Among the new systems introduced in Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are Cores, which reflect the state of Arthur's abilities. These are represented via the circular meters located just above your mini-map on the HUD. If you want to perform at your best, you'll need to pay attention to these Cores and the bars that encircle them.
If you've just started the game, chances are all of this Core and bar talk might be a bit confusing. After all, you're only given a very brief explanation in-game on how it all works, and this comes while you might be paying attention to dialogue or other happenings. And the details in the menu offer only so much insight. To help you get a grasp of the Core system, we've detailed in this feature how it all works and other useful information to keep in mind.
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Now Playing: The Essential Red Dead Redemption 2 Starter Guide
If you're looking for more guides, you'd be remiss not to check out our feature highlighting all the tips you should know before playing. Though, we also have guides on more specific subjects, like gun customization and money making. Be sure to read our Red Dead 2 review if you haven't already. If you're having trouble dealing with all this, you can turn on the cheat code that instantly refills your Cores and bars. But we all know that's no fun, so read on to the details below!
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While the state of your bars are more important in the moment, it's your Cores that ultimately affect your long-term performance. This is because how well you do depends on the state of your corresponding Core. For example, the Health Core dictates how quickly the Health bar regenerates, and likewise for Stamina. If your Health bar is low but the corresponding Health Core has been maintained well, the rate at which you generate Health will be increased.
As you take Tonics, you'll notice that some fortify specific bars; these are represented as yellow items in your satchel. If you take this type of Tonic, the affected bar will fill up completely and won't drain for a few moments. How long a bar remains fortified depends on the quality of the Tonic. It's also worth noting that some Tonics can negatively impact your Cores, so make sure to pay attention to their descriptions before you take them--lest you want to find yourself made weaker during a firefight or intense hunt.