The Veteran is a Stranger Mission Strand (Side Questline) in Red Dead Redemption 2. This Walkthrough shows how to complete the Stranger Missions.
Quest Giver: Hamish Sinclair
Region: O’Creagh’s Run
Requirements: having finished Chapter 5
The Veteran Starting Location
Once you’ve reached Chapter 6, a new Stranger can be found near the lake O’Creagh’s Run. And for once, he isn’t that strange, but a decent feller.
The man by the name of Hamish Sinclair, a veteran is in need of your help, sitting leaned to a boulder. His horse Buell threw him off and ran away, with his prosthetic leg still on it. He would be grateful if we could look for it.
The horse will be located at the lake, just a few hundred meters away. Approach it and calm it several times, until the next set of options is available. Pat Buell, until you can lead him back to Hamish.
Once back in his leg and on the saddle, Hamish invites us to go fishing sometime soon.
Part II
One day after the previous part you can pay Hamish a visit in his Homestead on the north-eastern shore of the lake. He wants to catch a big fish – the Tyrant – together with you.
Row to the marked spot on the lake and equip the correct Lure which Hamish gave you – the Special Lake Lure.
The Tyrant will take a bite on Hamish’s pole and eventually throw him overboard. Row over and pick him up.
Now, where Hamish lost his pole, the Tyrant will surely take a bite on our pole.
This fish is as tiresome to get as the Legendary Fish, if you might have caught some already.
When the fish isn’t pulling, pull down several times and reel in with circling as fast as you can. When the fish is pulling, counter the direction with / and do not reel in.
Eventually, you will pull the big beast on your boat and can head back to the cabin.
Another invitation follows – Hamish wants to go hunting with us soon.
Part III
Another day later, we can return to Hamish’s cabin. After some time, he will spot a large female wolf not too far away which was following him the last days. Mount your horse and head to the last spot you saw it. After investigating a deer carcass, the wolf will appear again, coming out of the woods at the bottom of the hill.
When you lose sight of the wolf, use your Eagle Eye + to make the tracks glow. After navigating through some dense bushes on foot, we will come to a cliff with a wolf. Use Dead Eye to deal with it and keep a lookout for your minimap immediately, as a few more wolves will come from different sides, attacking you. Ultimately, the big female wolf will attack us and throw us to the floor. Mash to break free and use Dead Eye a final time to deal with her.
Part IV
Another day later you can return to Hamish another time. A huge boar appears on his property and he wants to hunt it down with you. Run after it, until Hamish has caught up with the horses. Shooting it is ineffective, as it soaks up bullet like a sponge.
Use Eagle Eye + to see its track. Once back on the horse, Hamish suggests to split up to investigate the two fresh tracks. Arthur heads up the hill and investigates a wolf carcass, when he hears gunshots from close by. Must be Hamish who found the boar – mount your horse and head to the indicated location.
We will see our friend on the ground, dying of wounds from battling the boar. He wants us to take his stubborn horse as his dying wish.
The big boar will appear and we need to make use of Dead Eye a final time to take the big beast down.
Take a Trophy from it, which can be made into a trinket.
Finally, you can take Buell with you, if you like. This even gives you a positive honor boost, as it was Hamish’s last wish.
This concludes the “The Veteran” Stranger Mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). For all other Stranger Missions check out the full Red Dead Redemption 2 Stranger Missions Walkthrough.
mahir says
What if I do not play the last mission as Arthur?? Will I be able to meet him as John??? I just don’t wanna Buell to get lost for good after Arthur’s death. Such a fine horse he is. So, can I do that??? Also, will I be able to get the trophies of the dinosaur bones & geological carvings playing as John????
larry says
i was wondering the same if i can i want too save the whole thing for john because i dont want too lose that beautiful horse hope someone can answer this question
Chris says
Yes. I played the last part as John. We talked about Arthur…!
And yes BTW. You can do all the collectible stuff playing as John.
Have fun, partner.
RN says
I assume you can pick it up from any point as John – In my run I completed part 1 as Arthur and picked up from part 2 as John.
WildChild says
Yes you can. And I even recommend you to do the last mission with Veteran as John. Do the fishing and the 1st hunting as Arthur. And the last one leave for John. The whole cutscene was adopted for John. I was very surprised how it went. Touching in some ways.
And this fine horse makes a lot of sense. Because you really don’t have a decent horse when you starting as John.
Laxus says
You can play the mission as john . I have done it myself
Wasabi says
Mahir, Next time, use a name of chapter. I read your comment with massive spoiler just before the last mission in chapter 6 and it has completely crushed my anticipation and moment of surprise. Do be so kind and warn before disclosing massive spoiler. Thanks
Layla Aziz says
Yes I did the whole thing as John Marston exactly as it is described above. Good luck friend!
Big boi says
Yes
M chappers says
This was a big help thanks! And I worked a way to keep all the cash that Arthur obtained aswell ?
killingPAIN82 says
You can make a trinket from this? From where and do you know what it’s called?
joe says
I got off buell to kill a deer, damm thing disappeared immediately, never saw it again.
Alex says
Me too! I left him next to a tree to follow the wolf man to his cave and when I came back the horse was gone… Is there anyway to find it or get it back?
Layla Aziz says
You had to make it your backup horse, if you know what I mean l. Saddle it than unsaddle it and the horse is yours. It’ll show up on your map
Vice says
Thank you for your excellent guide on when to pull up and what to do while fishing in general! I thought I was hopeless with this quest…and I was until I read your guide! And it’s so cool you can do this mission [redacted]! Are there any other missions they let you [redacted] (story wise like this…not collectibles or whatever)
PowerPyx says
Yes, because you can still do the stranger missions after the story.
Will says
I see the giant boar tusk in my satchel, but when I go to the fence, I do not see any trinkets that can be crafted from it.
Dee says
Dammit, Buell bucked me off and ran away. Couldn’t find him anywhere, no trail to follow or anything. BOO.
Rosie Queen Cat says
I helped him get his horse then left for about a day and a half to help rain falls then I came back and he is not there it has now been three days and I have been waiting at his cabin how can I get him to spawn?
FuckBuell says
I glitched through the map attempting to retrieve the hog trophy.
Beull kicked me in the face and killed me.
I receive nothing.
Joseph says
If you do all the veteran missions with john at the end Buell gets shot and Arthur takes time to console the horse while its dying , all while running from the Pinkertons and Dutch ,very touching.
tom says
lol thats bull
Big boi says
No unless u haven’t beat the game yet
U should know that ur horse dies
Can says
I have 2 saves after doing the my last boy quest and after finishing the game and this quest doesn’t show up on both of them any help?
ThePunisher says
You got the wrong picture for Part 3
dalailama1989 says
You were right; fixed it!
Thank you 🙂
Penny says
I looked this up after I finished the last mission hoping there was a way to save Hamish. I liked the guy and was actually sad when he died.
Graham says
Agreed he was my favourite character in the game I was so irritated with the boar that I shot it almost 100 times.
Graham says
I’m now always making sure Buell is okay like he told me.