Gum and assorted sweets
Strauss’s Wagon (Medical Upgrades)
Strauss’s Wagon acts as the medical unit for the camp. Non-food items pertaining to your stamina, health, and Dead Eye skill can be obtained at this wagon. Enhancing Strauss’s Wagon will unlock access to new potions and tonics.
Basic
- Cost: Free (Default)
- Benefit: Cures and bitters
Sharpen the Senses
- Cost: $30
- Benefit: Snake Oil and potent bitters
Something with Kick
- Cost: $50
- Benefit: Tonics and premium liquor
The Good Stuff
- Cost: $75
- Benefit: Potent health cures and tonics
Lodging (Camp-wide Upgrades)
Everyone has their own quarters at the camp, and upgrading each not only adds new aesthetic features to the camp, but doing so also improves the shelter overall. You need to upgrade Dutch’s quarters first, and then Arthur’s, before you can improve the rest of the lodgings in the camp.
Bare Bone Shelter
- Cost: Free (Default)
- Benefit: Basic canvas. Old fur for warmth.
First Things First
- Cost: $220
- Benefit: Dutch wants something comfier.
Next in Line
- Cost: $325
- Benefit: Arthur wants a map to help plan journeys. (Fast Travel)
For Everyone
- Cost: $300
- Benefit: Improve the rest of the tents in camp.
Other Camp Features
Beyond the lodging upgrades, there are several other upgrades you can do that will provide new camp features that benefit everyone. Think of these as quality of life improvements for the camp, albeit expensive ones. The benefits are worth it though, assuming you don’t gamble away all your hard-earned cash.
Chicken Coop
- Cost: $175
- Benefit: Some local farms are selling off old coops. (Make better stew)
Leather Working Tools
- Cost: $225
- Benefit: If we get Pearson better tools he can make extra gear.
Horse Station
- Cost: $300
- Benefit: It would be great to have more room to hitch. (Retrieve owned horses)
Camp Boat
- Cost: $450
- Benefit: Met a traveler selling an old boat. Useful? (Adds a boat to camp)
Before dropping money on any of these upgrades, try to think about which upgrades will benefit you and the rest of the gang the most. We suggest unlocking the fast travel upgrade at Dutch’s quarters so that you don’t have to fuss with train tickets when you want to travel far distances. Visit our Red Dead Redemption 2 guide to learn more ways to live your outlaw life to the fullest.
