Smuggler: Difference between revisions

| suggestedships    = [[Hauler]]; [[Adder]]; [[Cobra MkIII]]; [[Asp Explorer]]; [[Python]]; [[Keelback]]; [[Krait MkII]]; [[Type-10 Defender]]

| suggestedupgrades = [[Heatsink Launcher]]; [[Power Plant]]; [[Thrusters]]; [[Cargo Rack]]; [[Passenger Cabin]]

'''Smugglers''' are similar to [[trader]]s except that they sell goods where it is illegal, on the [[Black Market|black market]]. Smugglers have to use stealth, cunning, and special equipment to outwit the Police and sometimes military authorities, especially around [[station]]s, to sell their [[goods]] at a profit while escaping fines and a criminal record. Smugglers can also be a special case of [[courier]]s, where the player is asked to transport forbidden items.

When dealing in stolen items looted from wrecks or from piracy, smuggling is also necessary as cargo is tagged and detection of stolen goods on a ship will carry consequences as well. For this reason, most [[pirate]]s are also typically skilled in smuggling items into stations.

== What to smuggle ==

Smuggling usually involves the sale of two types of commodities: illegal commodities, which are prohibited in certain systems and stations by the laws of a specific minor faction, and stolen commodities, which have been tagged as having been criminally obtained from their legitimate owners. These commodities can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as salvaging wrecks, raiding [[Settlement]]s, pirating other ships, or even simply purchasing them from stations where they are not considered contraband. One commodity that is popular among smugglers is [[Imperial Slaves]], which can be purchased legally from stations under [[Empire|Imperial]] control, but are illegal in most other systems and can be sold on the black market for a decent profit.

Smugglers can also accept passenger contracts to illegally transport wanted criminals or other secretive individuals to locations where authorities are seeking them. Smuggling passengers has little practical difference from smuggling commodities other than the module used: commodities must be transported with [[Cargo Rack]]s, and passengers must be transported with [[Passenger Cabin]]s.

==Smuggling methods==

===Docking at Outposts and Planetary Ports===

Smuggling to outposts and planets is significantly riskier than smuggling to [[Starport|starports]]. When landing at an outpost, or on a planet, you do not have a mail-slot that stops your scan. To be un-scannable in these situations you must land and retract your ship underground. Outposts in general have low occurrences of patrol ships. If there are patrol ships, enter supercruise fly a little bit then return the chances are the patrol ships will have left the area. Planetary landings usually come supplied with patrol ships flying around the surface near the space port. The number will depend on the Security rating of the system you are in.

===Docking at Starports===

A sufficiently-skilled pilot is able to accomplish the task of entering the station without any special preparations, by requesting docking at a distance and then entering the station at considerable speed. This method is, when performed by a skilled pilot, by far the fastest and most likely to succeed, but carries the highest consequence when failed: impact with the station and immediate destruction.

Smuggling is a [[Crime & Punishment|crime]] that incurs penalties if the smuggler is caught. If [[System Authority Vessel]]s finish a scan on the player's ship while it is holding [[Illegal Goods|illegal]] or [[Stolen Goods|stolen]] cargo they will be [[fine]]d and their reputation with the [[star system]]'s controlling [[Factions|faction]] will drop. It is recommended to not smuggle in systems where the controlling faction is one that you want to continue to be friendly with.

If a pilot is caught transporting wanted criminals, the penalty is very severe. Being scanned with a criminal onboard incurs an immediate [[bounty]]; if the pilot is inside a [[Starport]] or [[Asteroid Base]] and not docked at the time a bounty is placed, the station's defence turrets will fire upon their ship.

* In the vast majority of cases, NPC ships will not be able to finish any scan they have started once you are inside of the docking ring, however, players can continue to scan you through the station if they so choose. It is also important to note that once landed and have entered the hangar, you are safe. You are scannable when you have touched-down on your pad, but not once you "enter hangar/go down".

==See also==