Rose of Sharon Cassidy, commonly known as Cass, is one of the most compelling companions you can recruit in Fallout: New Vegas. Securing her companionship requires completing specific quest lines and carefully managing dialogue options with major wasteland factions. This guide explains how to recruit Cass and successfully navigate her personal companion quest, Heartache by the Number.
Finding and Recruiting Cass at Mojave Outpost
To begin recruiting Cass, travel to the Mojave Outpost located near the southwestern corner of the game map. You will find her drinking inside the bar, feeling stranded due to ruined supply routes and destroyed caravans.
To recruit her as a companion, you must first accept a buyout quest from Alice McLafferty at the Crimson Caravan Company near Freeside. After accepting the task, return to the Mojave Outpost and pass either a Speech or Barter skill check to persuade Cass to sell her caravan rights. Once the transaction is finalized, speak to her again and invite her to travel alongside you across the Mojave.
Investigating the Sacked Caravans
After Cass joins your party, talk with her to initiate her personal companion quest, Heartache by the Number. She will request that you visit the locations where her former supply routes were attacked and destroyed.
Travel with her to inspect the Cassidy Caravans wreckage, the Griffin Wares sacked caravan, and Durable Dunn's caravan site. Examining these destruction sites reveals evidence pointing toward a conspiracy between the Crimson Caravan Company and the Van Graff family.
Choosing Between Peace and Vengeance
Once the evidence is uncovered, you must choose whether to resolve the situation peacefully or through violence. You can convince Cass to collect written proof from safes and submit it to NCR Ranger Jackson at the Mojave Outpost. Choosing this non-violent route rewards Cass with the Calm Heart perk, which grants her a permanent boost to maximum health.
Alternatively, you can assist Cass in taking direct revenge by eliminating Alice McLafferty and Gloria Van Graff. Taking the violent approach earns Cass the Hand of Vengeance perk, which increases her combat damage with firearms.
Important Tips for Quest Management
Be extremely cautious when balancing Cass's quest with other faction storylines in the wasteland. Bringing Cass to the Silver Rush shop while completing the quest Birds of a Feather can result in her permanent death if you follow Jean-Baptiste's orders. Additionally, maintain a positive reputation, because Cass will leave your party if your Karma level drops too low.
