So, Cass better be the best darn companion in the game, because I have done all these stupid quests just to get her to follow me, only to find out that I need a 50 barter/speech. Really? What other companion requires such high skills? Veronica followed me at the drop of a hat, and she was absurd overpowered. For reference, I have a 15Bar/10Speech. I have a suit that gives me +5 to speech when worn, and thats about it. The magazines don't stack, so I'm screwed there, and I'm freaking level 8, with my skills planned out. It would be like level 10 before I could recruit her. Is she that flippin useful? WTH.

So, if anyone has any ideas on how I can raise my speech/barter higher that would be great. Otherwise, I'mma say eff it, and go find a real companion.

if you don't have the perk that gives you +20 for the magazines i don't see how you can do it...
Raise charisma with mentats and partymentats and booze but i believe that's about it ... just come back to her later? She's kind of fun and her quest i found nice.

10 Speech? Are you playing a mute???

Okay, let's think. If you have the Comprehension perk, a Meeting People skill magazine gives 20 Speech for a total of 30. Party Time Mentats gives +5 Charisma which is equivalent to 10 Speech (2 Speech per CH point), that's 40. Add your suit and it's 45; if you go to Mick and Ralph's, you might be lucky enough to buy Naughty Nightwear which gives +10 and you've hit the speech requirement. If not, Mentats should probably stack with Party Time Mentats for another + 2, the helmet from T51 power armor gives +1 CH for another +2, and alcoholic drinks give +1 CH for another +2 and you're there. Moonshine gives +2 CH, unlike other alcohol, which is +4 Speech.

Barter is also governed by charisma, and you get the same bonuses for the same stuff. Since you have 5 more Barter, and if you happen to have a Roving Trader's Hat and Outfit (+5 barter each), you can hit the mark cheaper on Barter.

I must admit that when I picked up Cass on this playthrough I was skeptical about whether I wanted to use her or not (got her about 15-20 hrs in), now after 114 hours of play i just noticed that she has been with me the longest this go around, followed by Dogmeat Rex. I used Arcade Gannon for quite awhile, but sent him back to Freeside after his quest was over. Veronica was with me the shortest, and now I have Raul with me whom I'll finish the game with.

As far as ways to raise speech/barter, all you really need to do is to put a few points into it each time you level up. I have my speech up to 85 now. I don't see much need in having barter that high though.

Cass rocks, even now on my 3rd play through i still check her out

Thanks for the replies, I was unaware that charisma made that much of a difference for the speech skill. (I should probably read the manual sometime eh?) Lets see, I have like a 3 charisma. Basically I was having difficulties with a previous game ( a stealthy sniper build in the darn Repconn downstairs NIghtkin area.) So I built my latest charactor with everything being combat based. Ive raised Survival, Repair (To help offset the quicker weapon deterioration caused by Built to Destroy.) Melee, and Energy Weapons. This is pretty much it. Hence the low skills in other areas. I didn't choose comprehension in favor of more skill points, and experience. (whatever those respective perks are called.)

I just find it frustrating that she is a later-game companion. Veronica is by far the easiest to get, and her along with Boone, and EDE can be found at pretty low levels in-game. Cass seems to be further along (You have to get to Vegas, as well as the skill-point requirements.) Oh well, I guess I'll just have to get crackin on those levels! Thanks again for the replies!

*EDIT* Another reason I have such low skills, is my char build. Im using a Melee/Energy Weapon build, with a focus on repairs and survival (Such a great skill btw. All that healing, for stuff you find everywhere, as opposed to Stimpacks, which are rarer, and more expensive.) I also would like the Pyro perk, which requires a 50 explosive skill. (Why?) so I'm gonna start putting points into that. Not to mention lockpicking, which just hit 25.

Has anyone done the math on how many skill points a level 30 char has?

29 * (10 + 0,5*INT) + 3*15
Educated perk ads 48 points when taken at level 4, which is the first level where it's available
The INT in the formula stands for your NORMAL Intelligence, if you've raised it before you leveld up by e.g. mentats and it hasn't worn of yet this won't effect the amount of skill pioints you can distribute
the 3*15 stands for the Tag skills you choose at the start of the game
5 INT + Educated perk taken at level 4: 29 * (10 + 0,5 * 5) + 48 +3*15 = 455,5

it gets complicated doesn't it? skill points depends on IQ per level, perks, and skill books. if you are into guns, 100 repair skill is nice if you use Anti-materiel rifle. but you can use skill books to reach 100 repair. but Jury Rigging requires a base of 90 repair.

pew pew is one of the most powerful energy weapons but doesn't require a skill check when used. so you won't be penalized when using it. just something to consider with your current build.

true, if you do the math comprehension gives you more skill points then educated taken at level 4
Comprehension: 4*1*14 = 56
Educated: 2*24 = 48

Still you should take educated before comprehension tho, for obvious reasons

Cass in Tribal Raiding Armour or Raider Blastmaster Armour is the best looking campanion in the whole Fallout series! A nice contrast to the bleakness of the Mojave. She`s also pretty good with her weapon and dosen`t get pissed no matter who you side with.