Quick Answer
Use this tracker to separate story-safe progress from long cleanup. During the main story, record chapter locks, stranger starts, camp requests, Guarma notes, and rare animals. After the epilogue, finish collectibles, challenges, compendium gaps, hunting requests, and map cleanup by category.
Master Tracker
| Track | When To Start | Cleanup Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Story and chapter locks | During every chapter | Check chapter missables before moving on |
| Stranger missions | As soon as they appear | Record starts by region; finish flexible chains later |
| Challenges | Start early, finish late | Do not let challenge grinds break story pacing |
| Collectibles | Mark while traveling | Clear by category after the story |
| Animals and compendium | Record rare finds early | Save long study/skin cleanup for dedicated routes |
| Hunting and trapper | Start after better weapons | Use perfect-pelt routes instead of random roaming |
| Epilogue cleanup | After story | Close Arthur/John item checks, graves, and final map gaps |
Story-Safe Checklist
| Done | Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| [ ] | Chapter 2 camp requests and early strangers noted | Prevents forgetting soft missables |
| [ ] | Chapter 3 and 4 side tasks checked before moving on | Keeps stranger and companion cleanup readable |
| [ ] | Guarma animals noted separately | Guarma cleanup is easier to miss than normal regions |
| [ ] | Chapter 6 honor and relationship tasks reviewed | Some late story choices affect ending tone and cleanup |
| [ ] | Epilogue unlocks and inherited items checked | Avoids wondering which Arthur items carried forward |
Collectible Tracker
| Category | Track This | Related Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarette cards | Sets started, duplicates, vendor/mail cleanup | Cigarette Cards Route |
| Dinosaur bones | Region clusters and mailed locations | Dinosaur Bones Route |
| Dreamcatchers | Tree clusters and final reward | Dreamcatchers Route |
| Rock carvings | Cliff/region pathing | Rock Carvings Route |
| Graves | Post-story grave visits | Graves Route |
| Treasure maps | Map chain status and final cache | Treasure Map Route |
Challenge Tracker
| Challenge Type | Best Handling | Related Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Bandit | Manage honor loss and wanted risk | Bandit Challenges |
| Explorer | Pair with treasure map cleanup | Explorer Challenges |
| Gambler | Save for focused sessions | Gambler Challenges |
| Herbalist | Track plants by region | Herbalist Challenges |
| Horseman | Use planned routes and tonics | Horseman Challenges |
| Master Hunter | Pair with perfect-pelt routes | Master Hunter Challenges |
| Sharpshooter | Prep weapons before attempts | Sharpshooter Challenges |
| Survivalist | Combine with fishing and wilderness cleanup | Survivalist Challenges |
| Weapons Expert | Save explosives and special weapons | Weapons Expert Challenges |
Animal And Hunting Tracker
| Track | What To Record | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Legendary animals | Region, kill status, trapper turn-in | Use legendary route before random hunting |
| Perfect pelts | Species, weapon, region, quality | Route by animal instead of roaming blindly |
| Compendium gaps | Study, track, kill, skin status | Clean one biome at a time |
| Hunting requests | Required carcass, freshness, mail status | Pre-collect carefully and avoid spoiled items |
| Trapper outfits | Needed pelt, legendary part, reinforced gear | Check before selling or leaving a region |
FAQ
Should I chase 100% during the first story run?
Track important notes during the story, but do not force every collectible and challenge immediately. The tracker works best when story pacing and cleanup are separated.
What is easiest to miss?
Guarma notes, chapter-specific companion tasks, camp requests, and late honor/relationship choices are easier to confuse than ordinary collectibles.
Can I finish stranger missions after the epilogue?
Many stranger chains remain flexible, but you should still record starts and chapter context so you know which route you were following.
What should I save for last?
Long challenges, animal compendium cleanup, hunting requests, and scattered collectibles are usually better as dedicated post-story sessions.