Finding the Mysterious Doctor in the Mojave Wasteland
You are wandering the dusty streets of Freeside, perhaps looking for a way into the New Vegas Strip, or maybe just trying to survive another day in the Mojave. Among the beggars, merchants, and enforcers, you hear rumors of a doctor. Not just any doctor, but one with a past shrouded in the secrets of the old world. His name is Arcade Gannon, and recruiting him is more than just adding another companion to your roster. It is the key to one of the most lore-rich, faction-altering questlines in the entire game: For Auld Lang Syne.
Many players completely miss this opportunity because Arcade does not advertise his unique history. He presents himself as a simple, if somewhat sardonic, member of the Followers of the Apocalypse working at the Old Mormon Fort. Starting his personal quest requires specific triggers, a certain reputation, and a series of conversations that feel more like unlocking a mystery than accepting a standard job. This guide will walk you through the exact steps, prerequisites, and hidden triggers needed to begin Arcade Gannon’s quest and unlock the support of the legendary Enclave remnants.
Prerequisites: Who is Arcade Gannon?
Before you can start his quest, you need to understand who you are recruiting. Arcade Gannon is a companion found in Freeside. He is a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse and works as a doctor at the Old Mormon Fort, the Followers’ base of operations. To even have the option to recruit him, you must first complete the initial quest for the Followers, “That Lucky Old Sun,” which is given by Ignacio Rivas at HELIOS One. Alternatively, having a good reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse can also open doors.
More importantly, Arcade has a hidden past. He is the son of an Enclave officer, and his personal quest involves reconnecting with the scattered remnants of this infamous pre-war organization. The game never forces this story on you; you must seek it out through dialogue and actions.
Step-by-Step: Recruiting Arcade and Triggering the Quest
The process is sequential. You cannot jump straight to the quest dialogue. You must first recruit him as a companion, then build rapport through exploration and combat.
1. Locate and Recruit Arcade Gannon
Travel to Freeside and enter the Old Mormon Fort. You will find Arcade inside the main tent, often standing near a medical station. Speak to him. If you have completed “That Lucky Old Sun” or have a positive Follower reputation, the dialogue option to ask him to join you will appear. He will agree, becoming your companion.
At this stage, he is just a skilled doctor with a plasma defender pistol. His unique quest is still locked.
2. Build His Trust Through Companionship
Arcade’s quest trigger is hidden behind his companion affinity system. You need to raise his “trust” by having him travel with you and witnessing specific actions. The fastest ways to increase his affinity are:
- Travel to locations tied to the Enclave or advanced technology. Visiting the REPCONN test site, HELIOS One, or the Silver Rush can trigger unique comments.
- Engage in diplomatic or intelligent dialogue choices. Solving problems with speech, science, or medicine checks pleases him.
- Help the Followers of the Apocalypse or other charitable groups. Completing quests for the Followers at the Old Mormon Fort is excellent.
- Avoid wanton cruelty and violence against innocents. He dislikes evil actions.
After enough positive affinity has been built, usually after a couple of levels of travel and a few key location visits, Arcade will initiate a private conversation. He will mention he has something important to discuss but not here. This is the first major trigger.
3. The Critical Conversation in a Quiet Place
Once Arcade says he needs to talk, you must find a private, non-public cell to continue. This means going indoors into a building, a cave, or a small shack—anywhere that is not an open-world area like Freeside or the Strip. Good options include your room at the Lucky 38, the Novac motel room, or any interior dwelling.
When you enter such a private area with him as your active companion, he will automatically start the conversation. He will begin to open up about his past, his father, and his connection to the Enclave. He will express his conflicted feelings and mention his old friends, the “Enclave remnants,” who are now scattered and living in hiding around the Mojave.
4. Accepting the Quest “For Auld Lang Syne”
During this private conversation, you will be given dialogue choices. To officially start the quest, you must express interest in meeting these remnants and offer to help Arcade seek them out. Choose options that are supportive and inquisitive about the Enclave.
If you succeed, Arcade will thank you and the quest “For Auld Lang Sy Syne” will be added to your log. The objective will be to locate and speak with the four Enclave remnants he identifies: Orion Moreno, Cannibal Johnson, Dr. Henry, and Daisy Whitman. Your journey to rally the old guard of the wasteland has now formally begun.
Common Triggers and Troubleshooting
If Arcade is not starting the private conversation, even after traveling for a long time, several factors could be at play.
Affinity is Not High Enough
The most common issue. The game does not have a visible meter. Ensure you are doing things he likes. Take him to technology-heavy locations. Complete the quest “Birds of a Feather” for the Followers. Use science and medicine in dialogue. Avoid associating with the Legion, as he despises them.
You Are Missing a Hidden Location Trigger
Some players report that visiting specific locations is a hard requirement. The most consistent trigger location is the REPCONN test site or its basement. Take him there, clear the area, and he should comment on the rockets. After this, the next time you enter a private cell, the conversation should fire.
Companion Quests Can Be Sequence-Sensitive
If you have already progressed very far in the main quest, particularly to the point of “The House Always Wins” or “Wild Card: Side Bets,” some companion quests can become buggy or harder to trigger. It is best to pursue Arcade’s quest in the mid-game, before making major faction commitments at The Strip.
What If I Dismissed Him?
If you dismissed Arcade back to the Old Mormon Fort, his affinity progress is saved. Simply go and re-recruit him. Then, try traveling to a high-tech location like HELIOS One or the REPCONN headquarters before seeking a private place to talk. The triggers should still be in place.
The Strategic Value of the Quest
Starting “For Auld Lang Syne” is not just about lore. It has significant gameplay and ending implications. Successfully completing the quest by convincing all remnants to help you provides a powerful ally for the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. You can secure the support of an Enclave Vertibird and a squad of veteran soldiers in power armor, which can turn the tide of the final battle.
Furthermore, the quest offers unique gear, including the powerful Enclave power armor and the plasma cannon, some of the best equipment in the game. It also deeply enriches the story, giving you a poignant look at the last remnants of a fallen America and Arcade’s personal reconciliation with his heritage.
Alternative Paths and Fail States
Be aware that you can fail this quest before it even properly starts. If your reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse is too low, you may never be able to recruit Arcade. If you become vilified by the Followers, he may even become hostile.
Additionally, if you have already destroyed the Brotherhood of Steel bunker, one of the remnants, Dr. Henry, may refuse to speak to you, potentially blocking the quest’s completion. It is wise to delay destroying the Brotherhood if you plan on undertaking Arcade’s mission.
Your Roadmap to the Enclave
Starting Arcade Gannon’s quest is a deliberate process of building trust with a secretive companion. Begin by aiding the Followers at the Old Mormon Fort. Recruit the thoughtful doctor and take him on a tour of the Mojave’s technological landmarks. Listen for his unique commentary. When he hints at a deeper story, find a quiet room and let him confide in you. Your willingness to listen will unlock a pivotal chapter in the saga of New Vegas.
The key is patience and curiosity. Do not treat Arcade as just another hired gun. Engage with him as a character, make choices he respects, and explore the world’s history together. The quest “For Auld Lang Syne” is your reward—a deeply woven narrative that connects the dots of the wasteland’s past and gives you a formidable edge in shaping its future. Your next step is to leave that private room and ask Arcade, “So, where do we find these friends of yours?” The hunt for the remnants begins.
