Red Dead Redemption 2 players almost finished solving a mystery that lay hidden for 7 years before realizing they missed the actual start, even though it involves a bright red pentagram

1. Games
2. Action Games
3. Red Dead
4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 players almost finished solving a mystery that lay hidden for 7 years before realizing they missed the actual start, even though it involves a bright red pentagram News By Anthony McGlynn published 15 January 2026

Hail Satan, etc

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Rockstar) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

If you're a fan of Red Dead Redemption 2, you may be aware of the ongoing spider web mystery that somehow went unnoticed since launch. Well, there's been another important discovery in the ongoing investigation: people started the puzzle a couple of steps late.

This all started when players realized spider webs appear on certain telegraph poles at particular times of night. Those poles have the outline of an arachnid on them, leading you to other clues on a bizarre and elusive quest that remains ongoing.

As part of this elaborate jigsaw, it's been uncovered that those poles aren't actually the first pieces. Instead, as YouTuber Strange Man explains below, you're meant to start towards the eastern side of the map, at Butcher's Creek. There, a pentagram shows up between the hours of 4am and 6am, sending you to five outhouses, where you gradually get signposted to the webbed poles.

You may like

• Red Dead Redemption 2 players discover new easter egg after 7 years, and they're trying to figure it out before GTA 6
• Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild"
• New Red Dead Redemption 2 mystery takes ominous turn with a previously unnoticed mountain carving

I Found the ACTUAL Starting Point of the Spider Web Mystery (RDR2) - YouTube Watch On

It's all very convoluted and strange. As it stands, this leads toward mountainside question marks, and the shape of a reverse question mark on the world map, and a pair of telegraph machines. But that's where the trail goes cold, yet again.

We still don't know where this is all leading. Wherever it's going has lay, waiting for someone to find, for seven whole years. Literally since Red Dead Redemption 2 first released. Even former Rockstar employees weren’t sure if anyone would manage to figure this all out.

The goal remains to get to the end here before GTA 6 arrives. That certainly seems plausible, but who knows how nebulous this truly is. At this rate, moving in the right direction is an accomplishment in itself.

Red Dead Redemption 2 fan tests Rockstar's historical accuracy by conducting a literal census in the open-world game, concludes it's "a pretty amazing representation" of the era.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Rockstar Games CATEGORIES PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Platforms PlayStation Xbox Anthony McGlynnSocial Links NavigationContributing Writer

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and games journalist, now based in Glasgow. He previously served as Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, on top of providing work for Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and many more. Besides Studio Ghibli, horror movies, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and pro-wrestling. He interviewed Animal once, not that he won’t stop going on about it or anything.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Red Dead Redemption 2 players discover new easter egg after 7 years, and they're trying to figure it out before GTA 6    Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild"    New Red Dead Redemption 2 mystery takes ominous turn with a previously unnoticed mountain carving    After 15 years, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser reveals the meaning behind Red Dead Redemption's Strange Man: "He's a manifestation of your shadow, your karma, the devil"    Red Dead Redemption 2 fan tests historical accuracy, finds it's "a pretty amazing representation" of the era    Arc Raiders Hidden Bunker map puzzle feels like the Mount Chiliad mystery all over again, and players are breaking the laws of physics to solve it: "I found a non-corporeal wall on accident and fell out of the map"    Latest in Red Dead Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild"    New Red Dead Redemption 2 mystery takes ominous turn with a previously unnoticed mountain carving    Red Dead Redemption 2 players discover new easter egg after 7 years, and they're trying to figure it out before GTA 6    Red Dead Redemption 2 fan tests historical accuracy, finds it's "a pretty amazing representation" of the era    Red Dead Redemption 2 is "slightly more novelistic" than GTA 5 because Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser "binged on Victorian novels" for inspiration    Red Dead Redemption's free Xbox Series X upgrade is currently broken with fans baffled after being asked to buy the whole game again, but Rockstar is "working with Microsoft to resolve it"    Latest in News The scrapped Jon Snow Game of Thrones spin-off is reportedly back in development, this time involving Arya Stark    Mario's new voice actor has "unbelievable respect" for 32-year icon Charles Martinet    Resident Evil Requiem producer says "Leon's counterpart" Grace is easily scared, but the game's stalker is worth fearing    Red Dead Redemption 2 players almost solved a puzzle hidden for 7 years before finding they missed the actual start    "The highest PvE damage output of any weapon" in Arc Raiders was from the Bettina, and that was before its buff    Sony seemingly bans the fourth-biggest publisher on the PlayStation Store, deleting over 1,000 Trophy slop games    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for
2. 2Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based combat evolves Metaphor ReFantazio's hybrid battles, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
3. 3This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
4. 4Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
5. 5Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"

1. 128 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
2. 2Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
3. 3Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
4. 4Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
5. 5Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"

1. 1Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
2. 2A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
3. 3Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
4. 4Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
5. 5Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"