Hardcore Mode in Red Dead Redemption

Last Updated: December 1, 2025

Question: What is Hardcore mode in Red Dead Redemption?

Answer: Hardcore Mode increases both the difficulty and realism of Red Dead Redemption. The exact changes in difficulty are listed below:

Hardcore Mode changes

• Aiming is permanently set to Expert

• Maximum health is reduced by half

• Health regenerates more slowly and begins refilling after a longer delay

• Deadeye does not automatically fill over time; it must be earned by killing enemies or using items

• Horses do not regenerate

  • If killed, you must buy, steal, mount, or break another horse and then hitch it to a post to earn the right to call it by whistling

• Horse deeds are twice as expensive

• Store items cost more

• Item sale values are lowered

• Reward/drops/looting amounts are lowered, including ammunition and money

• Pardon letters are rarer

• Fame and Honor gains are reduced

• Mini-game buy-ins are lowered to match the scarcity of money

• The War Horse deed must be purchased for $10,000 (available in any General Store)

• Deadly Assassin outfit increases the amount of Deadeye gained from kills, rather than over-time regeneration

Note: Hardcore Mode is only available in the normal Red Dead Redemption campaign. Undead Nightmare is unaffected.