Red Dead Online: Call to Arms Guide – Locations, Rewards, and Tips

Call to Arms is a thrilling wave-based survival mode in Red Dead Online that pits you and your allies against 10 increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Whether you’re defending a dusty ranch or a bustling town, surviving to the end requires strategy, grit, and plenty of ammo.

How to Start Call to Arms

Before you can defend the frontier, you need to collect your orders.

1. Collect the Telegram: Head to any Post Office or your Camp Lockbox to collect a message from the mysterious “J.” It will be titled “Call to Arms.”
2. Open Your Satchel: Navigate to Documents > Telegrams > Call to Arms.
3. Choose Your Location: Select from the available maps to begin the matchmaking process.

After your first match, you can find a “Call to Arms” shortcut on the RDO Main Menu for quicker access!

Call to Arms Locations

The fight for survival takes place in several locations across the five states. While some are available year-round, others only appear during special Rockstar events.

Standard Maps (Available Year-Round)

These are the five original maps you can play at any time:

• Blackwater: The fan favorite. Urban rooftops provide excellent sniping positions and safety from melee attackers.
• Valentine: High-intensity street fighting. Great for “run and gun” playstyles, but watch your flanks!
• Strawberry: Narrow streets and verticality. It feels claustrophobic but offers great alleyway bottlenecks.
• Fort Mercer: A classic fortress defense. You have high walls, but beware: the enemies will use the cannons against you!
• MacFarlane’s Ranch: Wide-open territory. This is the hardest map to hide in, making it a true test of your long-range accuracy.

All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween Locations)

During the month of October, the atmosphere turns supernatural. You’ll face “The Devoted”—enemies wearing masks and wielding machetes—under a blood-red moon.

• Armadillo: A ghost town vibe where enemies swarm the streets.
• Butcher Creek: Deep in the woods with low visibility and terrifying atmosphere.
• Shady Belle: Defend the old manor against swamp-dwelling cultists.
• Bolger Glade: Fight among the trenches and ruins of the Civil War battlefield.
• Sisika Penitentiary: One of the most unique maps, taking the fight to the island prison.
• Van Horn & Bronte Mansion: Newer additions to the spooky roster, offering tight mansion corridors and dockside chaos.

A Merry Call to Arms (Christmas Locations)

In December, the maps are covered in snow, decorated with holiday lights, and feature festive (but deadly) “Humbugs.”

• Colter: A brutal fight in a blizzard. Visibility is extremely low, making it one of the hardest maps.
• Adler Ranch: High-altitude survival at Sadie’s old home. Watch for predators like wolves and bears!
• Rhodes: The town is decked out in decorations, but the fighting is just as fierce.
• Emerald Ranch: Fight around the stables and the iconic saloon.
• Hanging Dog Ranch: A massive open ranch with a “reindeer” easter egg for those who can find the hidden targets!
• Saint Denis Manor: Defend the Mayor’s lavish estate against waves of holiday raiders.

Seasonal Locations Easter Eggs

On most holiday maps, there are three hidden targets (like tiny wood-carved birds or ornaments). If your team finds and shoots all three before Wave 10, a special event occurs—such as a ghost rider appearing in Halloween or a firework display and “flying reindeer” during Christmas!

How to Complete Call to Arms

While the concept is a simple wave-based survival, the execution becomes a chaotic test of resource management. To clear Wave 10, you must understand the escalation of the match.

1. The Difficulty Curve

The match begins with the “Preparation Phase.” You have 5 minutes to place 10 AI allies around the map. Do not skip this. Use this time to position them behind cover or on rooftops.

• Waves 1–3: Mostly enemies on foot or horseback with basic revolvers. This is the time to use standard ammo and save your tonics.
• Waves 4–6: Sharpshooters and snipers begin appearing on rooftops. You will hear a heartbeat sound when a sniper is aiming at you—move immediately!
• Waves 7–10: The “Boss” waves. You will face “Bucketheads” (armored enemies with heavy helmets) and War Wagons equipped with Gatling guns.

Tip: In the final wave, don’t stay in one spot. Armored wagons will eventually find your “camping” spot and shred your cover. Keep a Carcano Rifle or Dynamite Arrows ready specifically to take out the wagon drivers the second they enter the map.

2. Healing Your Allies

A critical mechanic often missed is that you can heal your NPC allies. Between waves, or during the action, walk up to an injured ally (marked with a yellow circle) and follow the prompt to heal them.

• Victory Condition: To get the “Defended” ending, you must complete Wave 10 with at least one NPC ally still alive. If they all die, you may still finish the waves, but you will get the “Overrun” (defeat) screen.

3. Managing Your Loadout

Unlike Free Roam, your horse is not with you. You are locked into the two long-arms and sidearms you carried into the match.

• Ammo Crates: These appear around the map and restock at the end of every wave. They only provide Regular Ammo.
• Special Ammo: Save your Express and Explosive rounds specifically for the armored enemies and wagons in Waves 9 and 10.

The Payout: Gold, Cash, and XP

Call to Arms remains one of the best gold farms in Red Dead Online.

• Standard Payout: Completing all 10 waves typically awards 1.0 Gold Bar, roughly $500 RDO, and 2,000+ XP.
• Partial Rewards: Even if you fail at Wave 6, you still keep the Gold and Cash earned up to that point.
• The Cooldown: Once you finish (or fail), there is a 48-minute (one in-game day) cooldown before you can launch another Call to Arms from your Telegrams.

Call to Arms is easily one of the most rewarding and intense modes in Red Dead Online. It tests your aim, your resourcefulness, and your ability to keep your cool under fire.

Remember to keep those Tonics stocked, your Minty Big Game handy, and your eyes on the snipers! Surviving all 10 waves is no small feat, but the Gold and bragging rights are well worth the effort.

Which map is your go-to for a Wave 10 victory, and which one do you find absolutely impossible? Have you discovered a secret camping spot in Blackwater or a foolproof strategy for those armored wagons? Drop a comment below and let us know your best survival tips or your most legendary last-stand stories!