Fallout : New Vegas random encounters " Fallout : New Vegas " random encounters . The encounters in " New Vegas " are different from previous " Fallout " games , the handful of encounters being scripted encounters and not a random encounter from a pool being initiated in predetermined spots in the Wasteland . Several of these Random encounters can be replaced by the Wild Wasteland trait . Most notable of these encounters being the three alien surveyors past the ranch near a hovering alien ship , or the three old ladies with rolling pins in Freeside by Cerulean Robotics where the sexbot Fisto is located . Powder Ganger Event . Potential to be encountered anywhere , as long as you have bad reputation with the Powder Gangers , a random Powder Ganger will appear and initiate a conversation , then turn hostile and attack you . If you have cleared out the NCR Correctional Facility , three Powder Gangers show up South of Primm , over the hill from the water tower , North of the Nevada Highway Patrol station . They are always hostile , though sometimes will initiate a conversation and say that they are getting revenge . They respawn every 3 game days . This event can also occur with three Powder Gangers even if the NCR Correctional Facility isn ' t cleared out . Sunset Sarsaparilla Star Bottle Cap . After obtaining your first Star Bottle Cap , a roaming trader named Malcolm Holmes will start to follow you from an unknown location . Once he reaches the player , he will converse with them about the caps . He will also start the quest The Legend of the Star if the player asks him to go into more detail concerning the caps . The player can learn more information from Holmes or leave him be . If the player chooses to attack Malcolm Holmes , he will retaliate , but will die quite easily . Looting the body , the player will find several items including four to seven Sunset Star Bottle Caps . You can pickpocket the Sunset Star Bottle Caps off of him as an alternative . NCR Rangers . While traveling the Mojave Wasteland with a negative reputation with the NCR , 2 - 3 will appear , telling you to change your reputation with them for the better within three days , or else they ' ll attack you " without the pleasant conversation . " If you don ' t listen to him / her , they ' ll come back and shoot on sight . Most of the time there will be an NCR ranger with an anti - materiel rifle on them and the NCR Ranger combat armor . If the player is a high enough level , one of the rangers will be an NCR Veteran Ranger . Legion assassins . If you have a bad rep with Caesar ' s Legion while traveling the wasteland , you will be approached by two Legionary assassin s who will initiate conversation and then become hostile . Unlike the NCR Rangers , they will not give you any time to improve your reputation with Caesar and attempt to murder you on the spot . Kings Gang Member . If you have a good reputation with Freeside , you may be approached by a Kings gang member when walking around Freeside . They will praise your efforts and then give you a random item , such as , , or . Jackal Gang Members . Four Jackal gang member s will start running in a straight line and will not interact with the player . They appear to be running from a that is chasing them . Emergency Radio . If you have a positive reputation with the NCR , a ranger may run up to you and give you a NCR emergency radio which can give you the repeatable quest Emergency Radio . Caesar ' s Favor . If you have a positive reputation with Caesar ' s Legion , a disguised Frumentarius may run up to you and give you the quest Caesar ' s Favor . Caesar ' s Hire . If you have a mixed reputation with the Legion , a disguised Frumentarius may run up to you and give you the quest Caesar ' s Hire . Overpass Merchants . North - east of the Wolfhorn ranch , two traveling merchant s , plus a pack and two , will randomly spawn on an overpass bridge should the player approach it from the west . They will try to reach Novac as the Legion ambushes them , if they defeat the Legion , they will reach Novac and from then on make regular stops at the town .