As we've explained in other Red Dead Online guides, RDR2's multiplayer component features many of the mechanics seen in the its story mode. Some of these mechanics, however, are tweaked to work in an online environment, resulting in changes that may throw off some players expecting to simply play an online version of Red Dead Redemption 2 with little to no changes.
Among the mechanics that have been changed for Red Dead Online are the Treasure Maps mechanics. In Red Dead Redemption 2 Story Mode, players can acquire several different treasure maps, all grouped together in select Treasure Hunts quests, which point to a final location and treasure. In Red Dead Online, things are somewhat different.
In Red Dead Online you can start looking for treasure only after reaching Rank 10, at which point you will receive the Bard's Crossing Treasure Map as a reward. Open the obtained treasure map by accessing your Satchel and then check out the now highlighted area on your main map, which is on the north shore of Flat Iron Lake between the West Elizabeth. Head over there to begin your search.
Once in the yellow-marked area, you can start looking for treasure. It's at this point that you will notice the major differences between treasure hunting in Red Dead Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 story mode. In the single-player mode, the treasure box is always located in the same exact location; in Red Dead Online, it is spawned randomly inside the yellow marked zone.
While the treasure is spawned randomly inside these areas in Red Dead Online, there are ways that make your search easier, as looking around aimlessly is going to take a lot of time and it may not be all that successful. For starters, focus on your controller's vibrations - it will vibrate once you get closer to the treasure locations. Vibrations are very weak when you are far, so make sure to start walking in different directions to find out where the vibrations increase. If they do, you are heading in the right direction.
Once the vibrations become intense, you are very close to the treasure. To pinpoint its precise location, activate Eagle Eye. The treasure can be visually located by following the yellow particles rising from the ground, the same ones that can be seen while in Eagle Eye in the Story Mode, when searching for clues in select Story Missions.
Once you are done with the Bard's Crossing Treasure Map, you can start looking for additional treasure in Red Dead Online. The procedure is the same and, once mastered, it will take you very little time to locate. You just need more treasure maps!
There are two ways to find Treasure Maps in Red Dead Online. The first one is by increasing the player's online Rank: you will receive a new map every 5 Ranks past level 10, so you will get additional maps at Rank 15, Rank 20, Rank 25 and so on.
The second is to clear Gang Hideouts, which spawn in select locations. Sadly, getting a Treasure Map when clearing a Gang Hideout is not guaranteed, so you should rely on other money making methods if you're strapped for cash.
Another treasure map that can be obtained in Red Dead Online is the Gaptooth Breach treasure map. Like the other maps in the game, this is obtained randomly, but you have a higher chance of finding it in the Rattlesnake Hollow Gang Hideout. Like for the other hideouts, you just need to kill all of the enemies and loot their bodies.
The Gaptooth Breach treasure map will highlight a rather large area, and the lockbox with treasure will spawn in several different locations. You will find various lockboxes in the area, but only one will include the treasure. The only way to locate the correct one is to use Eagle Eye: the lockbox with the treasure will glow with light.
