Red Dead Redemption 2 Dead Eye Explained: How to Use Dead Eye

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use Dead Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Rockstar’s first brand new game of this console generation has finally arrived and we now have the chance to explore its deep open world and be the outlaw we want to be.

Using Dead Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2

Dead Eye is a shooting mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2 that allows you to slow time and take out a few enemies at once with pinpoint accuracy. It was present in the first game, but it’s been updated and improved for the sequel.

With a bar full, you can slow time, the screen turning a faint red color, and you move over the enemies in front of you, choosing which you want to shoot quickly.

Then, Arthur unloads on them with a quick blast of his gun, clearing the way in front of you. It’s pretty impressive and extremely useful.

To start dead eye, you need to press R3 (press in the right analog stick), provided your meter is full enough that you’re able to. You can check how full your Dead Eye charge is by looking at the eye symbol that appears over your compass.

Once you’ve pressed the button to activate it, you can move between enemies using the left thumbstick. You’re able to move it freely to choose where you want to shoot.

You need to be quick about it, though. The faster you move, the more people you’ll be able to shoot because the meter drains while Dead Eye is active, so you only have so much time.

To increase its  duration, you can use different provisions that fill it up quickly after you’ve used it.

If you’re ready to cut it off short and don’t want to wait for the bar to empty, by the way, you can simply shoot (by pressing R2 on PS4 or RT on Xbox One).

Strategies for Using It Effectively

As for when Dead Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2 is best to use, it is particularly effective when you’re in a shootout with an overwhelming number of enemies.

You can activate it, and then quickly use the right analog stick to highlight targets before letting off shots in quick succession. This will particularly happen in certain missions, or if you’ve decided to become a bandit and take out a whole town.

Their law enforcement won’t quite like that.

As we get more experience with the game and upgrade our Dead Eye ability, we’ll be sure to update you on more strategies for using it.

You might also want to check out our RDR2 gun guide, too.

That’s it for how to use Dead Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2. For more tips and tricks on the game, be sure to check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 wiki guide.