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How to Become a Master Smuggler in Starfield: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to be a space pirate, eh? Living outside the law, reaping the rewards of illicit trade, and sticking it to the man (or corporation)? Smuggling in Starfield is your ticket to the high life, filled with danger, intrigue, and, most importantly, credits. The core process involves acquiring contraband, concealing it from planetary scans, and finding vendors willing to turn a blind eye – for a hefty price, of course. Here’s your step-by-step guide to becoming a master smuggler in Starfield.

The Three Pillars of Smuggling: Gear, Skills, and Location

At its core, successfully smuggling contraband relies on three key elements:

Equipping Your Ship for Stealth: This is the most crucial step. You’ll need a ship equipped with a Shielded Cargo Hold and a Scan Jammer. The Shielded Cargo Hold reduces the chance of contraband being detected during scans, while the Scan Jammer further decreases that risk. The higher the percentage displayed on these components, the better your chances of success.
Honing Your Deception Skills: The ‘Deception’ skill in the Social skill tree directly affects your ability to evade detection during scans. Ranking up this skill significantly lowers the probability of being caught with contraband.
Knowing Where to Go: Not all vendors are created equal. Some are happy to trade in the gray areas of the law, while others are strictly by the book. Knowing the locations of reliable vendors who won’t ask too many questions is vital for laundering your ill-gotten gains.

Getting the Right Gear: Shielded Cargo and Scan Jammers

The most critical part of your smuggling operation is your ship. You need two key components:

Shielded Cargo Hold: This allows you to hide your contraband from scanners. You don’t manually place the items, any contraband in your inventory will automatically be placed in this section of the ship. The higher the shielding percentage, the better chance you have of getting past security checkpoints.
Scan Jammer: This further decreases the chances of being caught. Look for Scan Jammers that offer a higher percentage of scan evasion.

You can purchase these upgrades at various Ship Services Technicians, but those operating within legitimate faction territories will likely not offer such “specialized” equipment. Consider visiting more neutral or less reputable star systems to find vendors selling these modifications. A good starting point is the Key station, home of the Crimson Fleet (if you’re willing to join them, or at least not hostile towards them).

Leveling Up the Deception Skill

Navigate to the Social skill tree and invest points into the ‘Deception’ skill. Each rank of the skill will make it harder for security to scan your ship and discover any contraband. This skill also improves your ability to persuade others in dialogue situations, offering alternative solutions to conflict.

Finding the Right Buyers: Contraband Vendors and Locations

Not every vendor is willing to buy stolen goods. You need to locate places that cater to a more… relaxed code of ethics.

The Den (Wolf System): This is an excellent early-game location. The Den is a space station in the Wolf System, conveniently located near the Alpha Centauri System (where New Atlantis is). What makes this place so popular, is that your ship is never scanned upon docking. It has both a Trade Authority kiosk and a store.
Trade Authority Kiosks: These are scattered throughout the galaxy, and are often your best bet. While many Trade Authority branches are in heavily secured cities with active scanners, certain less savory branches, or those operating on the fringes of civilized space, will readily accept contraband.
Crimson Fleet Faction (The Key): Joining the Crimson Fleet provides access to numerous vendors who will happily purchase contraband. The Key is the main base of the Crimson Fleet and provides a place to upgrade your ship with specialized parts.
Neon: There is a storage closet in the police station on Neon that has an unlocked contraband chest that has respawning loot.

Advanced Smuggling Techniques

Beyond the basics, seasoned smugglers employ a few tricks to increase their success rate:

The “Planet Stash” Trick: If you’re really paranoid about getting scanned, land on a nearby planet or moon, find a container, stash your contraband in it, take off to get scanned, then land again and reclaim your goods.
Prioritize Low-Security Routes: Avoid flying directly into major city hubs. Take detours, warp to less populated systems, and approach your destination from an unexpected angle.
The Art of Persuasion: Even with the best gear and skills, there’s still a chance of getting caught. Having high persuasion skills can allow you to talk your way out of a sticky situation with security personnel. Save before entering a system where you expect to be scanned.
Ship Design: Keep your ship’s profile low. A sleek, fast ship is less likely to attract attention than a hulking freighter.
Know the Factions: Understand the political climate of each system. Some factions are more tolerant of smuggling than others.

Is Smuggling Worth the Risk?

Absolutely. Smuggling can be an extremely lucrative career path in Starfield. Some contraband can sell for tens of thousands of credits per unit. The risks are high, but the rewards are even higher. It also provides an exciting and engaging gameplay loop that adds depth to the Starfield experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What exactly constitutes “contraband” in Starfield?

Contraband items are illegal goods, marked with a yellow icon in your inventory. Examples include Aurora, Black Market Antiquities, Harvested Organs, Mech Components, Sentient AI Adapters, Stolen Artwork, Va’Ruun Heretic Writings, and Xenowarfare Tech.
How do I acquire contraband?

You can find contraband by exploring dangerous locations, looting from enemies (especially pirates), and completing certain missions, especially those associated with the Crimson Fleet. It’s often found in containers marked as “Contraband Chests.”
What’s the difference between stolen goods and contraband?

Stolen items have a red icon, while contraband has a yellow icon. Stolen items are typically items you’ve taken from restricted areas or NPCs, while contraband are items that are inherently illegal to possess.
How does the scan system work?

When you enter the orbit of a planet with a significant security presence, your ship will be scanned. The game will calculate the probability of detecting contraband based on your ship’s Shielded Cargo, Scan Jammer, and your Deception skill. A percentage will be displayed, indicating the likelihood of detection.
Can I manually move contraband into my Shielded Cargo Hold?

No, the process is automatic. As long as you have a Shielded Cargo Hold installed, any contraband in your inventory will automatically be placed there when you board your ship.
What happens if I get caught with contraband?

If you are caught with contraband, you’ll typically face a fine, confiscation of the contraband, and potentially arrest. You may be able to bribe your way out of the situation if you have high persuasion skills.
Is there a best ship for smuggling?

The Razorleaf is a great early-game option, rewarded through the ‘Mantis’ questline. Other ships can be customized with the necessary upgrades. The best ship is ultimately one that offers a good balance of cargo capacity, shielding, and maneuverability.
Where can I find Ship Services Technicians who sell Shielded Cargo Holds and Scan Jammers?

Look for Ship Services Technicians in systems with less strict law enforcement, such as those controlled by the Crimson Fleet or in more remote settlements.
Does the size of my ship affect my chances of getting scanned?

There is some indication that larger ships are easier to detect, but the most important factors are still the Shielded Cargo, Scan Jammer, and Deception skill.
Can I join the Crimson Fleet even if I’m already a member of another faction?

Yes, you can join the Crimson Fleet regardless of your affiliation with other factions. However, your actions with other factions may affect your standing with the Crimson Fleet.
Are there any missions specifically related to smuggling?

Yes, the Crimson Fleet faction questline is heavily focused on smuggling and illicit activities.
Does contraband respawn in certain locations?

Yes, some containers with contraband loot will respawn over time. The storage closet in the police station on Neon, is one such location.
How important is the Commerce skill for selling contraband?

The Commerce skill is always beneficial for getting better prices when selling anything, including contraband.
Can I store contraband in my ship’s Captain’s Locker or other storage containers on my ship?

While you can store contraband in regular storage containers, it won’t be protected from scans. Only the Shielded Cargo Hold provides protection.
Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Starfield and its impact on learning?

For those interested in learning more about the mechanics of games like Starfield and their broader implications for learning, the Games Learning Society is a valuable resource. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org or https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more information and research.

Final Thoughts

Smuggling in Starfield offers a unique blend of risk and reward, providing an engaging and profitable gameplay experience. By equipping your ship with the right gear, honing your skills, and knowing where to find the right buyers, you can become a master smuggler and carve out a lucrative career in the vast expanse of space. Now go get rich!

How do I smuggle contraband in Starfield?