How I deal with cheaters in Red Dead Online

[Twinkies]

Dealing with cheaters in RDO can be quite challenging, as is the case with many games lacking administrators. After conducting some investigations, I discovered that the issue stems from a mod menu that allows players to modify the game. Unfortunately, these mods affect everyone in the lobby, leading to a frustrating experience. However, I'm not one to give up easily, so I've developed a few strategies to avoid encountering cheaters, or what I refer to as "griefers."

The first important lesson is learning how to switch lobbies promptly. As soon as you come across a cheater, it's best to switch lobbies or take a break by turning off the game. Encountering cheaters is a rare occurrence and doesn't happen all the time. When you do encounter a cheater, make sure to report them and switch lobbies.

Another valuable insight I've gained is that participating in events and missions can separate you from the main lobby, providing a safer environment free from cheaters. For example, your moonshine shack is a secure location, and certain missions like the naturalist will keep you safe. Unfortunately, trader missions are typically conducted in the game world, so it's more challenging to avoid cheaters in those situations. In the case of trader missions, I recommend only engaging in short missions. If you happen to encounter a cheater, which is actually quite rare, switch to a different world and restart the mission. You won't lose any progress except for having to start over.

Having played the game for years, I can attest that while cheaters can be frustrating, there are ways to minimize the impact. Remember to avoid playing in the same world as cheaters, take note of their names, and report them whenever possible.

[Silhouette]

Originally posted by Twinkies:

When you do encounter a cheater, make sure to report them and switch lobbies.

Sadly, reporting cheaters in-game really doesn't accomplish much. I understand the cheaters can intercept the report before it gets sent to Rockstar. They can also determine who sent the report, so really it just paints a giant target on you. :(

If your going to report a cheater, the best way to do it is on the Rockstar Support site:
https://support.rockstargames.com/categories/115001624507?step=7364346d

Sadly, unless you're able to provide a video catching the cheater in-the-act, and show their account information on screen (through the Players Menu), there really isn't anything Rockstar can do. It's easy for cheaters to present as other players (by changing their displayed name and other tricks) which makes it extremely difficult for Rockstar to issue bans.

- - - - -

When it comes to dealing with cheaters, there's really only 3 ways to escape them.

1) Switch sessions. Esc -> Online -> Free Roam. While this will put you in a new sessions, it'll only be a matter of time before you run into another cheater. :/

2) Don't play in public sessions. This video shows you how to create private/solo games:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFd2af8wINE
3) Quit playing. Honestly, there's better online worlds on PC from developers who treat their PC audience much better. Rockstar's main focus is consoles. Both GTA Online and RDO on PC are absolutely saturated with cheaters, and Rockstar either can't do anything to fix the problem, or they're deliberately choosing to do nothing.

[Twinkies]

The optimal method for reporting cheaters is through the in-game menu, which proves to be effective. Nevertheless, concerns arise about Rockstar's responsiveness to these reports due to the game's evident neglect.

[Spocks Toupee]

Also, to give yourself 10 minutes of breathing room to switch lobbies etc. If you're able, make sure to pick the "PARLEY" option after being killed by a griefer.
THat prevents them from interacting with you for 10 minutes.

[kissakias]

let them kill you, you get their name in the screen so can go to socia lclub findthem and block them.
if cant findtheir name, just change the session by clicking online after ESC.
private sessions as i know, are private for 15-20 mins at most.

[Silhouette]

Originally posted by kissakias:

private sessions as i know, are private for 15-20 mins at most.

I believe if you add a "password" as shown in the video other players wont be able to join.

[cort2z]

TY 4 showing the password method - work like a charm 4 me <3

[SUR13 [487de7]Driftleaders]

same as gta v , you do nothing , you change session and do nothing ; you can t do nothing to them because rockstar does nothing .

[Twinkies]

Originally posted by 013:

same as gta v , you do nothing , you change session and do nothing ; you can t do nothing to them because rockstar does nothing .

I agree. Rockstar actually did try to do something and they sued the people responsible for these mod menu hacks. There's a whole story about it if you look it up. This is a case of very bad people tampering with a game that doesn't belong to them.

[Vlados]

Why complicate your game? Just play in a closed session. I for example play closed session with a friend, the game is good for co-op.

[Jbird]

Originally posted by Vlados:

Why complicate your game? :lunar2020thinkingtiger: Just play in a closed session. I for example play closed session with a friend, the game is good for co-op.

How to create a closed session

[Fishin]

Originally posted by Jbird:

Originally posted by Vlados:

Why complicate your game? :lunar2020thinkingtiger: Just play in a closed session. I for example play closed session with a friend, the game is good for co-op.

How to create a closed session

simple and easy :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFd2af8wINE

[SuperNovaX92]

Originally posted by Fishin:

Originally posted by Jbird:

How to create a closed session

simple and easy :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFd2af8wINE

Thanks buddy <3

[Yucca_Farmer]

RDO Lobby Manager

[Twinkies]

Well, two years have passed since I posted this. Since then, I've learned another trick. This one is about quickly getting into a private lobby for a trader mission. Now, listen carefully. What you do is rest at your campfire for about 10 to 15 seconds, then open the change appearance menu. Once you're in the change appearance menu, don't actually change your appearance - just exit. You will then be in a private lobby for a short time. Run to your butcher table and start a long-distance delivery. You will be in a private lobby for the entire mission.

[Silhouette]

I dunno, option 3 in my first reply seems to be the way I'm currently dealing with cheaters. :P

If Rockstar ever addresses the rampart cheating I'll be back in a heartbeat, but until then, there's just better games out there from developers who actually support their products.