The Naturalist Role Guide

Rockstar finally released a long-awaited new update for Red Dead Online, after almost seven months of no new content. The Naturalist DLC not only brought with it heaps of new content, but also over 250 bug fixes!

The new role added in the update revolves around observing or hunting various animals, and also brings new exclusive Legendary Animals to Red Dead Online. Once you obtain this role, you will have many new options and a new compendium dedicated solely to cataloging various species.

Becoming a Naturalist

To start, you need to head over to Strawberry. You will notice a yellow magnifying glass on the map, which is the Strawberry Welcome Center. The name of the encounter is “On the Nature of Beasts.”

Once you enter the Welcome Center, you will meet Harriet Davenport and Gus MacMillan in a cutscene, which is an introduction to the Naturalist role. You can become a Naturalist by buying a Sample Kit from Harriet for 25 Gold Bars.

If you have enough gold bars, then you will get an option to buy it mid-cutscene, but if not, then you will be able to meet Harriet in Free Roam and then buy it from her later.

Animal Field Guide

You will also get an Animal Field Guide along with the Sample Kit. These two are essential items for your exploits as a Naturalist. The field guide includes all the new species that have been added to the game with this DLC.

You’ll receive a Legendary Animals Map just like the one you get in Story Mode too. The map will show you the approximate locations of the Legendary Animals.

The Animal Field Guide keeps track of your progress as you complete the challenges in it. The challenges are quite straightforward, but since they are new a little help won’t go amiss. There are a total of 10 categories, which include several different animal species.

The categories included are:

• Farmland Habitats: Research notes on the domesticated animals found on ranches and rural settlements
• Desert Habitats: A study of desert dwelling creatures adapted to survive in extreme conditions
• Wetland Habitats: Information on diverse species found in swamps, long grass and bayous
• Mountain & Grassland Habitats: Research on animals inhabiting grasslands, hilltops and rocky, mountainous regions
• Forest & River Habitats: A study of animals found in densely forested areas and alongside rivers and streams
• Common Critters: Research notes on smaller creatures found in the wild and built-up urban areas
• Legendary Animals – Dark: Studies on a collection of unique animals all known for their dark coats and skins
• Legendary Animals – Light: Notes gathered on rare animals left with pale coloring due to a pigmentation anomaly
• Legendary Animals – Red & Blond: Research gathered on animals renowned for their red or blond coloring
• Legendary Animals – Patterned: Studies of rare creatures with uniquely patterned pelts

Completing each category by stamping or sampling animals rewards in cash by trading in the category. The rewards are as follows:

• Farmland Habitats: $60
• Desert Habitats: $80
• Wetland Habitats: $110
• Mountain & Grassland Habitats: $140
• Forest & River Habitats: $160
• Common Critters: Cannot be sampled or stamped
• Legendary Animals – Dark: $680
• Legendary Animals – Light: $500
• Legendary Animals – Red & Blond: $700
• Legendary Animals – Patterned: $480

Compendium Challenges

The challenges inside the compendium are simple and repetitive, but they are time-consuming.

The challenges include:

• Tracked: This simply means you need to track a certain animal like you normally do
• Killed: Killing a specific animal using whatever method you prefer
• Skinned: You can skin the animal after killing it to register this challenge as completed for that specific animal
• Studied: Studying the animal as usual by spectating them from a distance either using your binoculars or aiming at them
• Sedated: This is a new feature that allows you to sedate animals using a Varmint Rifle. There are separate ammo types for this in the game now
• Sampled: This is also one of the new features added in the game which allows you to sample an animal after you’ve sedated them
• Photographed: You can photograph the animal. It is best to photograph an animal before killing it

Completing each specific challenge such as tracking, killing, or sampling will grant you 50 Naturalist Role XP points.

Harriet Davenport or Gus MacMillan

There are two main characters in the new Naturalist role, both opposing each other and the views they hold regarding the animals. Harriet prefers preserving wildlife while Gus is inclined more towards killing them and making a profit.

The new update adds Harriet Davenport as the main Naturalist role character while Gus is present in the game as a Trapper. You can buy all your role related items directly by visiting Harriet by locating a magnifying glass on the map.

Gus MacMillan offers different garment sets, trinkets, clothing items, equipment, and ammunition, much like a trapper does in Story Mode as well. You can buy the new ammunition from both Harriet and Gus.

If you kill animals, then you will get a notification indicating that Harriet is displeased with your actions. Doing challenges/actions in favor of either one of the characters makes them happy.

Harriet Davenport Shop Items

Harriet offers a wide range of new Naturalist role oriented items that unlock as you progress and level up your Naturalist rank.

Gus MacMillan Trapper Items

Gus has a lot of things similar to the Trapper in Story Mode. You can bring him Legendary Animal pelts or carcasses to get trinkets and exclusive garment sets.

Garment Sets

• • Moonstone Coat

Recipe: 1 x Legendary Moonstone Wolf Pelt
Price: $772.25

• • Marble Coat

Recipe: 1 x Legendary Marble Fox Pelt
Price: $640.00

Clothing

Hats

• • Cornhill Hat

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Badger Carcass
Price: $166.25

• • Seaward Hat

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Beaver Carcass
Price: $139.50

• • Dotson Hat

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Fox Carcass
Price: $172.50

• • Flixton Hat

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Skunk Carcass
Price: $138.00

Bandoliers

• • Farnholme Bandolier

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Deer Carcass
Price: $160.00

• • Farnholme Double Bandolier

Recipe: 2 x Perfect Deer Carcass
Price: $320.00

• • Tanguma Bandolier

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Ram Hide
Price: $174.00

• • Tanguma Double Bandolier

Recipe: 2 x Perfect Ram Hide
Price: $348.00

Coats

• • Maerbay Coat

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Bear Pelt
Price: $315.00

• • Glenwood Coat

Recipe: N/A
Price: 9 Gold Bars

• • Maxwell Jacket

Recipe: N/A
Price: $188.25

Gauntlets

• • Tierny Gauntlets

Recipe: 2 x Perfect Rabbit Pelt
Price: $136.25

Gloves

• • Mountfleet Gloves

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Goat Hide
Price: $105.00

Pants

• • Lawncliff Pants

Recipe: 1 x Perfect Buck Pelt
Price: $152.00

Trinkets

Introduction of Trinkets will make several aspects of the gameplay easier for you, given the benefits they provide.

• • Beaver Tooth Trinket

Recipe:

• • • 2 x Beaver Tooth
    • 1 x Calumet Turquoise Earrings

Price: $795.00
Description: Permanently slows degradation for all weapons by 10%.

• • Buck Antler Trinket

Recipe:

• • • 1 x Buck Antlers
    • 1 x Dane Topaz Necklace

Price: $775.00
Description: Player has a higher chance of receiving better quality pelts and skins from animals in perfect condition.

• • Javelina Tusk Trinket

Recipe:

• • • 1 x Javelina Tusk
    • 1 x Elliston Carved Bracelet

Price: $500.00
Description: Permanently increases the player’s horse bonding rate by 10%.

• • Ram Horn Trinket

Recipe:

• • • 1 x Bighorn Horn
    • 1 x Aubrey Onyx Ring

Price: $550.00
Description: Picking Creeping Thyme, Oregano, and Wild Mint yields 2x more herbs.

• • Snowy Egret Trinket

Recipe:

• • • 3 x Snowy Egret Plume
    • 1 x Braxton Amethyst Necklace

Price: $800.00
Description: Permanently decreases the speed that horse Health and Stamina Cores drain by 10%.

Weapons

• Horned Variant

Price: 12 Gold Bars
Description: A visual variant of the Improved Bow. Can be applied to an owned Improved Bow.

Made-to-order Saddle Bags

• • Bigpaw Saddle Bag

Price: 8 Gold Bars

• • Softcoat Saddle Bag

Price: $205.00

Ammunition

• • Arrows x5

Price: $0.20
Description: A bundle containing 5 arrows.

• • Rifle Cartridges – Varmint x60

Price: $0.40
Description: A box of .22 caliber ammunition designed for hunting without damaging pelts. Contains 60 cartridges.

• • Rifle Cartridges – Nitro Express x4

Price: $0.40
Description: A box of nitro express ammunition specially designed for the Elephant Rifle. Contains 4 cartridges.

Mercy Killing

You now have the option to put animals out of their misery by mercy killing them. Many players asked for it, and Rockstar has delivered it.

Performing a mercy kill on an animal will increase your honor. So, this is a good way for those looking to give a boost to their honor.

Additional New Content

Our guide above was all about the new Naturalist role introduced in the new Red Dead Online update. In this update, there is a lot more new content besides what we’ve showcased above, which includes a new horse, a new camera, a new rifle, and a new bow.

New Horse – Gypsy Cob

Now you can buy Gypsy Cob from the Stables provided you have the Naturalist role acquired already. There are different variations of this horse that unlock as you progress and level up your Naturalist role.

• • White Blagdon

Price: 1 Role Token + $150.00
Naturalist Rank: 1

• • Piebald

Price: 1 Role Token + $150.00
Naturalist Rank: 1

• • Skewbald

Price: 2 Role Tokens + $550.00
Naturalist Rank: 10

• • Palomino Blagdon

Price: 2 Role Tokens + $550.00
Naturalist Rank: 10

• • Splashed Bay

Price: 3 Role Tokens + $950.00
Naturalist Rank: 20

• • Splashed Piebald

Price: 3 Role Tokens + $950.00
Naturalist Rank: 20

Advanced Camera

You can now buy a new type of camera called the Advanced Camera from catalogue by going to the Fishing & Hunting section.

The camera costs $540 and has the following traits that come with it:

• Increased Maneuverability – Move freely while using and take self-portraits
• Straightforward Design – Capture the perfect photograph with ease
• Improved Technology – Master 10 different film treatments

This new camera can be found next to the original camera in the item wheel.

Elephant Rifle

A new rifle called the Elephant Rifle has been a new rifle addition that promises to be deadly towards big animals while hunting. It has a high damage profile and can be bought from either a gunsmith or from your hand-held journal for $580.

Improved Bow

A new bow has been added, which you can buy for $275. It looks sturdier than the standard bow we currently have in the game. This bow is supposed to be an improved version of the existing bow.

New Gun Holsters

There are two more gun holsters included in the game, which not a lot of people are aware of – Thornburn Gun Belt and Thornburn Holster. You can find them at the gunsmith.

• • Thorburn Gun Belt

Price: 1 Role Token + $215.00
Naturalist Rank: 1

• • Thorburn Holster

Price: 2 Role Tokens + $185.00
Naturalist Rank: 10

Legendary Animals Locations

These Legendary Animals can only be found during Free Roam.

Legendary Chalkhorn Ram

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 AM and 9 PM, in clear or foggy weather.

Legendary Cogi Boar

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM in clear weather during day time.

Legendary Emerald Wolf

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 PM and 8 AM, in any weather.

Legendary Gabbro Horn Ram

It has a higher chance of spawning between 5 AM and 5 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Iguga Cougar

It has a higher chance of spawning between 5 PM and 9 PM, in stormy weather.

Legendary Katata Elk

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 AM and 6 PM, in foggy weather. It can also spawn at night time.

Legendary Marble Fox

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM or between 5 PM and 9 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Maza Cougar

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM, in clear weather. You can also find the Maza Cougar outside of the stated hours as long as it is day time.

Legendary Midnight Paw Coyote

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Moon Beaver

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM, in rainy weather.

Legendary Mud Runner Buck

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 AM and 9 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Onyx Wolf

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 PM and 6 AM, in clear weather. It can also be found during the day.

Legendary Ota Fox

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM or between 5 PM and 9 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Ozula Elk

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 PM and 6 AM, in foggy weather.

Legendary Red Streak Coyote

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 AM and 10 PM, in any weather.

Legendary Snow Buck

It has a higher chance of spawning between 5 AM and 10 AM, in clear weather.

Legendary Sun Gator

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM, in foggy weather.

Legendary Tatanka Bison

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 AM and 6 PM, in rainy or drizzly weather.

Legendary Teca Gator

It spawns between 9 PM and 6 AM, only during thunderstorms, Brian or foggy weather.

Legendary Wakpda Boar

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 AM and 9 PM, in rainy weather.

Legendary Winyan Bison

It has a higher chance of spawning between 9 PM and 6 AM, in clear weather.

Legendary Zizi Beaver

It has a higher chance of spawning between 6 AM and 9 AM or between 5 PM and 9 PM, in any weather.

Legendary Ridgeback Spirit Bear

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 AM and 8 PM, in clear weather.

Legendary Oziwa Bear

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 PM and 8 AM, in clear or rainy weather.

Legendary Knight Moose

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 AM and 8 PM, in any kind of weather.

Legendary Snowflake Moose

It has a higher chance of spawning between 8 PM and 8 AM, in rainy weather.

Naturalist Rank Specific Legendary Animals

The following Legendary Animals are unlocked by ranking up your Naturalist Role and they are Sighting Missions that you can start by visiting Harriet. Once you start the Sighting Mission, the location will be marked for you as a waypoint.

• Legendary Payta Bison: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Cross Fox: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Inahme Elk: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Night Beaver: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Sapa Cougar: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Icahi Boar: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Moonstone Wolf: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Rutile Horn Ram: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Banded Gator: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Milk Coyote: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.
• Legendary Shadow Buck: Unlocked after reaching Naturalist Rank 5.