Icarus and Friends is the 67th main story mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). This walkthrough will guide you through all objectives of Icarus and Friends Main Quest including all Gold Medals for 100% completion.
Icarus and Friends is unlocked after completing Fleeting Joy.
Quest Giver: Sadie Adler
Chapter: 5 or 6
Region: Lemoyne
Gold Medal Requirements:
- Keep the balloon at the correct altitude for the entire journey
- Get 5 headshots from the balloon
- Complete with at least 70% accuracy
- Complete the mission without taking any health items
Starting Location: Saint Denis, Lemoyne
Talk to Sadie
Head into the bar to meet Sadie, and talk about what has been going on recently. When she leaves, follow her to your horses and mount up. Follow her through Saint Denis as she tells you her plan for busting John out of prison.
- GOLD MEDAL: Complete the mission without taking any health items
Using a hot air balloon, you’re going to do some aerial reconnaissance of the island prison where John is being held. It looks like Sadie won’t be coming with you however, so just you and Mr. Bullard will brave the skies.
- GOLD MEDAL: Keep the balloon at the correct altitude for the entire journey
Look very closely at the Ascend icon in the lower right hand corner.
You’ll notice that as you hold the 
/ 
button, a white circle starts to fill in a clockwise direction. You’ll also see that there’s a green zone on the left side, with a yellow indicator that shows the middle of the zone. That is the desired altitude at which you want to keep the balloon. This may fluctuate as wind direction changes, so keep an eye on the yellow indicator to show when there are adjustments necessary. For best results try keeping your altitude around the middle so that sudden changes won’t affect you. Just hold and release the ascend button as necessary.
When you reach the prison grounds, you’ll have Mr. Bullard take over while you look for John with your binoculars. He will be in the field next to the large red barn working on a chain gang.
When you successfully identify him, the guards will finally notice the giant balloon hovering overhead and begin shooting at you. Ascend back to the green zone and get out of there.
As you fly back to the mainland, Mr. Bullard will spot Annesburg and Sadie being chased by O’Driscolls.
- GOLD MEDAL: Get 5 headshots from the balloon
- GOLD MEDAL: Complete with at least 70% accuracy
Considering the movement of the balloon, the distance, and the target itself being in motion, the use of Dead Eye is strongly recommended. You will need at least five headshots while you’re in the balloon.
It is quite easy to rack up three or four right here if you have a steady hand with a sniper rifle and a full Dead Eye meter. Since you have an accuracy target, take your time lining up your shots before you fire.
As you eliminate O’Driscolls, more will take up the chase, giving you plenty of targets upon which to get headshots. Just keep your accuracy up and you should have no trouble.
As you approach the water tower by the tracks, Mr. Bullard will be shot, leaving you to navigate the balloon by yourself.
Hit the ascend button to keep the balloon’s altitude in the green zone. Watch for changes due to the terrain!
Stay at the right altitude and eventually Sadie will jump to your rope and call for you to pull her up. Follow the prompts in the lower right. Press up on the left stick then hammer 
/ 
to get Sadie up into the basket.
Unfortunately, your success is short lived and you crash on the shore.
The O’Driscolls will follow you across the river, leaving you to pick them off while they’re vulnerable. You no longer need to worry about headshots, but you still have to keep your accuracy high. Use Dead Eye and shoot for center mass to ensure you get a hit as they thrash through the water.
Midway through the battle, Sadie will cry out that more are coming up behind you. Move to the other rock and take care of the second wave. It would be worthwhile to switch to a revolver or a repeater at this point, just to keep your rate of fire high and to maximize your effectiveness during Dead Eye.
More will come through the woods to check the crash. Take care of them as you move up. Sadie will charge without you if you take too long.
When the battle is over, go find Sadie and give her a talking to. Watch the end of mission cinematic, and wait for Sadie’s next mission to rescue John.
This finishes Icarus and Friends main mission in Red Dead Redemption 2. Now the next quest Visiting Hours starts.
Next Up: Visiting Hours
For more Walkthroughs with all gold medals, check out the complete Red Dead Redemption 2 Story Walkthrough.
I know during the chase I hit red with the balloon but still got gold. Thank the lawd!