Red Dead Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Dead Eye Targeting is a game mechanic in Red Dead Revolver and Red Dead Redemption that 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 is released in quick succession.

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 R1 or RT 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

Dead Eye Targeting Level 1 - Slow down time

Slows down time while the player moves the reticle over targets and manually fires each shot.

Level 2

Dead Eye Targeting Level 2 - Automatically paints targets as long as cursor is over target

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 some marks placed, no shots will be fired.

Level 3

Dead Eye Targeting Level 3 - Paint targets manually

While in Dead eye mode, the player can press the RB/R1 button 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. (NOTE: 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 (L2 on PS3, Left Trigger on XBox360) and clicking the right analog stick or R3 (PS3) / right stick (Xbox 360).

While in Dead Eye targeting mode, aim with the right analog stick and fire with R2 on the PS3, and RT(Right Trigger) on Xbox 360.

At Level 3, targets can also be manually "painted" using the R1 button (PS3) or RB (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 R3 (PS3) / Right Stick (Xbox360). 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.

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.

The Legend of the West Outfit grants the player a greater amount of Dead Eye.

Trivia

  • Activating Dead Eye will lighten up dark places.
  • Activating Dead Eye will also reload the currently equipped weapon to a full clip. Perfect for shortening reload times.
  • Dead Eye can be used to help complete various objectives from the Master Hunter Challenges and Sharpshooter Challenges.
  • Sometimes in Dead Eye when Marston marks a target and then marks another enemy 180 degrees of him, he will shoot his first enemy on target then shoots his second enemy while he is turning and the bullet will travel towards him and hit him.
  • In Dead Eye with the slow motion effect Marston seems to be shooting in normal motion however, in multiplayer it seems as though Dead Eye is in normal motion while the player shoots in a fast motion manner.
  • In Free Roam there is a dead eye pick-up/ammo box on top of an unscaleable cliff south-west of Escalera, this is beyond the gameplay boundary, whether it was accidental, a glitch or Rockstar forgot to take it out is unknown.

Glitches

  • While in Dead Eye, if the player marks targets while having either Dynamite, Throwing Knives, or Fire Bottles equipped, the thrown object acts as a homing missile and continues flying until the target is hit. This has been patched to not allow it in multiplayer.
  • While using Dead Eye Level 1, 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 colourscheme will let you think that you really are in Dead Eye. However, if you release the LT (XBOX360) or L2 (PS3) button, you can press it to aim again.
  • It seems that Dead Eye makes weapons stronger. When you are trying to kill a bear with the Evans Repeater, it will normally take several shots in the head to kill it. But, in Dead Eye, it will only take 2 shots to kill it.

Gallery

Related Content

Advertisement