u/8Rincewind

I'm very early in New Vegas (Level 6) and really want to unlock Ed-e's ability to repair weapons. Sources online say that I can enter The Divide (thus starting Lonesome Road) and then leave again after getting one of the Eyebot upgrade circuit boards.

Apparently the best story order for the DLCs is Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, then Lonesome Road. Even when people suggest alternative orders, they seem to always finish with Lonesome Road. So after getting Ed-e's repair ability, I probably won't return until much later.

I am not worried about spoilers. The DLC has been out for 15 years now and I already know a lot of what happens. But will starting Lonesome Road and leaving it unfinished for ages mess anything up? Will it prevent me from starting / completing the other DLCs or have any other affect on the game?

I recently restarted New Vegas and just got back to Novac. This time I was trying to recruit Boone as soon as possible, so immediately went to his sniper spot, pick pocketed Jeannie's key, got the bill of sale then took her to be shot. I then spoke to Briscoe, because last time he gave me the key basically immediately after Boone joined me. I assumed the key was a reward for having Jeannie killed. So I reloaded an old save.

However the wiki says if you are "Accepted or higher reputation with Novac, she will give it to them for free. If Jeannie May is killed (either independently or as part of One for My Baby), then Cliff Briscoe will give them the room key."

Does this mean I can recruit Boone and then do Mannie's mission or something and then get the key from Briscoe? What's the quickest way to become Accepted in Novac? I don't want to start the mission about Station Charlie yet, because I want to do the mission of reconnecting the radios first.

As much as I want to recruit Boone, I almost want to motel key more. Being able to become "well rested" ahead of big missions is very helpful. It's also the only place I've found so far where I'm happy leaving spare equipment that I don't want me of companions carrying around.