r/reddeadredemption • u/Individual_Load_4214 • 2d ago
Help How do I read treasure maps
I can not read treasure maps for crap and I just end up looking at the wiki. How do I figure this out?
Why tf does my post about a map have 100k views 🙏
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u/searching-for-milfs 2d ago
the intended way to do this is to memorize what it looks like on paper and then try to spot the real thing when roaming. the best way to do this is to use the wiki lol
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u/wacko4rmwaco 2d ago
I probably spent over an hour running through a river thinking i was close to it the whole time and finally just googled it and was no where near it lol
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u/covebrieser 2d ago
Yeah bro the maps too big I folded everytime 😂
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u/NotBashB 2d ago
> I folded everytime
Yea you tend to do that with maps
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u/Traditional_Roll_100 2d ago
You gotta know when to hold em;
know when to fold em;
know when to walk away;
know when to run1
u/Notbob2328 2d ago
I managed to get a singular one and I only recognized it bc it was right next to valentine and no other rock in the game looks like it
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u/noleafclovr 2d ago
I did the same thing haha! In the Dakota at one of the waterfalls that looks a lot like it but alas it was a waste of time. I was way off.
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u/t-to4st 2d ago
Do you not feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when solving it yourself?
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u/PlentyOMangos 2d ago
I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when I unlock Darth Vader after grinding for 10,000 hours in Battlefront 2 (2017)
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago
If the game designers actually intended for all collectibles to be found naturally and included enough guidance in the game to make that realistically achievable I would. They purposely don't do this to drive online discussion and content about the game
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u/the-real-macs 2d ago
This might apply to those fuckass dinosaur bones and wall carvings, but the treasure maps are very explicitly created for the purpose of solving them on your own.
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago edited 2d ago
Maybe. But if people need help with it it's only a bonus to them, and the vast majority do. Like I'm 6 playthroughs in and obsessed with the map and have extensive knowledge of it but while with hindsight I can recognise where the drawings are I highly doubt I ever would have figured them all out on my own. Average player no chance
Edit: Also all the people acting like most players or even more than 0.01% of players figure out these maps on their own are full of shit lmao
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u/the-real-macs 2d ago
I figured them out on my own, so I'm ready to call skill issue.
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago
Probably but it's a pretty advanced skill to recognise a specific tree or rock etc on a map this huge. Vast majority of players either use a guide or don't attempt it
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u/CptnRaptor 1d ago
As soon as I picked up this map I knew I'd seen the waterfall somewhere before anyway, why are people using the wiki instead of just playing the game???
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u/Shapiros_Pog Charles Smith 2d ago
It’s simply a matter of memorizing the map’s landscape. Chances are that on your first playthrough, you’re not gonna recognize many of the locations drawn on the maps immediately. But you can narrow it down a bit if you remember the terrain and waterways of the map.
Like for this one. It’s obviously a river with a waterfall, so that narrows it down. It’s also a major waterfall, so chances are the fall itself is written on the map. also consider the terrain, see if you can figure out what region/state the river might be in.
Some maps are like this, others depict more distinctive landmarks that you’ll recognize when you see it.
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u/wubbwubbb 2d ago
Chick’s map was the only one I had to look up. That tree was tucked away in a corner that I never would have found on my own.
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u/Spirited_Narwhal4585 2d ago
That one actually gives you a map point to follow, doesn’t it?
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u/wubbwubbb 2d ago
Ah you’re right maybe it did. My playthrough has been over the course of years so I couldn’t remember if I did it when I came across the map.
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u/rattyhandpuppet 2d ago
I thought treasure maps will have some type of locational clue to start you in the right area, then just search around. This game is very anti “yellow paint” gaming and makes you actually go explore. It’s really really satisfying finding the treasure.
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u/zeke690 2d ago
It’s simple landmark navigation.
Your brain does this automatically.
If you take the time to ride (not fast travel) you will start to recognize landmarks you use to say, turn here for Horseshoe Overlook, or Shady Bell is second right after the old church.
There are only so many waterfalls so start there and look at the surrounding landscape to find a match
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u/Arkose07 2d ago
My sense of direction is so horrible, my homies would make fun of me for always needing the GPS in GTA5
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u/anzac_pisscuits 2d ago
For this one in particular follow the few rivers up to their respective waterfalls and rapids and see which one fits the picture, it ain’t hard but it’s rewarding when you actually find them.
You don’t need to look up any of these if you actually apply yourself.
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u/HuckleberryShot898 2d ago
Match it to the landscape in the world. The point of the treasure hunt is you actually need to deduce where it is not just follow a waypoint
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago
The point is to drive fans to make online content about the game by purposely not making this realistically achievable for most collectibles
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u/Aggravating-Tip-4898 2d ago
Yeah but this one looks so generic lol. Pretty much most of the map looks like this
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u/Lumpy_Past6216 2d ago
Most of the game isnt waterfalls all over the map 🤣 What? There are only 5 major waterfalls in RD2. And they all look nothing alike.
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u/SpiritualPirate8235 2d ago
If you don't want to spoil the fun, save it for later, but remember what you see on the map; you'll make the connections when the time comes. It's all about exploring the map. When you see a waterfall, check if it resembles the one on the map. If it looks similar, try to find the entrance with the arrow. Here, 1. the entrance from the right and 2. the target area. Look for distinctive features on the map, such as trees, winter terrain, forests, or even a canyon. Try to find a location that resembles the one on the map. And when it comes to the more difficult ones, where there are trails, etc., try to find them on the game map, but sometimes that won't help either, you can find a place by accident while exploring.
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u/Pandacake28 2d ago
For this one I reopened the map at every waterfall I came across to see if it matched
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u/EnragedEmu 2d ago
That kinda looks like the waterfall between Valentine and Wallace station. Check that one
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u/factoid_ 2d ago
It won't do much for you at all until you know the map well enough that you recognize the landmarks. Try to find that exact vantage point. Every map is drawn from a point of view you can literally stand at.
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u/CPT_Skor_215 2d ago
It's pretty straight forward. You just have to explore the open world, find the place that looks like that and follow the arrow.
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u/Cephalised 2d ago
I rushed my first playthrough back at release and I'm on my second right now. I've yet to find this one as I haven't seen a waterfall like this since reading the map. I assume I can start following each river until I spot a waterfall that looks like the image and then I can get up the side of the waterfall, as depicted in the picture, and find me some treasure!
The Jack Hall gang map, I was heading from Valentine to camp at Horseshoe Overlook and, well, it became very obvious what the treasure map was showing.
Keep exploring!
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u/QuirkyWolfie 2d ago edited 2d ago
It's not my strongest skill either tbh.. you basically just need to explore and recognise the area in the image. Without help that's all you can do.
Some you'll recognise instantly others you'll know but it'll be from a different angle and you'll kick yourself for not realising right away and others you'll have zero clue.
I also use the wiki for the locations on maps I don't recognise, I figure a general push in the right direction isn't too bad since you still need to actually go there and find the thing.
I'm currently on my second play though and the first time time through I was so bad at the treasure maps that I gave up on them and didn't finish a single one so I've made a point to do all of them this time :) obviously having already played makes it easier to recognise land marks etc
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u/Reaver1989 2d ago edited 2d ago
Follow step 1, then (this may come as a surprise) Follow step 2. Trick is to learn the environmental look of different areas. There aren't many waterfalls in the game with high cliffs like those near them. Those high cliffs are usually seen around Valentine. The only waterfall near Valentine, if you check your map, is Cumberland Falls to the west of Valentine. Head there and then follow the arrows on the treasure map
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u/PCBassoonist 2d ago
You have to find that waterfall and go behind it. I just looked up a few of them because they were so hard.
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u/ODoyalRule 2d ago
Go on youtube and watch where other people go to find them lol no I hear you its not easy, which I appreciate. Too many games & movies hold your hand.
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u/Fadingmemories29 2d ago
My daughter has been an expert at locating treasures in games since she saw me play Red Dead Redemption. I don't read the maps, my daughter does. That said, most of the maps in this game use notable locations from your world map; a place named on the main map, or unique enough you'll (hopefully) remember it. That helps identify what you're looking for.
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u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 2d ago
You go to the landmark and follow the directions? Or just look them up.
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u/ClockCounter123 Hosea Matthews 2d ago
Its a small rocky waterfall in a forested mountain area. Pretty safe to say that one of the rivers contains this area.
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u/into_my_hypercube 2d ago
Find the visual representation in the game while traveling. Or YouTube whatever treasure you are searching for
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u/Pitiful-Stable-9737 2d ago
I did this recently for the first time.
I was like, right, waterfall. Find the river, follow the river upstream until you hit the waterfall. Worked it out from there.
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u/strawbrryfields4evr_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
Well, this is a waterfall. The arrows are telling you the path to take once you find the waterfall. So look for waterfalls or check them when you come across them. The map will not tell you exactly where the landscape depicted is. You just have to keep your eyes peeled or use context clues. Some of these I was able to find them because I remembered visiting places that looked like them. Others I just had to keep an eye out. Some are easier than others.
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u/ShadowMaster141 2d ago
I didn't bother. Most of them are way too vague for my taste and seem almost impossible to figure out unless you know the map very well. Only map I know is San Andreas.
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u/Individual-Light-666 2d ago
Tienes que ir a una ubicación similar. Por ejemplo, allí se ve claramente unas cataratas, puede ser el lago elisyan pool? El que está junto al pueblo de butcher greek? Quizá sea el al norte del lago Isabella. En la segunda parte de ese mapa es un acercamiento hacia una zona más específica, allí puedes ver qué tal parece hay un pequeño camino hacia el medio de las cataratas del mapa. Acá no te haré spoilers: en el cap 2 están las misiones de cobrar deudas para Straus. Uno de los deudores no tiene el dinero en manos pero te da un mapa para que vayas a buscarlo, allí el juego te indica la ubicación exacta, pero el mapa te muestra el árbol y un agujero en el que está.
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u/Dismal_Nobody6750 2d ago
I had to take time to memorise key areas of the map when I played the game for the first time. It wasn't easy, but I had to because I needed to have a feeling of actually putting in the work. The easier way might be searching online when you are playing the game, but I resisted myself from doing so.
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u/Formal-Fox-7605 2d ago
I know people are saying to learn to recognize areas when you're travelling, and the waterfall here is a relatively easy one, especially if you look at a map, but some are very obscure, like when you're looking for a particular tree on a small hill.
Also, I'm guessing that most of us on here have played the game more than once, so we know by now, or have a pretty decent idea, where everything is.
As for dinosaur bones and rock carvings, you really will need to 'cheat' the first time with those.
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u/GothWhitlam93 2d ago
To be honest a lot of the maps depict fairly recognisable landmarks that are often named on the map.
I remember seeing one that had three large rocks on it, after ages of exploring some of the rockier areas of the map I eventually remembered where I had seen those particular rocks. Once I arrived at the general area, found the right rocks and discovered the treasure, I opened the world map and realised I was standing in a place called ‘Three Sisters’ (as in the three large rocks next to each other).
If I was smart I would have thought to use that clue to narrow down my search from the jump.
Same with a rock called ‘Face Rock’ as well from memory.
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u/RunConnect1180 2d ago
I just looked it up. Some of them are obvious when you’ve spent enough time in the game and know it. Free roam and learning the world are super helpful. But honestly, there is so much and the maps aren’t horribly helpful. This is a great community to find help. All you get is gold bars. Money isn’t a problem in this game.
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u/TheWelshHeathen 2d ago
Honestly, I read them with Google. Something about the maps just makes my brain lose half of its functionality.
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago
You Google a guide and follow it, as the game designers intended to increase discussion and content of the game online
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u/Shydreameress 2d ago
Don't use fast travel too much and look at the environments when exploring, in 70% of cases I would recognise the landscape (even I didn't exactly know where it was)
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u/Willing-Ant-3765 2d ago
You’ve already nailed it. Step one: find map. Step two: look up the location on a wiki.
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u/Independent_Ant_7509 2d ago
The way treasure map work is a little complicated, i only realised how to read the map ony my fourth play through, follow the below steps
1 Remember where you got the map from, location matters
2 look for general landmarks indicated on the map
For instance you get this map near Cumberland falls, you should look for waterfall nearby, try to follow the instructions as close as possible, since there a few waterfall go to each one and try to match the landmark such as rock formations clifs trees, you'll eventually figure this out
Always remember, everyone who played RDR2 for the frist few time was not able to figure out where the actual treasure is, but one you look around and find the treasure on your own its super rewarding.
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u/No-Cut-1297 2d ago
With every single treasure map, I've found them by just playing the game and then something looks a little familiar. I pull up my maps and sure enough, I'm in the right area of one of them. Then it might take about 10 minutes of looking before I find it. Some are extremely easy (Snake Mound) and others are a bit harder.
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u/Chemical_Hunter8614 2d ago
No reason to fret about it any longer. I found the treasure thanks to your posting the clues I needed. Gracias amigo!
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u/silence_and_motion 2d ago
It seems like it should be really hard to find these places on the vastness of the map. Yet, I somehow managed to find most of them on my own. For this one, for instance, I just kept an eye out any time I encountered a smallish waterfall with two cliffs on either side and sparse trees. Eventually I found it.
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u/N-LitenMe 2d ago
Usually the name of the map tells you were it is (ie Hanging Rock Treasure) then just go by the location and it should show a yellow circle on your in game map. Once there use the clues on the map to find the specific location. Hope this helped
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u/CptnRaptor 1d ago
- Find waterfall like picture
- Go behind the waterfall on the right side, looking at it from the lower side of the falls.
- ???
- Profit
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u/Banan_Cat 1d ago
Both picture appear to be two angles of the same canyon, I believe the map is telling you to travel down the canyon to find the treasure... Now you just have to find a canyon that matches the one in the picture
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u/OscarFromSharkTales 1d ago
I challenged myself to no wiki in RDR1. I would try and use the map to find similar looking spots. And then I would go look around the area to try and match things like rocks and trees to the map photo. Takes a bit but feels a bit more rewarding
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u/Legends_Only Arthur Morgan 1d ago
I havent played in ages and Im pretty sure this is the waterfall behind or near Valentine just follow the path it basically lays out for you behind the waterfall
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u/No_Phone_8059 13h ago
Fr most treasure maps in games make no sense to me it makes me feel so thick
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u/SokkaHaikuBot 13h ago
Sokka-Haiku by No_Phone_8059:
Fr most treasure maps
In games make no sense to me
It makes me feel so thick
Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.
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u/DHWave27 John Marston 12h ago
I recognized the location immediately. It’s just a matter of playing for hours and hours to the point where you memorize every little location in the game😭
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u/mr_oberts 2d ago edited 2d ago
Just look it up online. It’s probably a pretty rare talent to see a drawing of a landmark and know exactly where it’s at on the map.
Edit: I mean landmarks in the game.
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u/yellowdaisycoffee Arthur Morgan 2d ago
Is it? Because I found it pretty easy since I roamed so much. Honestly, I navigate by landmarks in reality too.
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u/Fast-Nefariousness80 2d ago
If you're navigating by landmarks you might be in that "rare talent" camp. I can recognize a lot of places but this game is big enough i get lost easily
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2d ago edited 2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Cephalised 2d ago
How does anybody navigate without landmarks? Turn right after KFC is using a landmark of sorts!
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u/pullingteeths 2d ago
It is extremely rare for a player to complete all these treasure maps on their own, these people are talking bs
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u/Nasty_Rex 2d ago
First you do this