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The vast and brimming open world inRed Dead Redemptionoffers numerous secrets waiting to be discovered and challenges to pursue. When you’re notfully immersed in the main storyline, you’re able to choose to explore and interact with the world around you through Master Hunter and Survivalist challenges,just like inRed Dead Redemption 2.
The survivalist challenges, in particular, test your scouting skills for rare and exotic plants. These challenges are categorized into ranks, with each rank tasking you to hunt for unique plants. The second rank in the survivalist challenge requires you to find and harvest six Desert Sages. These plants aren’t easily found, as they aren’t too widespread, which can make it time-consuming if you try to look for them without any help. If you wish to save some exploration time and want to know the exact fewlocations where Desert Sages are aplenty, the following guide should prove valuable.
While being a rare and exotic plant type, Desert Sages can be found in the following four regions:
You can identify these plants by looking for the bright purple flowers blooming from them.
InRed Dead Redemption, plants, including Desert Sages, are challenging to spot through the naked eyes, as they are often well obscured by the surrounding foliage, and even the time of day can play tricks on you. This is why you shouldconsider purchasing the Survivalist Maps from general stores.
Once purchased, Survivalist Maps are added to your satchel, and you can use them like any other consumable. These maps passively scan the nearby area for plants and highlight them on the mini-map. Thiseffect lasts for 20 minutes, which should be plenty of time to gather 2 to 3 Desert Sages in a run.
Harvested plants respawn after one full, in-game day. So, you can always return to the same spot the next day to harvest the plant again.
Besides the Survivalist Challenge Rank 2, you’ll also needtwo Desert Sages to complete the Survivalist Challenge Rank 10. Knowing the plant’s locations can help you complete the final challenge without extensive exploration.
Similarly, as you ride east of MacFarlane’s Ranch, you may run into an old man picking flowers for his wife. Interacting with him initiates the“Flowers for a Lady” stranger side quest. This quest requires you to possess or collectthree Desert Sages, along with Red Sages and Wild Feverfew for the old man.
In theUndead NightmareDLC, Desert Sages are crucial for completing the survivor mission: “A Cure For Most Of What Ails You.” Later in the DLC, these plants become an essential ingredient for crafting phosphorus bullets.
Lastly, the following achievements are associated with collecting Desert Sages, either to complete Survivalists Challenges or quests:
