U.S. Marshals

The United States Marshals Service is a form of law enforcement in Red Dead Redemption. Marshals operate around Armadillo, MacFarlane's Ranch, and Blackwater and are also called in to pursue players with high bounties throughout the American portion of the game map. "Marshals" is also a class of playable multiplayer characters.

Background
The US Marshal Service is the oldest form of law enforcement in the United States, the office being created by the first U.S. Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1789. Marshals in Red Dead Redemption are usually in charge of one county.



The most prominent marshal in the Red Dead Redemption story is Leigh Johnson; the Sheriff of Armadillo.

In single player, the player can obtain the U.S. Marshal Outfit, which grants special benefits (see the page for details).

Bounties
When the player gains a U.S. bounty of $1000 or more, Marshals are called in to pursue the player in place of the local law enforcement that handles lower bounty levels. Marshals will not pursue the player into Nuevo Paraiso, but can sometimes be found waiting at the border if the player tries to cross over to New Austin while the bounty is still active.

Multiplayer
Rockstar added Marshals as playable multiplayer characters on October 1st 2010, giving access to eight characters in the Outfitter. For more information on these characters see the Marshals section of the Multiplayer Characters page.

As in single player, NPC Marshals will pursue characters with bounties in multiplayer.

When you become a Public Enemy, Marshals will often spawn near you and start pursuing you. This can sometimes happen in the wild, though they often spawn relatively close to a town or settlement. It does however, depend on your location.

In Multiplayer, Marshals will not give you a chance to surrender. They will shoot at you on sight.

Trivia

 * The U.S. Marshal badge is the symbol used for the third level of Legend in multiplayer.


 * All U.S. Marshals in the game have ties, accept four Jonah, Eil, and the U.S. Marshal outfit.

Achievements
Pursuit by Marshals is a factor in the following achievement/trophy: