Smuggler
Template:RoleInfobox Smugglers are similar to traders except that they sell goods where it is illegal, on the black market. Smugglers have to use stealth, cunning, and special equipment to outwit the Police and sometimes military authorities, especially around stations, to sell their goods at a profit while escaping fines and a criminal record. Smugglers can also be a special case of couriers, where the player is asked to transport forbidden items.
When dealing in stolen items looted from wrecks or from piracy, smuggling is also essential as cargo is tagged and detection of stolen goods on a ship will carry consequences as well. For this reason, most pirates are also typically skilled in smuggling items into stations.
How-to smuggle
Smuggling can be done in three ways, steal illicit cargo, pirate ships or buy goods that is allowed in one system and station, and sell it in another system where it is prohibited.
Buying goods from one system to another is usually between Empire and independent stations using Imperial Slaves, but other goods and commodities are also profitable.
Smuggling as a Player
The goal is simple: enter the station without your hold being scanned by either players or police forces. There are multiple ways to get inside of a station without being scanned, which differ based on pilot skill, ship type, and station. It is far easier to smuggle in a smaller vessel, and larger ships will find the task to be not only difficult without detection, but extremely dangerous to the ship.
- When at an Outpost station:
- Don't expect to be scanned as police forces do not normally hang around these stations. These are the stations that have no docking slot, only pads on their surface. Beware of players that may seek to scan you, but dock as normal.
- When at a Starport station such as the Orbis or Coriolis:
- At maximum range (7.5km) request docking clearance. Approach station from the side with the docking slot, as lined up as possible, and be sure that no large ships will be in your way. Be sure that you don't draw too close during this process.
- Disable all but the following modules: Life Support, Thrusters. Allow your ship to cool below 20% heat if possible. A Heat Sink Launcher aids in this.
- Head towards the docking slot at speed. As soon as possible, engage Silent Running (check keybindings for the key for this). This closes the heat vents on your ship to help hide it, but makes heat build-up inside; this is why we allowed the ship to cool. 'Ship Scan Detected' does not mean the scan was completed. Scanning takes a moment, and if you enter the docking ring or escape before it can be completed, the scan will fail (thus no fine or reputation loss).
- Enter the docking bay, disable silent running, and slow down as quickly as you can. Your shields will be offline, and so any impact can easily cripple or destroy you.
- 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.
Penalties
If the Police finish a scan on the player's ship while it is holding illegal or stolen cargo they will be fined and their reputation with the system's controlling 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.
Notes
- In the vast majority of cases, NPC ships will not be able to finish any scan they've 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 not scannable by anyone once you have touched-down on your pad.