Clearing Your Name in Elite Dangerous: A Commander’s Guide to Bounties
So, you’ve accrued a bounty in Elite Dangerous. Don’t panic, Commander! While having a price on your head can be inconvenient (and potentially lethal), it’s usually easily resolved. Here’s the direct answer to getting rid of that pesky bounty: Head to a station controlled by an Interstellar Factors contact, typically found in Low Security Systems, and pay it off, provided your Notoriety is at zero. Expect to pay a 25% premium on top of the original bounty amount for the service. But there’s more to it than that. Let’s delve into the intricacies of bounties in Elite Dangerous.
Understanding Bounties in Elite Dangerous
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s establish the “what” and “why.” A bounty is essentially a price placed on your head by a specific faction within the Elite Dangerous universe. This usually happens when you commit a crime, such as attacking a ship belonging to that faction or violating local laws within their controlled space. The severity of the crime dictates the size of the bounty. Having a bounty makes you a legal target for bounty hunters and security forces within the issuing faction’s jurisdiction.
What Determines a Bounty?
Several actions can lead to a bounty being placed on your ship:
- Attacking or destroying ships belonging to a faction without being legally sanctioned (e.g., through a Combat Zone or a Massacre Mission).
- Illegally trading in prohibited goods.
- Smuggling.
- Piracy.
- Disobeying local laws within a system, such as firing weapons in a no-fire zone or loitering near a station.
The Impact of Notoriety
Notoriety is a crucial factor in the bounty-clearing process. It represents your overall criminal standing in the galaxy. Committing crimes increases your Notoriety, and it slowly decreases over time. The crucial part is that you cannot pay off a bounty while you have any Notoriety. You can check your Notoriety level in the Right Menu > Status > Statistics, scroll down to find the Crime Section. If it is more than 0, you need to wait for a certain time before you can clear your bounty. This time will depend on your Notoriety level.
Steps to Clear Your Bounty
- Assess Your Situation: Check the size of your bounty and the issuing faction. This information is displayed in your Ship’s Status Panel. Also, verify your Notoriety.
- Find an Interstellar Factors Contact: These contacts are your key to clearing your bounty. They are usually found in Low Security Systems. Use the Galaxy Map and filter by Government or Economy to locate suitable systems. Look for systems with Anarchy or Dictatorship governments, as these are more likely to host Interstellar Factors.
- Plot Your Course: Once you’ve identified a system with an Interstellar Factors contact, plot a course and travel to it. Be aware that you’ll be a target for security forces within the jurisdiction where you have the bounty. Consider using a ship with good speed and maneuverability to evade interdictions.
- Dock at the Station: After arriving at the system, locate the station hosting the Interstellar Factors contact. Look for the appropriate contact in the station services menu.
- Pay the Bounty: Select the option to pay off your bounty. Remember that you’ll pay a 25% premium on top of the original amount.
- Enjoy Your Clean Slate: Once the payment is processed, your bounty is cleared! You can now travel freely within the issuing faction’s territory without fear of being targeted.
Alternatives and Considerations
- Waiting it Out: If your bounty is relatively small and you’re patient, you can simply wait for it to expire. Bounties eventually expire, but the length of time varies depending on the bounty’s size and the issuing faction’s laws.
- Getting Arrested: Another option is to intentionally get arrested within the jurisdiction where you have the bounty. When your ship is destroyed, you are sent to a Detention Center.
- Death and Rebuy: Destroying your ship and rebuying it does not clear your bounties.
- Fines vs. Bounties: It’s important to distinguish between fines and bounties. Fines are smaller penalties for minor infractions, while bounties are more serious and usually result from criminal activity. Fines can be paid off at any station controlled by the issuing faction.
Related FAQs
1. What are Interstellar Factors?
Interstellar Factors are neutral organizations that provide various services to commanders, including paying off bounties and fines, redeeming bounty vouchers, and selling illicit goods.
2. How do I find Interstellar Factors?
Use the Galaxy Map and filter by Government and Economy. Look for Low Security Systems, especially those with Anarchy or Dictatorship governments. You can also use third-party tools and websites to locate Interstellar Factors contacts.
3. What happens if I’m interdicted while having a bounty?
If you’re interdicted by security forces or bounty hunters while having a bounty, they will likely attack you. Your best bet is to evade the interdiction and escape to a safe system.
4. Can I pay off a bounty in any system?
No, you can only pay off a bounty at a station controlled by an Interstellar Factors contact, provided your Notoriety is zero.
5. Do bounties affect my reputation?
Yes, having a bounty can negatively affect your reputation with the issuing faction.
6. How long does it take for a bounty to expire?
The duration for a bounty to expire varies depending on the bounty’s size and the issuing faction’s laws. Smaller bounties typically expire faster than larger ones.
7. What’s the difference between a legacy fine and a bounty?
Legacy Fines are older fines that can only be paid at a station controlled by the faction that issued the original fine. Bounties are a price on your head, making you a target for bounty hunters and security forces.
8. Can I remove a legacy fine by destroying my ship?
No, destroying your ship does not clear legacy fines. They must be paid off at a station controlled by the issuing faction.
9. What are the best ships for evading interdictions?
Ships with good speed and maneuverability, such as the Eagle, Viper, and Cobra, are ideal for evading interdictions. Employing Chaff Launchers and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) can also help.
10. How does notoriety decrease?
Notoriety decreases passively over time. The higher your notoriety, the longer it takes to decrease.
11. Can I pay off someone else’s bounty?
No, you can only pay off your own bounty.
12. What happens if I try to dock at a station where I have a bounty?
Security forces may scan your ship and prevent you from docking. If you manage to dock, you may be arrested.
13. Are there any advantages to having a bounty?
There are no real advantages to having a bounty, besides providing a potentially thrilling experience.
14. Can I get banned in Elite Dangerous for accumulating too many bounties?
While accumulating bounties alone won’t get you banned, consistently engaging in criminal activities and exploiting game mechanics could potentially lead to a ban.
15. What is the most profitable activity in Elite Dangerous besides bounty hunting?
Other profitable activities include mining, trade routes, and passenger missions. For more information on game-based learning aspects, check out Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Clearing your bounty in Elite Dangerous is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the mechanics involved and take the necessary precautions. Fly safe, Commander, and may your bounties be few and far between!