John Cassidy

John Cassidy is a middle-aged man with deep wrinkles along his face. While suffering from heart problems, arthritis, possible stomach ulcers, he is quite possibly the best marksman the Chosen One can expect to have. He is the owner of The Spitoon, a bar on the outskirts of Vault City. When the Chosen One arrives he complains about problems with Vault City guards. If convinced to leave Vault City, Cassidy will provide fire support and not hesitate to share his opinion quite publically, especially about Myron (whom he wants to relieve of the burden of his life) and K-9.

If the Chosen One is a Slaver or Childkiller, or a karma of -101 or below, Cassidy will not join him. He won't leave if Chosen One gain these perks or lower his karma after Cassidy has joined, though. Quote: "Naw, I don't travel with slavers. They have a nasty habit o' selling you when they get low on cash. No offense."

Cassidy and his chronic heart disease

 * Cassidy suffers from rhythm and conduction disorder - some kind of block; he explains to the Chosen One that he needs "cardio booster shots to keep [his] heart beating"; he needs a cardiostimulator in fact. When treated with psycho, buffout or jet, Cassidy suffers a heart attack and dies instantly, so it would appear that steroids and amphetamine derivatives are particularly harmful for him (it is unknown what psycho consists of).

Cassidy needs real medical care and Vault City is the only place to get it. Unfortunately, as with any other outworlder, he is not allowed to receive it. Of course, like everybody he can pay for ancient and partially damaged Auto-Doc services at Courtyard clinic, but basic treatment (healing wounds) is not enough, and more advanced procedures are prohibitively expensive.

If the Chosen One can convince Cassidy to leave Vault City ,then the only problem is Cassidy's drug intolerance. He experesses some doubts when Chosen One treats him with other drugs and consumables (stimpaks, alcohol, Nuka-Cola etc.) but they are perfectly safe.("*Hic* Heh-heh. Nothing like some good ol' firewater to get the blood pumping").

The "heart pills" found in the Westin's Ranch in NCR have no effect on Cassidy and are unrelated (though he claims that he 'feels' better immediately after taking one, he still regularly complains of problems).

Talking about his skills
He declares that he is skilled with shotguns and rifles mostly (personal preference, he is equipped with sawed-off shotgun), and is a pretty good shot with pistols, too. He can also use brass knuckles and spears - he claims that he used to hunt with a spear, but is a little ashamed that it makes him sound like a tribal. He's an excellent shot, especially if you equip him with the M72 Gauss Rifle later on. He can also be equipped with the Solar Scorcher and presumably other energy weapons.

Trivia
Cassidy was originally supposed to have a Talking Head but this was cut halfway during production. In the Fallout 2 Restoration Project mod his talking head is returned but has no voice as production on it was cut before the voice actor could be cast.

Cassidy claims his father named him after his favorite comic book character; this may refer to Sean Cassidy a.k.a. Banshee or his cousin 'Black Tom Cassidy'; Marvel comic book characters, or to Cassidy the vampire from 'Preacher' published by DC Comics under the imprint Vertigo. Cassidy says that he was a "Mean Sonuvabitch"

He also makes a reference to Final Fantasy VII game, via one of his floating dialogues which says "Wish I had a Limit break"

Statistics
Note: Unarmed will be tagged when Cassidy is equipped with Power Armor, as the strength bonus it confers causes his unarmed skill to be boosted above his small guns.