I don't think Bronte was the reason saint denis went so badly. In fact, I feel like if they tried to rob the bank with him alive, it might have gone a lot worse.

I’m not quite sure I guess it would’ve bought them a little bit more time in Shady Belle, but for the bank robbery in Saint Denis, maybe the circumstances would’ve been different in a way? the gang had already brought full attention to them once Bronte tricked Dutch into robbing the Trolley Station, even way before that, Milton and Ross came to the camp in Scarlett Meadows so they knew that they were in Lemoyne just not where in Lemoyne, and they were certainly on their tracks the whole time. I believe even if they held Bronte for ransom, he would’ve gone back and set the law on them anyway. But that’s my opinion though.

The Saint Denis Bank Job was a loss, whether Bronte was alive or not. I wouldn't be surprised if Bronte told the Pinkerton's and/or the Saint Denis law enforcement to watch out for the bank.

The gang should've just cut their losses and moved out of Lemoyne.

In chapter 6 you find out Molly was why the bank job went wrong, so I doubt it would have gone much differently

How many times do I have to say this: Molly WAS NOT THE RAT. She only lied of being a rat just to get back at Dutch for ignoring her for a while since Chapter 3. Micah wasn't a rat either until after he gets back from Guarma where he is picked up by the Pinkertons.

The bank robbery was definitely destined to go wrong, especially after Dutch had decided to associate the gang with the likes of Bronte. I do feel like that regardless of Bronte's continued presence within the city or demise, it was not going to turn out in the gang's favor since they'd already had the Pinkertons on their trail.

^Also, yeah, for those who hadn't paid attention during the part in which you confront Agent Milton, Molly hadn't revealed anything.

I agree with the previous replies that the Saint Denis heist was destined to go wrong and the gang should’ve moved out of Lemoyne after Milton found them, since it’s the smallest state and the gang could’ve been easily found anywhere.

But they gang had no other choice but to move to Shady Belle and attempt the heist, and also because Jack was in Saint Denis with Bronte. They had already caused enough trouble in Blackwater and Valentine so moving back to West Elizabeth and Heartlands wouldn’t have made sense. Moving to Beaver Hollow camp in Roanoke after Chapter 3 probably could’ve made more sense, but then again, there wasn’t anything worth stealing and robbing in the nearby towns in Annesburg and Van Horn.

Mabye Arthur will be alive

On my second replay through I noticed a lot of the gang is talking about Dutch losing his mind as early as the beginning of the game, and I had a random encounter during camp where Dutch snapped on me, yelling about how I'm stalking him or something. This happened about a mission or two into chapter 2 lol.

So, I think Dutch spent the entirety of the game in a state of not thinking clearly, not making his best decisions, and he only got more despondant and desperate as time went on.

Interestingly enough; I still believe the only reason Dutch actually abandons Arthur is because of his Tuberculosis. Dutch still shows high levels of concern for Arthur throughout the story, and I never felt like Dutch had completely abandoned Arthur, even after Eagle Flies. Arthur merely replaced Hosea as the primary "second guesser" and Dutch likely couldn't take it anymore. Again, as Early as Horseshoe Overlook, Dutch is rambling about doubters and his hatred of Hoseas constant questioning. The tone between the two of them is very often depcited similar to the Gettes, in that, on the surface they're happy, good friends, and nothing will seperate them. Deep down however, Dutch hates Hoseas doubtful nature and Hosea hates that he might have been conned by Dutch into believing all of his malarkey.