In Undead Nightmare, the eerie and twisted expansion to Red Dead Redemption, players are introduced to a world consumed by the living dead, including the Four Horses of the Apocalypse. Pestilence, one of these mythical mounts, represents disease and decay, and riding this legendary horse is both an achievement and a strategic advantage. However, what happens when Pestilence dies? Many players encounter this unfortunate event and are left wondering if the horse can return, if the game is bugged, or if there’s any chance to recover their fallen steed. Losing Pestilence can be a significant setback, especially given its undead endurance and thematic role in the gameplay experience.
Who Is Pestilence in Undead Nightmare?
Pestilence is one of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse available to tame in Undead Nightmare. Each horse is scattered throughout the map, and players must find and break them in order to add them to their inventory. Pestilence is a pale, rotting horse with an eerie presence and extremely high health. Unlike normal horses, Pestilence can survive attacks that would kill any standard mount, making it a reliable companion in zombie-infested territory.
Unique Traits of Pestilence
- Immense durability can survive zombie swarms and gunfire longer than most horses.
- Has a decayed, plague-ridden appearance, fitting the apocalyptic theme.
- Required to complete the Four Horses of the Apocalypse side quest.
- Becomes available randomly, often found in Tall Trees or near West Elizabeth.
Due to these qualities, players who capture Pestilence often keep it as their primary steed for much of the game. Unfortunately, even the strongest horse is not immortal.
What Happens When Pestilence Dies?
Like all horses in the game, Pestilence is not immune to permanent death. Despite its massive health pool, the horse can still be killed through sustained damage, gunfire, explosives, or even scripted events like falling off a cliff or being caught in cinematic sequences. Once Pestilence dies, players may be left with confusion or concern over what to do next.
Key Points to Consider
- If Pestilence dies before taming all four horses, the side quest will remain incomplete.
- The horse’s death does not trigger an automatic respawn like regular mounts.
- Saving and reloading the game does not guarantee Pestilence’s return.
- The player may need to hunt it down again in the wild.
Many players discover the hard way that if Pestilence dies early in the game, it might take time before another chance to tame it arises. This can be especially frustrating for completionists or those aiming to unlock all Four Horses before advancing the story.
Can Pestilence Be Recovered After Death?
Yes, but not always immediately. The reappearance of Pestilence after death depends on certain in-game conditions and behaviors.
Methods to Potentially Recover Pestilence
- Revisit Spawn Locations: Pestilence may respawn at known locations such as Tall Trees, near Aurora Basin, or other wilderness areas in West Elizabeth. These respawns are random, and you may need to check multiple times.
- Reload an Earlier Save: If you recently saved the game before Pestilence’s death, reloading can bring it back. This is the most reliable method but only works if you have manual saves.
- Wait In-Game Time: Some players have reported that Pestilence may respawn after progressing the story or completing certain missions. This isn’t guaranteed, but it’s worth considering if you’re mid-campaign.
- Use War or Famine Instead: If Pestilence cannot be found again, you can still complete the Four Horses quest by acquiring the other three. Though Pestilence is unique, its absence does not block overall progress permanently.
Important Tip:
After capturing Pestilence or any Apocalypse Horse, make sure to hitch it at a camp or town. This registers the horse as your active mount and reduces the chances of losing it permanently.
Preventing Pestilence from Dying
Once you’ve tamed Pestilence, it’s worth taking extra care to protect the horse from danger. While powerful, it can still die in reckless situations.
How to Keep Pestilence Safe
- Avoid Explosive Weapons: Accidental friendly fire from dynamite, fire bottles, or zombie bears can quickly turn lethal.
- Stay on Roads: Riding on treacherous cliffs or tight mountain paths can lead to fatal falls.
- Use Hitching Posts: Hitch Pestilence at every opportunity to mark it as your default horse and prevent it from wandering into danger.
- Keep Distance from Combat Zones: In missions or random encounters with high enemy density, it’s safer to dismount away from danger.
Treating Pestilence like a valuable asset rather than a disposable tool will ensure it stays with you longer and contributes to your survival across the undead West.
Alternative Apocalypse Horses
If Pestilence is lost and cannot be recovered quickly, players may consider switching to one of the other Horses of the Apocalypse, each with its own benefits.
- War: A fiery horse that sets zombies ablaze on impact, great for offensive strategies.
- Famine: Surrounded by swarming insects, useful for thematic flair and mystique.
- Death: Instantly kills undead enemies on contact arguably the most powerful mount in the game.
While Pestilence is valued for its durability, the other horses offer equally engaging gameplay and can serve as powerful replacements.
Does Pestilence’s Death Affect Game Progress?
The short answer is no but with conditions. If Pestilence dies after the Four Horses of the Apocalypse quest is complete, there’s little impact aside from personal preference. However, if it dies beforehand, the quest may become temporarily stalled.
Things to Keep in Mind
- The Four Horses quest can still be completed if Pestilence is found again later.
- There’s no permanent fail state from losing any of the horses.
- Make manual saves frequently to safeguard against accidental losses.
When Pestilence Dies in Undead Nightmare
Losing Pestilence in Undead Nightmare is a frustrating but not game-breaking experience. Though its immense health and undead design make it a valuable mount, it is still vulnerable to the dangers of the frontier. Players should take precautionary steps to protect Pestilence and remember that, with persistence, the horse may reappear. Whether through revisiting spawn areas or reloading an earlier save, there are several methods to reclaim the apocalyptic beast. And if all else fails, the other legendary horses provide their own unique advantages to help you survive the horrors of the undead West.