Red Dead Online: How to Become a Moonshiner

Red Dead Online has added the first new role since they were introduced to the game: the Moonshiner, a profession based around brewing and distributing barrels of elicit hooch. We'll show you how to become a moonshiner and what you can expect from it right here.

How to Become a Moonshiner

Becoming a moonshiner actually requires you to become a Trader first, then to complete one of several conditions. You don't have to complete them all, just one of them:

• Pay five gold bars in the "Progress" section of the main menu (not including the Trader starting fee)
• Complete a Trader Selling Delivery
• Reach Trader Rank 5

Once you complete any of these conditions, you'll get a letter sent both to any delivery offices and to your camp lockbox, with Cripps offering to introduce you to famed bootlegger Maggie Fike. This will open up a mission in Emerald Ranch (you should be able to see it on the map marked by a yellow icon), in which you can go to an old saloon and meet Fike personally in a cutscene. She'll explain how she wants to start up her bootlegging business again, and wants you to help… provided you pay an up-front investment. Like with being a trader, you'll have an opportunity to pay either in the cinematic, or you can do so later if you have the money.

To do this, go into the online menu (left on the D-Pad) and go down to "Camp and Properties". There'll be a second option for where you want to put a Moonshine Shack, though it makes it clear it'll charge you for the privilege. Once you do buy it, the Moonshiner role will open up and you'll be able to start playing it for yourself.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Moonshiner?

A lot, and that's even by the standards of Red Dead's famously expensive economy. Assuming you paid the standard 15 gold to become a trader, the second expense you'll have to pay is an extra 25 gold bars to buy a Moonshine Shack from Fike and thus unlock the moonshiner role. This means that it'll cost you at least 40 gold bars to become a moonshiner, though at least you'll also get to be a Trader along the way as well.

So being a Trader, why not check out our full guide to what trading entails and how to make the most out of it here? Or if you're going to be riding across the West, take a peek at our guide on saddles to see which is the best for you and your trusty steed.