Dead Eye Targeting is a game mechanic present in every installment of the Red Dead series, which slows down time to allow the player to get more accurate shots on enemies. After marking targets, normal time resumes and a flurry of bullets are released in quick succession.
Red Dead Revolver
Dead Eye Sign in Red Dead Revolver
Red Dead Revolver introduces the Deadeye system (spelled as a single non-hyphenated word in that game). The player begins with three slots in the Deadeye meter, with each slot representing a single use of the mechanic. The slots are gradually refilled as the player gets kills, with headshots refilling the meter faster. The player can add more slots to the meter by meeting challenges and by purchasing items.
When using Deadeye, the weapon crosshairs cycles between three positions - a wide yellow cross, a slightly narrower red cross, and a tight red cross. The latter provides a critical hit which reduces the enemy's health more significantly. Shots are marked by using the 
or 
button. The ammunition capacity of the weapon determines how many shots can be marked. The player can use the R2 or RB button at any time to end deadeye and to cause all marked shots to be completed.
Red Harlow, the main playable character, uses Deadeye, while other playable characters have different skills that use the same meter. Jack Swift uses a form of Deadeye, with the difference that all shots are automatically marked and completed very rapidly, up to the maximum ammunition capacity, rather than being marked by the player.
All duels use Deadeye, but with a limited duration that varies based on the level of the enemy.
Red Dead Redemption
There are three levels of Dead Eye in the story mode of Red Dead Redemption, each level being unlocked as the storyline progresses. Marston is invincible while in Dead Eye and incoming shots do no damage. Dead Eye can also be used within the Undead Nightmare DLC.
Single-player
Dead Eye level 1 is acquired during the second mission "New Friends, Old Problems" for Bonnie MacFarlane. Level 2 is acquired during Nigel West Dickens mission "You Shall Not Give False Testimony, Except for Profit" and Level 3 from Landon Ricketts in Chuparosa, in the mission "The Gunslinger's Tragedy".
Sniper rifles, such as the Carcano Rifle and Rolling Block Rifle, only slow down time and do not allow marking of targets, therefore the three levels are equivalent for these weapons. These weapons are not generally available before reaching level 3 in any case.
The Dead Eye meter is refilled by hitting enemies, with headshots refilling the meter faster. Consumables also refill the meter as noted below.
Level 1
Slows down time while the player moves the reticle over targets and manually fires each shot.
Level 2
While in Dead Eye mode, moving the reticle over an enemy automatically places marks on that specific location. As soon as the fire button is pressed, all of the marked locations will automatically be fired at, even if the opponent has moved behind cover when the sequence started. It is therefore advised to target enemies close to cover first. If Dead Eye is exited without any marks placed, no shots will be fired.
Level 3
While in Dead Eye mode, the player can press the button (PS3) or 
(Xbox 360) to mark enemies manually. Pressing the fire button after enemies have been marked will automatically make the player fire at the targets in the order they have been placed. Shots marked while enemies are out of cover will be attempted regardless of whether the enemy is still visible.
Attempting to fire without placing a mark will send one bullet towards the target and end Dead Eye at the same time. With the exception of certain weapons, you cannot fire and remain in Dead Eye without queuing shots. Weapons with a magazine size of one, namely the Buffalo Rifle, will make the player go out of Dead eye, while the two scoped weapons, the Rolling Block Rifle and Carcano Rifle, will still stay in slow-motion after being fired, initiating the reload sequence.
Usage
Dead Eye Targeting is activated by holding the "Aim" button (
on PS3, 
on Xbox360) and clicking the right analog stick or 
(PS3) / 
(Xbox 360).
While in Dead Eye targeting mode, aim with the right analog stick and fire with 
on the PS3, and on Xbox 360.
At Level 3, targets can also be manually "painted" using the button (PS3) or (Xbox 360). This allows the player to select the exact point in which the bullet will hit, providing extra precision, should it be required.
To exit Dead Eye targeting and return to normal aiming mode, simply click the right analog stick or (PS3) / (Xbox 360). The player will return to normal aiming mode once the Dead Eye meter has been emptied.
Dead-Eye Restoration
The following items restore the Dead Eye meter, as with other consumables they can only be used in singleplayer.
- Snake Oil
- Chewing Tobacco
- Moonshine (also makes the Dead Eye meter be unlimited for 10 seconds)
- Tonic (can be made after completing the Level 10 Survivalist Challenge)
Multiplayer
Dead Eye can be used in Redemption Multiplayer, but does not slow down time. It can be used to paint targets automatically on other players as in level 2. This allows players to dispatch multiple enemies quickly. Dead Eye is recharged by killing players or NPCs or finding Dead Eye chests scattered across the map. These appear as a small, bright green light.
In Free Roam, there is an invisible circle encompassing the Dead Eye Recharge and the Ammo Crate. This is a safety zone from animals. Animals will charge at the player while within this circle, but will stop at the edge and walk the perimeter. This is an easy way to kill dangerous animals. Just stay within the circle and shoot them from safety. The player can still be injured by NPCs and other players.
Outfits
The Deadly Assassin Outfit allows the player to regenerate Dead-Eye twice as fast. This was one of three contenders for the outfit pre-order bonus. The Deadly Assassin outfit won and was available at selected retailers when pre-ordering a copy of Red Dead Redemption. The outfit was subsequently included in the Game of the Year Edition and released as DLC on the PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE for the cost of $0.99 or 80 Microsoft Points.
Obtaining the Legend of the West Outfit by completing the Single Player Challenges grants the player a greater amount of Dead Eye. Wearing the outfit itself has no effect.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Dead Eye HUD icon
Dead Eye Targeting in Red Dead Redemption 2 is similar to how it was in Red Dead Redemption. However, Dead Eye Targeting is now divided into 5 levels which will be unlocked as the story progresses, bonus abilities of Dead Eye can also be obtained through leveling up Dead Eye through hunting, skinning or completing special challenges. Unlike previous installation, players still receive damage while they are in the Dead Eye mode.
Dead Eye Targeting
| Level | Mission | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapter 1, "Old Friends" | Slows down time and automatically marks targets with a red x by dragging the reticle over them. |
| 2 | Chapter 2, "Pouring Forth Oil IV" | Players can manually target enemies. |
| 3 | Chapter 4, "Urban Pleasures" | Player can stay in Dead Eye mode after firing shots without marking targets. |
| 4 | Chapter 5, "Fleeting Joy" | Highlights the fatal regions of enemies (brain and heart). |
| 5 | Chapter 6, "Goodbye, Dear Friend" | Highlights critical regions of enemies (lungs, neck, stomach, spine, groin) in addition to fatal regions. |
Tips
- In several missions, Dead Eye is very useful in fulfilling requirements which demand players to complete missions with minimum accuracy rate. Players simply mark red x on enemies before firing to ensure that every shot will fly to the target.
- It's worth reminding that Dead Eye Targeting doesn't guarantee a target hit. Players could still miss targets if they are out of weapon's range or move into the cover.
- There are two different firing stances during the Dead Eye mode. If players mark more than one red x, the character will hold firearms at hip-level. If not, the character will hold firearms at shoulder-level. Because these firing stances affect the bullet trajectory, players should pay attention to obstacles in the surrounding environment.
- If players activate Dead Eye mode while in the cover or on horseback, the firing stance will always be shoulder-level.
- Besides firearms, players can also use Dead Eye with thrown weapons such as Throwing Knife and Tomahawk.
Red Dead Online
Dead Eye Targeting in Red Dead Online functions very similarly to Red Dead Redemption 2, though you cannot slow down time by activating it. You cannot upgrade Dead Eye levels as you could in Red Dead Redemption 2, only being able to upgrade it with an Ability Card.
Trivia
- Activating Dead Eye will lighten up dark places.
- Activating Dead Eye will also reload the currently equipped weapon to a full magazine, perfect for shortening reload times (with the exception of Red Dead Online).
- Using Dead Eye targeting (level 2 or 3) on targets with Throwing Knives, Fire Bottles, Dynamite or Tomahawks will cause a "homing effect" whereby it will follow the target until it hits, much like a homing missile. This can create a rather comedic effect if Dynamite or Molotovs are used on birds (This does not work in multiplayer).
- Dead Eye can be used to help complete various objectives from the Master Hunter Challenges and Sharpshooter Challenges. In hardcore mode, Dead Eye is very useful for fending off pursuers on horseback, due to expert aiming (free aim) being set to permanent in the mode, making it often difficult to get a hit on enemies moving fast.
- In Red Dead Redemption 2, Dead Eye will change the reload animations of the guns, making them appear more snappy and aggressive.
- Sometimes in Dead Eye, when the player marks a target and then marks another enemy 180 degrees of him, he will shoot his first enemy on target, then shoot his second enemy while he is turning and the bullet will travel towards him and hit him. When Dead Eye is activated, the player is invulnerable to all forms of damage.
- In Free Roam there is a Dead Eye pick-up/ammo box on top of an unscaleable cliff southwest of Escalera.
- In Red Dead Redemption 2, when playing as John, the Dead Eye ambient sound is the same as it is in Red Dead Redemption, while the ambient sound is different from the first game while playing as Arthur.
- During "Banking, the Old American Art", when Lenny is shot, the Dead Eye will automatically activate and it won't consume any of its meter.
- In Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur's Honor level will make the Dead Eye sound effect slightly different.
Glitches
- While using Dead Eye's first level, either by a cheat or not, in combination with the Infinite Dead Eye cheat in singleplayer, it is possible that your Dead Eye meter will not drop. The time will advance at normal speed, but the sepia colour scheme will let you think that you really are in Dead Eye. However, if you release the
(PS3) button or 
(X360), you can press it to aim again. - While using Dead Eye In Redemption, it is possible that it will take much longer to shoot the targets than it would normally. This glitch can at times be very time consuming, as the player cannot exit out of Dead Eye while this glitch occurs until the targets have been shot.
Gallery
Red Dead Redemption
Undead Nightmare
Multiplayer
Red Dead Redemption 2
