Don’t know which ability card to use? Here we are to get you going.

Ability cards are often overlooked by the outlaws in the Wild West. This is a real bummer because these cards can often define your character in Red Dead Online. You can even make card combos that suit your playstyle and boost your strength.

Many of them have some drawbacks to balance them out a bit. However, each has its own perks. Some only work on horseback, some are for dual-wielding, and some just make you a beast in the Wild West. This is not a ranked list as the cards alone don’t change things a lot but different combos can change everything

#10 Horseman

Horseman ability card

You deal a little more damage while on horseback. This one is for the horse-lover loners. I, personally, love to ride and shoot like a madman. If you’re like me, you’ll love to have this card with you. You can add other mount-focused cards to get a better experience.

Why it’s great:

• More damage always sounds good.
• You’d look cool.

#9 Strength in Numbers

Strength in Numbers ability card

When this is equipped, you take less damage for every nearby ally, up to a maximum of three allies. If you’re like me and like to hang out with your friends in-game, this one is for you. Many a penny makes a pound.

Why it’s great:

• You take less damage.
• So do your posse members.

#8 Focus Fire

Focus Fire ability card

While Dead Eye is active you and your team members deal more damage. If more than one member of your team has this ability active, the effects do not stack. This one is also for posse players. It is absolutely fun to participate in PvE events with a posse.

Why it’s great:

• It helps the whole posse.
• More damage, obviously.

#7 Fool Me Once

Fool Me Once ability card

With this card, you take less damage each consecutive time you are shot. This effect ends if you are not shot for 10 seconds. So, when a swarm of NPCs just spawn, they’ll have a hard time killing you.

Why it’s great:

• Less damage is always great.
• You’ll survive longer.

#6 Slow and Steady

Slow and Steady ability card

While Dead Eye is active you take less damage and headshots do not kill you outright. However, you cannot run or sprint. You can combine it with several cards and each combo will get you a different perspective.

Why it’s great:

• NPCs can’t one-shot you.
• You take less damage when Dead Eye is active.

#5 Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter ability card

This one’s for the experienced snipers in the game. While using a scope, you deal more damage and take less damage while this card is active. So, even at mid-range, you can avoid extensive damage.

Why it’s great:

• The game appreciates your shooting abilities a little.
• More damage dealt.
• Less damage endured.

#4 Strange Medicine

Strange Medicine ability card

You regain a little health whenever you inflict damage. Your health will otherwise regenerate at half the normal rate. NPCs often come at you like a swarm of insects. This card will help you regain health when taking damage is unavoidable.

Why it’s great:

• You regain a little health each time you’re shot.
• You will last longer.
• Pair it with other regenerating cards to become a survivalist.

#3 Gunslinger’s Choice

Gunslinger's Choice ability card

Gunslinger’s Choice offsets the only disadvantage dual-wielding has: poor accuracy. It increases both your accuracy and damage when dual wielding, so it is absolutely essential for players who like to run and gun. Now, instead of missing all your shots if an enemy is more than a few feet away, you’ll be able to blast them with pinpoint accuracy and extreme damage.

Why it’s great:

• Makes your dual-wielding experience better.
• Makes it easier, too.
• You’re more accurate than normal when dual-wielding.

#2 Never Without One

Never Without One ability card

Never Without One is basically a second chance at life. If you’re wearing a hat and you get shot in the head, the hat will sponge the damage for you, saving your life and falling off in the process.

The downside to this ability is that you’ll also take more damage when not wearing a hat, but that’s better than being dead. So, just make sure you’re always looking sharp and you should be able to benefit from this greatly. For other pro tips, check out this list.

Why it’s great:

• You won’t die if you’re shot in the head.
• It makes you look good if you’re into it.

#1 Paint It Black

Paint it Black ability card

While Dead Eye is active you can paint targets onto enemies. Fire your weapon to shoot all marked targets. Each shot drains Dead Eye. Paint it Black has a very bad reputation in PvP settings but you’re fighting NPCs so nobody really cares. Because it reduces the bloom of weapons, this is a very good option in general.

This is an absolutely essential ability as it pretty much guarantees a hit. The only thing that will stop your heat-seeking bullets is if the enemy manages to hide behind some cover before you can get your shot off.

Why it’s great:

• You can basically one-shot people with zero aiming skills :3
• If you pair it with Live for the Fight you’re basically an NPC with absolutely accurate aim.
• This is aimbot without cheating.

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• [Top 10] Best Ability Cards in Red Dead Online