It can be frustrating when you are trying to accomplish something specific. Overall, it's not that bad. There is no penalty for getting blasted by another player (unless you have pelts on your horse). The only thing I find irritating is the "Lock On" aiming. I mean, aim assist is fine since most people are using a controller, as opposed to keyboard and mouse. But locking on? That's chicken sh*t and getting rid of it would fix a lot of these one shot kills by unskilled players. Aim, flick, fire?? Too easy.
The best way I deal with the griefers is to embarrass them - kill them until they parley or leave the area. I had an idiot kill me last night as I was pulling up to the butcher in Valentine. Turned out there were 2 of them. I killed them both over and over while announcing their name over voice chat for all to hear, with every kill . If they rode back at me on their horse, I'd kill the horse too, and make a point to announce that as well (laughing at them the whole time).
After about 10 or 15 minutes of this rather enjoyable play, a posse of 3 rode in and started killing them before I had a chance. It didn't take very long before they had enough embarrassment and left the server. I waved at the posse, thanked them over voice chat, then proceeded about my business.
Later, I was taking out gang hideouts by myself in Tumbleweed and had a griefer ride up and shoot me as I was trying to L2 the gang leader. I saw him riding up on the map, but figured he was just checking things out - maybe wave. Nope! He killed me. No biggie - I had nothing to lose. He was a better PvP player than the other 2 idiots, but I still out killed him at least 3 to 1.
Seems to me that these types get satisfaction from irritating people. Like any bully - when you show them that you are not easy prey, they will look elsewhere. There have been a few times I've been up against great PvP players who are into griefing in groups, I'll just respawn into a new server when that happens. Being solo and taking on multiple players who are really good isn't my idea of a good time. Usually, these better players are in Showdown Matches where they earn gold, exp, and $$ - and not out griefing people for no reward.
If any of you want to posse up and run some missions or do a little hunting, feel free to find me on PS4. User name is upay. Just mention this forum in your request.