Starting Arcade Gannon's Quest in Fallout: New Vegas

Arcade Gannon is one of the most intriguing companions in Fallout: New Vegas. His personal quest, "For Auld Lang Syne," offers a deep dive into his backstory and the remnants of the Old World. However, unlocking this quest isn't as straightforward as just talking to him. It requires building a relationship with Arcade, making the right decisions, and exploring specific locations across the Mojave Wasteland. Here's a detailed guide on how to start Arcade Gannon's quest.

Step 1: Recruiting Arcade Gannon

Before you can start his quest, you need to recruit Arcade Gannon as a companion. Arcade can be found in the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. He’s a doctor working with the Followers of the Apocalypse. Approach him and engage in conversation. If you have a high Charisma or a good Speech skill (35 or higher), you can persuade him to join you. Arcade is particularly interested in helping someone with a strong moral compass, so your character's reputation and dialogue choices throughout the game may influence his decision.

Step 2: Building Trust

Once Arcade is your companion, you need to build trust with him. This is done by taking him along on quests and making choices that align with his values. Arcade is a scientist and dislikes senseless violence, so avoid unnecessary killings, especially of innocents. Engage in conversations with him as you progress through the game, as this will gradually reveal more about his past and his thoughts on the current state of the world. Key locations and dialogue triggers include:

• Helios One: When you visit Helios One, Arcade will discuss the importance of the technology there. Ensure you make decisions that favor the Followers of the Apocalypse or at least don't harm the facility.
• REPCONN Headquarters: Visiting REPCONN with Arcade will trigger dialogue about pre-war technology and its misuse.
• The Fort: When you visit Caesar's Legion's main base, The Fort, Arcade will express his disgust for their methods and ideology.

Step 3: Triggering the Quest

After visiting enough key locations and having enough conversations, Arcade will eventually trust you enough to share his secret. This is when the quest "For Auld Lang Syne" begins. To trigger it:

• Positive Karma: Ensure your Karma is positive. Arcade is more likely to open up to a good character.
• Familiar Locations: Make sure you've visited at least four of the following with Arcade: Silver Rush, REPCONN Headquarters, The Fort, Helios One, Nellis Air Force Base, and the Crashed Vertibird.
• Dialogue Check: After visiting these locations and making morally sound choices, initiate a conversation with Arcade. If you've built enough rapport, he will bring up his past and the quest will start.

Step 4: Completing the Quest

"For Auld Lang Syne" involves recruiting members of the old Enclave Remnants to help the NCR in the final battle of the game. Each member has their own challenges and requires specific actions to convince them to join. The quest culminates in a major battle that significantly impacts the game's ending.

• Morality and Choices: Throughout the quest, your choices will matter. Arcade is not keen on working with the Enclave, so how you handle the situation will determine his fate. You can either convince him to stay and fight or persuade him to leave the Mojave altogether.

Tips and Warnings

• Arcade’s Disposition: If you make too many decisions that Arcade disapproves of, he may leave your party. Keep an eye on his reactions to your actions.
• Save Often: To avoid losing Arcade as a companion or missing out on the quest, save your game frequently before major decisions or when entering key locations.
• Final Battle: If you complete the quest and recruit the Remnants, they will play a significant role in the final battle, providing powerful assistance against the game's final enemies.

Arcade Gannon's quest is one of the most rewarding in Fallout: New Vegas, providing deep lore, challenging decisions, and significant consequences for the game's ending. Follow this guide to ensure you unlock and complete "For Auld Lang Syne" with the best possible outcome.