Finding rare trinkets and key crafting materials in Red Dead Redemption 2 often requires exploring out-of-the-way locations across the massive open world. Among these valuable items is the Old Brass Compass, a unique key item needed to craft a powerful talisman. Locating this compass requires completing a specific Stranger quest, making it easy to miss if you are unaware of its requirements.
Prerequisites for Obtaining the Old Brass Compass
Before you can acquire the Old Brass Compass, you must first initiate the Geology for Beginners quest line. This side mission is given by Francis Sinclair, a mysterious man who resides in a cabin northwest of Strawberry. To begin his task, interact with Francis at his home, where he will ask you to locate ten rock carvings scattered across the map.
Finding all ten rock carvings takes time, as they are etched into cliff faces and rock formations throughout various regions. Once you discover and inspect a carving, Arthur must log its coordinates at a post office and mail them to Francis. After mailing the final location, wait a short while until you receive an invitation letter from Francis in your mailbox.
Locating the Old Brass Compass Inside Francis Sinclair's Cabin
Upon receiving the invitation, return to Francis Sinclair's cabin northwest of Strawberry to complete the quest encounter. After the cutscene finishes and you step back outside, you can re-enter the cabin to thoroughly search the living area. The Old Brass Compass sits atop a small wooden table inside the main room.
Be careful not to leave the area permanently without picking up the item, as returning later can sometimes prove tricky. Pick up the compass directly from the table to add it to your satchel's inventory. Once collected, the compass remains permanently in your possession until used for crafting.
Crafting the Raven Claw Talisman
The primary purpose of securing the Old Brass Compass is to craft the Raven Claw Talisman at any Fence location. Take the compass to a Fence along with the required payment to purchase this valuable equipment upgrade. Fences can be found in several major locations, including Saint Denis, Emerald Ranch, Rhodes, and Van Horn Trading Post.
When equipped, the Raven Claw Talisman provides a permanent gameplay benefit to Arthur's survival capabilities. It permanently slows down the degradation rate of all weapon stats by twenty percent. This useful boost means your firearms retain their accuracy and power much longer before needing gun oil maintenance.
Tips for Finding Rock Carvings Efficiently
To speed up the process of unlocking the compass, keep an eye out for unusual rock formations while riding through mountainous terrain. Utilizing Eagle Eye near cliff sides helps highlight interactable objects, making rock carvings easier to spot from a distance. Marking your map whenever you spot a potential location ensures you do not waste time backtracking unnecessarily.
Completing this quest line early in your playthrough allows you to benefit from the Raven Claw Talisman for the majority of the story. Taking the time to hunt down these collectibles provides a great excuse to explore hidden corners of the map. With the Old Brass Compass in hand, weapon maintenance becomes significantly easier to manage throughout your frontier adventures.
