Spare the Rod, Spoil the Bandit

☸ GOLD MEDAL ☸ Fastest Time: 6:50 Shot Accuracy: 60% Headshots: 15

Assist Marshal Johnson with some murderous bandits terrorizing the countryside. It turns out their leader is an old friend.

Rewards: Winchester Repeater, +$50, +300 Fame, +200 Honor

A bloody job

Upon his arrival at the Armadillo jailhouse, John finds the marshals getting their guns. Marshal Johnson asks Marston to make himself useful and be another gun. There's a group of bandits getting drunk and savagely murdering people near Ridgewood. John decides to join the marshal's posse as Eli gains some confidence for the fight ahead.

Trail of destruction

Follow the marshal out of town and down a trail. A discussion about Nigel West Dickens and science will ensue. Not too far down the trail Eli will point out vultures circling in the distance. You and Eli are tasked with investigating. A cutscene will trigger when you get to a bloody campsite.

After determining that there are no survivors, John will pick up a Winchester Repeater. Mount up and continue to follow the marshals. Johnson will comment that only a pack of cowards would do such a thing. More vultures will be spotted by Jonah farther down the trail. You may run past a strange yet familiar girl lying next to a rock. Another investigation will find more dead bodies around a fresh fire. As you ride out the marshal will say they are probably headed to Ridgewood Farm.

Bought the farm

The farm is only a few seconds away from the campsite. Upon arrival at the desolate farm, you will be tasked with searching the shed and outhouse. Walk up the steps of the shed to clear it then run over to the outhouse where John will kick the door in and find no one. Join the marshals at the barn. Since there's no good reason for it to be boarded up, Marshal Johnson will tell you to shoot it open while the marshals take aim. When all four are broken, a cutscene will show some guy hanging around with dead bodies scattered about and a lone survivor. She'll tell you the bandits are held up in the farmhouse with hostages.

Run to the farmhouse as a couple bandits realize you're there and begin firing. One is on the top-right balcony and 7 more will come out of the house as their comrades are killed. There will be four enemies hiding inside. When you enter, one will run to the doorway off to the left. Kill him as he peeks out. Another will be in the back room. When you enter the room he'll run at you. The last two are upstairs. Run up and take out the enemy in the first room. He'll be standing in front of a hostage. Kill him and move to the last one behind a closed door. If you're slow the marshal will join you.

When you open the door you will be faced with a bandit holding a hostage in front of him as he shoots at you. Enter Dead-Eye and blow his head to pieces. Go back downstairs as the marshal will say the house is clear. Next is to check on the freed hostages who are out at the shed. Meet the marshal there. A cutscene will show an upset (and beat up) woman chewing out the marshal. She'll at least tell you some bandits went South, chasing other innocent folks like dogs. After attempting to appease the woman by setting a $50 reward for the gang leader, he orders you to move out.

Him again

Mount your horse and follow the marshals out of the farm. Eli wonders if they're headed to Fort Mercer. This makes John think it was Williamson's men to which the marshal says it seems like their handy work. The deputies will question Marston's past again until you all reach a ridge with some people on top. A cutscene will show an exchange between Bill Williamson and John which ends with Bill sending his men down to take care of you. Your posse takes cover in an old destroyed shack.

Once in control, stay in cover or move up to the fence (you are not allowed to travel much farther from the shack). A wave of six enemies will come down the hill on horseback. When they get close they will take cover behind various things in front of you. Take them all out. The sooner the better so use Dead-Eye bursts for long shots while they approach on horseback. When one enemy is left another wave of six will come down the hill. Kill them all. The last guy will give up and run away if not shot first.

The final cutscene will show Jonah riding one of the bandits, Norman Deek, who will be doing some jail time and help get Bill. The marshal will thank you for the assistance.

Gold Tips

• Have full (or close to) Dead-Eye before starting this mission (replays have it automatically).
• Stay ahead of the marshals but within speaking distance.
• When you see the vultures, sprint to them. You should be able to trigger the marker before failing to return to the marshal.
• Sprint to the farm. The shed is on your left as you enter the area.
• Use your horse to sprint from the shed to the outhouse, then to the barn.
• Shoot the boards off the barn as soon as possible. Be close to the barn to trigger the cutscene.
• Sprint to the farmhouse.
• Use Dead-Eye bursts to take out all enemies. Make sure you have some left (bright red) for the last one upstairs with a hostage.
• I found the easiest way to get all of the ones running out is to move to the left of the porch and just pick them off as they run out the door and hide from the marshals.
• After clearing the farmhouse stick with the marshal to the shed. You'll need to wait for him anyway.
• Stay with the marshal towards Fort Mercer. The cutscene won't trigger until they arrive at the ridge.
• Wait for the enemies to get somewhat close. Dead-Eye helps to make accurate long shots.
• Reload between the two waves of enemies.

Justice in Pike's Basin < Spare the Rod, Spoil the Bandit > Hanging Bonnie MacFarlane