Throughout the gripping story of Red Dead Redemption 2, players are often faced with moral choices that shape their Arthur Morgan experience. One such moment comes with the decision of whether to kill Anthony Foreman or let him live. Foreman is a former gang member and a known enemy of the Van der Linde gang. When players run into him later in the game, Arthur has a chance to take revenge or spare him. This choice might seem minor, but it reflects deeper themes of morality, loyalty, and transformation. Deciding whether to kill Anthony Foreman or not adds an extra layer to the narrative, especially for players trying to shape Arthur’s legacy.
Who Is Anthony Foreman?
Background and Gang Ties
Anthony Foreman is the leader of the Foreman Brothers gang, a rival group to the Van der Linde gang. The Foreman Brothers are involved in criminal activity around Rhodes and are notorious for their aggressive and territorial behavior. They are closely tied to some of the darker events in the story, especially those involving the abuse of certain characters like Tilly Jackson, who was once held captive by them.
Arthur’s Encounter with Foreman
Arthur Morgan encounters Anthony Foreman during a mission involving Tilly, who was previously kidnapped and mistreated by Foreman’s gang. After rescuing Tilly, Arthur and the player are given the opportunity to track down Anthony Foreman himself. Once Foreman is subdued, Arthur must decide what to do with him kill him in cold blood or let him go with a warning. This moment becomes one of the more debated moral decisions in the game.
The Case for Killing Anthony Foreman
Justice and Revenge
Many players feel justified in killing Anthony Foreman because of his past crimes. His role in Tilly’s kidnapping and abuse makes him a clear villain in the story. For those seeking justice or retribution, especially on behalf of Tilly, eliminating Foreman can feel like the right course of action.
Eliminating Future Threats
Some players also argue that sparing Foreman leaves a potential threat alive. In a world like that of Red Dead Redemption 2, where rival gangs can reappear and cause trouble, killing Foreman removes one dangerous enemy from the equation. This approach is pragmatic one less enemy means one less risk to the Van der Linde gang.
Staying in Character
If a player is role-playing Arthur as a more ruthless outlaw, killing Foreman fits that version of the character. Choosing a darker path aligns with many other decisions in the game that prioritize loyalty to the gang or survival over morality.
The Case for Sparing Anthony Foreman
High Honor Route
Players aiming for a high honor playthrough may prefer to spare Foreman. Letting him live can be seen as an act of mercy or moral superiority. In this light, Arthur becomes a man who, despite his past, tries to do the right thing. Sparing Foreman contributes positively to the game’s honor system, which can affect dialogue, cutscenes, and even the game’s ending.
Tilly’s Perspective
Interestingly, Tilly herself tells Arthur that killing Foreman is unnecessary. She says that his power is gone, and he no longer poses a threat. This gives weight to the argument for sparing him revenge may not be needed if the victim herself no longer sees him as dangerous. Listening to Tilly respects her wishes and supports Arthur’s transformation into a better man.
Foreman’s Later Appearance
If spared, Anthony Foreman can be encountered again in Saint Denis, working as a bounty target. This small detail adds a dynamic layer to the world and rewards players who chose to let him live. The encounter also provides a chance to capture him and turn him in legally, which can still offer justice without execution.
How the Choice Affects Gameplay
No Major Plot Impact
From a pure gameplay perspective, whether you kill or spare Anthony Foreman doesn’t have a major impact on the main storyline. The choice is not tied to a specific mission branch or outcome. However, it does influence your honor level, which can shape the tone of the final hours of the game.
Honor System Effects
Choosing to spare Foreman boosts your honor, while killing him decreases it. The honor system affects Arthur’s dialogue, NPC reactions, and the ending cutscene. A high honor Arthur receives a more peaceful, redemptive ending, while low honor Arthur has a more violent and tragic farewell. For players who care about Arthur’s legacy, this decision though minor can ripple into those broader consequences.
Additional Bounty Opportunity
If you let Foreman live, he becomes a bounty later on. While this doesn’t unlock unique rewards, it does add content and variety to the Saint Denis area. It also shows how Rockstar Games carefully crafts consequences that reward attention to earlier decisions.
Role-Playing and Narrative Impact
Arthur’s Character Arc
Arthur Morgan’s story is ultimately about change. Many players choose to guide him from a rough outlaw to a man seeking redemption. Decisions like whether to kill or spare Anthony Foreman help reflect the kind of Arthur you want to create. Sparing him can symbolize growth and restraint, while killing him can reflect loyalty to the gang or distrust of enemies.
Emotional Weight of Player Choice
Though the consequences may not be huge mechanically, the emotional and narrative weight of the decision is significant. Red Dead Redemption 2 thrives on player immersion, and the ability to make morally gray decisions adds depth to the journey. Whether you feel satisfied with your choice often says more about your connection to the character than it does about the actual outcome.
Should You Kill Anthony Foreman or Not?
Ultimately, whether you choose to kill Anthony Foreman or let him live is a personal decision shaped by your playstyle and how you interpret Arthur Morgan’s journey. If you’re seeking justice, closure, or maintaining a hardened outlaw persona, then killing Foreman may feel justified. On the other hand, if you’re aiming to walk the path of redemption, or respect Tilly’s view, sparing him could be the more meaningful choice.
Either way, the choice adds flavor to the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and provides a subtle but powerful reflection of who your Arthur Morgan truly is. Whether he’s driven by revenge or striving for redemption, each action shapes the legacy he leaves behind. And that, more than anything, is what makes the decision worth considering.