Amid the sprawling plantations and tense campfires of Red Dead Redemption 2, small quests like Pearson's Naval Compass request add layers of depth to the game's rich world. Tracking down this seemingly minor item not only fleshes out the story but rewards you with something unique, showing Rockstar's attention to detail in character interactions.
Poker games at camp aren't just for fun in Red Dead Redemption 2. When you play alongside Simon Pearson between 8 AM and 2 PM during chapters 2 to 4, he might bring up his lost Naval Compass. Arthur offers to find it for him, setting you on a small but memorable side mission. The reward is a bottle of Guarma Rum, a nice touch for the camp's collection.
Let's take a closer look at where to track down this compass and how to complete Pearson's request effectively without missing any steps.
Where to Find the Naval Compass in RDR2
Locating the Naval Compass requires a visit to the Braithwaite Manor, specifically its boathouse. The manor is a sprawling estate south of Rhodes, which can be overwhelming if you're not sure where to look. The boathouse lies to the west of the main mansion, right by the water's edge.
The boathouse is a wooden structure housing a boat inside, and on a table there, the compass awaits. This spot is crucial since the manor covers a large area, and missing this location means wandering the estate aimlessly.
While another Naval Compass can be found locked in Ashton’s stagecoach during the mission "Fatherhood and Other Dreams," the Braithwaite Manor location is much more accessible. For those curious about other side errands, other gang member requests can be tracked via the item requests guide.
How to Trigger Pearson’s Naval Compass Request
Pearson’s request kicks in when you engage him in a game of poker at camp within the time frame of 8 AM to 2 PM during chapters 2, 3, or 4. He’ll eventually mention the lost compass from his naval days, sparking the quest.
Sometimes this conversation doesn’t trigger immediately. You might need to sit next to Pearson during the poker game or even eliminate another player from the table to hear him talk about the compass. However, these actions aren’t guaranteed—they just increase the chance of the dialogue appearing.
Once Pearson opens up about the compass, your job is straightforward: retrieve it and bring it back. Handing it over will earn you that coveted bottle of Guarma Rum.
Why Can’t You Give Pearson the Naval Compass?
A common confusion arises when players grab the Naval Compass before Pearson actually requests it. Having the compass in your inventory won’t activate the quest or dialogue automatically, which can leave you stuck wondering why nothing is happening when you approach Pearson.
The best way to ensure the quest registers is to keep playing poker with Pearson until he initiates the conversation. When the request is active, approach him when he’s not busy with camp duties. Sometimes, Arthur can deliver the compass without any extra dialogue popping up. It might seem like a lot of effort just for some rum, but that’s the quirky charm of Red Dead Redemption 2’s camp life.
RDR2
- Release Date
- October 26, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs and Alcohol)
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games