Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle

"Back in the Saddle" is a main quest in Fallout: New Vegas that begins after you leave Doc Mitchell's house in Goodsprings. Your primary goal is to speak with Sunny Smiles at the Prospector Saloon to gather information and learn survival skills. This quest introduces you to combat basics and offers opportunities to explore Goodsprings.

Upon returning to Goodsprings, head to the Prospector Saloon, located north-east across the road from Doc Mitchell's house. Inside, speak with Sunny Smiles. Ask her about getting to Primm to receive a map marker and advice. If you inquire about work, she will mention a safe in an old schoolhouse, providing you with a Locksmith's Reader magazine, three Bobby Pins, and the Goodsprings Schoolhouse Safe note. You can also obtain the map marker for Sloan and learn about the conflict between the NCR and Caesar's Legion by continuing the conversation.

To progress the quest, ask Sunny Smiles to teach you survival skills. She will agree to meet you behind the saloon. Follow her, and she will give you a Varmint Rifle and 30 rounds of 5.56 ammo. She will then instruct you to shoot bottles to practice aiming (L1/L2) and shooting (R1/R2), and crouching (Left Analog Stick) to stabilize shots, and reloading (Square/X). After demonstrating basic competence, she will invite you to help clear Geckos from the water supply. You can end the tutorial here, or follow her to learn the location of the springs, which is a source of water in Hardcore Mode and healing in any mode.

While in Goodsprings, you can explore the schoolhouse. Inside, dispatch five Giant Mantis Nymphs. In the south-western corner, you'll find an [Easy] safe and an [Easy] terminal. Hacking the terminal unlocks the safe, but you can hack the terminal and then leave without unlocking the safe to maximize XP gain.