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[Warning: The following story contains major spoilers for Red Dead Redemption 2.]

Regardless of how Red Dead Redemption 2 is played, Arthur Morgan always contracts tuberculosis and passes away by the end of the game. While this reveal does come later in the story, there is a specific scene that makes it clear exactly when Arthur catches this, but it may not be apparent during someone's first playthrough of the game.

Tuberculosis (commonly called TB) is an infection caused by bacteria that often targets the lungs or any other area in the body with a lot of blood and oxygen flowing through it. Like many common pathogens, TB bacteria are airborne, and can be transmitted when an infected person coughs or speaks.

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Rockstar's acclaimed Red Dead series spans several decades in the Wild West with numerous protagonists across its three main Western titles.

Although there is treatment now for TB, there...

Arthur contracts TB early, affecting the narrative. Avoiding contracting TB opens up other gameplay options. Mods allow players to save Arthur in the epilogue.

Arthur Morgan contracts tuberculosis fairly early in Red Dead Redemption 2, but much can still be done before his fateful encounter with Thomas Downes. Throughout the game, Arthur's TB progresses slowly, but eventually begins to have a significant narrative impact. However, the mission where Arthur contracts the deadly disease has a very specific trigger, meaning that avoiding it can open up other avenues. While this would effectively stop the story and lock out a large portion of the game, it is a viable option for those wishing for Arthur Morgan to live on without succumbing to his seemingly inevitable fate.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Red Dead Redemption 2.]

As Arthur's fateful incident occurs at Horseshoe Overlook, it doesn't take very long for this crucial juncture to arrive. But Red Dead Redemption 2 isn't a completely linear experience,...

[Warning: This article contains major spoilers for RDR2.]

There's no cure for Arthur in RDR2; his tuberculosis is terminal. It's believed that Arthur contracts tuberculosis from Thomas Downes early in RDR2. One way to keep Arthur alive is to halt game progress, refusing to play the mission where Arthur dies.

Arthur's death in Red Dead Redemption 2 shouldn't come as much of a surprise, even before players learn he contracted active tuberculosis. The character isn't mentioned at all in the first Red Dead Redemption, so it makes sense the prequel-sequel would follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, and finish the story with the protagonist's tragic, untimely death. And indeed, death comes for Arthur Morgan before RDR2 is through.

There are actually two ways Arthur can die, depending on a variety of player choices. In a good Honor playthrough of RDR2, he dies of tuberculosis, a rapidly worsening illness that plagues him throughout the game. In a bad Honor playthrough,...