To win fist fights in RDR2, hold the block button as an opponent attacks, then answer with two or three punches before returning to guard. On PlayStation, punch with Circle and block with Square; on Xbox, punch with B and block with X; on PC, punch with left mouse button and block with Space.
Unequip your weapon first by selecting the fist icon in the weapon wheel. Blocking and counterpunching is more reliable than repeatedly attacking, especially against tougher opponents.
RDR2 melee controls
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punch / break free | Circle | B | Left mouse button / H |
| Block | Square | X | Space |
| Grapple | Triangle | Y | F |
| Focus on opponent | L2 | LT | Right mouse button |
Control prompts can vary with your PC key bindings. If these do not match your setup, check Settings → Controls → Keyboard & Mouse and look under combat actions.
How to block and counterpunch
- Hold the focus control and face the opponent.
- Hold block as the punch arrives. Move left or right while guarding if you need space.
- After the attack is stopped or avoided, release block and throw two or three punches.
- Return to block before the opponent recovers. Use grapple against an opponent who keeps guarding.
Time to Fight!
To begin fistfighting any NPCs, you just need to get close to them and press the punch button without any weapon equipped. If the NPCs rises up to your challenge, you will see both the AI controlled character and Arthur get in a guard stance.
Hand-to-hand combat in Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online is better approached in a reactive, rather than pro-active way: if you just mash the punch button, you will have a hard time winning without getting damaged heavily.
Instead of trying to oppress opponent with your offensive pressure, it’s better to keep the block button pressed to block the opponent’s attacks. Once you have blocked a few, you can get a few hits of your own in without them having the time to block or interrupt your string. Don’t go beyond three punches, however, as the opponent will likely block and counterattack.
If you are having trouble with an opponent that fights on the defensive, you have the option of using the grapple command to break their guard and get some punches in. Don’t abuse it, however, as this action can be blocked if used at the wrong time. Opponents can also try to grapple you, and you must tap the punch button as quickly as possible to get free.
Success is Built on Failure
Like many of the mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online, it takes some time to understand them. Unlike shooting, however, you don’t get much practice in hand-to-hand combat during the course of story missions, so you must engage in fistfights yourself while roaming the map to get some good practice.
As doing this will make you wanted, however, we suggest you avoid doing it as much as possible to prevent your bounty from raising and making your life more difficult in certain regions.
If you want to get some good practice for hand-to-hand combat without having to escape from the law all the time, we suggest you replay the Chapter 2 mission Americans at Rest, which also serves as an introduction to the system as well. You can replay any story mission by accessing the progress menu while pausing the game.
