Red Dead Redemption mission Can a Swindler Change His Spots?
Statistics
Start	Plainview
End	Cueva Seca
Given by	Nigel West Dickens
Location	Plainview
Rewards	$25 and 75 Fame
Progression
Unlocked by	Unlocks
Nigel West Dickens mission strand: "Liars, Cheats and Other Proud Americans"	Nigel West Dickens mission strand: "The Sport of Kings, and Liars"

Can a Swindler Change His Spots? is a mission in Red Dead Redemption.

StoryEdit

John approaches Mr. West Dickens who requests John's aid in selling more elixir. This time, half-way into the performance, two riders appear and denounce Dickens as a fraud. The crowd grows hostile and a chase ensues, in which John must protect Dickens at all costs.

WalkthroughEdit

Mission PrerequisitesEdit

Before this mission becomes available, the player must complete:

• Nigel West Dickens mission: "Liars, Cheats and Other Proud Americans"

Mission ObjectivesEdit

To complete this mission, the player must:

• Join the spectators for Nigel's show in Plainview.
• Ride shotgun for Nigel and fight off any attackers.

Mission DescriptionEdit

In this mission, the player will accompany Nigel riding shotgun on his wagon as he retreats from an angry crowd.

The player must help Nigel escape to Cueva Seca after the crowd turns hostile halfway through his speech. While Nigel is driving, the player will have to defend the wagon from the enemies. Most will be on horseback, but halfway through the escape there are about three or four wagons that the player must fend off (some may have TNT in the back). Then the player will encounter a road block consisting of two wagons blocking the path. A barrel of TNT is conveniently placed on the bed of one of the wagons for the player to shoot.

Aim for the enemies' horses, and they won't be able to follow you on foot. Additionally, using Moonshine to refill your dead eye can help hitting the many moving targets pursuing you.

Mission DialoguesEdit

Main article: Can a Swindler Change His Spots?/dialogues

Mission FailureEdit

The mission will fail if the player:

• Shoots the bottles of West Dickens' elixir on display.
• Let's Nigel die.
• Kills or abandons Nigel West Dickens.
• Kills the horses pulling Nigel's wagon.
• Breaks the law.
• Kills a dog.
• Commits vandalism.
• Assaults or kills townsfolk.
• Dies.
• Steals the wagon.

New Game Elements IntroducedEdit

• Riding shotgun

Mission Complete UnlockablesEdit

• Random Encounter: Fate of the Stagecoach

TriviaEdit

• The title of this mission is a reference to the saying "Can a leopard change his spots", which means that it is hard for someone to break a habit.
• This is one of very few times we see John Marston smoke.
• At the end of the mission, if the player waits for a while before leaving, Mr. West Dickens begins to urinate on the ground. Even if knocked over he continues to urinate.
• A majority of the scammed townsfolk are members of the Williamson Gang, including people such as Kent Gallaway and Melvin Spinney.

Tips & TricksEdit

• 100% accuracy is possible on this mission. When you come to the road block with the wagons of TNT, wait until your driver stops, equip a shotgun (any will do) and aim at the head of the enemy standing in front of the left road block wagon. 9 times out of 10 you'll pepper him and blow the TNT.

GalleryEdit

"Fraud! This man is a fucking charlatan. He just got done swindling down in Cholla Springs with this song and dance!"

"I say we tar and feather him right now!"

"I say we shoot the bastard!"

"I apologize if science is not your forte. Good day one and all!"

"Thank you, my dear boy. You saved the day again. It always impresses me the speed with which a group of men can turn from passive sheep into murderous wolves."

"I'm impressed with how you nearly got us killed back there!"

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

Video WalkthroughEdit

Achievement Edit

Completing this mission contributes toward the following Trophy/Achievement:

	REDEEMED 100 Gold Attain 100% List in the singleplayer game completion list.