In the expansive Starfield universe, distinguishing between legality and illegality can be quite challenging, particularly when it comes to illicit items such as contraband. Fortunately, you can easily differentiate between stolen items and contraband in your inventory; the former is indicated by a small red marker, while the latter is marked in yellow.
Whether you find yourself in the depths of space or bustling locations like New Atlantis and Neon, possessing illegal items can either bring you considerable wealth or lead to incarceration. In this guide, we will dive into the art of trading contraband in Starfield, offering valuable tips and strategies to help you evade detection by law enforcement in space.
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How to Sell Contraband
- Understand the Motivation: The allure of engaging in illegal activities may be enticing, but the ultimate reward for smuggling contraband in Starfield is the valuable credits you can earn by selling it.
- Selective Venues: Contraband isn’t something you can peddle just anywhere in the galaxy. Many vendors steer clear of dealing in illegal goods. However, there is a shining exception — the Trade Authority. They are more than willing to take contraband off your hands, and they often have a deeper stash of credits compared to most other vendors.
- Look for Trade Authority Kiosks: The Trade Authority operates across Starfield, and you’ll usually find their yellow kiosks at nearly every settlement that boasts a spaceport. These kiosks are your go-to spots for offloading your illicit cargo.
- Seek Out Full Trade Authority Storefronts: While Trade Authority kiosks are common, full-fledged Trade Authority storefronts are a bit scarcer. However, they offer a more extensive range of services and are often found in specific locations:
- Cydonia on Mars (Sol System): You’ll discover a Trade Authority storefront in Cydonia, on the red planet Mars. It’s a reputable spot for conducting contraband transactions.
- Neon on Volii II (Volii System): For those looking for a flashy, high-stakes option, Neon on Volii II in the Volii system hosts a prominent Trade Authority storefront. It’s an ideal choice if you’re seeking big payouts for your illegal wares.
In summary, the Trade Authority is your best bet when it comes to selling contraband in Starfield. Keep an eye out for their yellow kiosks in settlements with spaceports, and if you’re near Mars or Volii II, explore their full storefronts for potentially lucrative deals. Remember, while the thrill of illicit activities can be tempting, success in the contraband trade relies on savvy choices and knowing where to find the right buyers.
Patrolled Areas
- The Unwanted Encounter: When your ship enters a patrolled area and gets scanned, the authorities will want to board your vessel. While you can choose to resist and fight to the bitter end, much like when you’re caught stealing, it’s not a very wise option.
- The Consequences of Cooperation: If you decide to allow them to board, prepare for some unwelcome outcomes. They’ll not only confiscate your contraband but also seize any stolen loot marked with that red emblem. Here are your choices:
- Pay the Fine: You can choose to pay a fine, and in return, your contraband will be taken away from you. This can be a costly way out.
- Serve Jail Time: Alternatively, you can opt to serve a jail sentence. Unfortunately, this will result in a loss of experience points (XP). For example, possessing a single canister of Aurora led to a seven-day prison stay and a deduction of 1,000 XP, akin to the consequences of having a bounty on your head.
How to Smuggle Contraband Through Patrolled Areas
- Mastering Deception: If you’re keen on smuggling goods without getting caught, consider investing in the Deception skill, found in the second tier of the social skill tree. This skill reduces your ship’s vulnerability to contraband scans, lowering your risk of detection. At rank one, it reduces the risk by 10%, and at rank four, it provides a 50% reduction in risk.
- Upgrade Your Ship: Upgrading your ship can also help you evade scanners. However, there’s a catch: you must store your contraband in your cargo hold, not your inventory, for this strategy to be effective. Cargo holds like the “100CM Ballast Shielded Cargo Hold” offer ample shielded cargo space (160 mass) for this purpose.
- Consider a Scan Jammer: Another option is to purchase a scan jammer, which increases your chances of evading cargo ship scans by a set percentage.
- Be Cautious with Your Stash: Remember, the more contraband you carry, the higher the risk of getting caught, even with shielded cargo. So, exercise caution when attempting to transport a substantial quantity of contraband through patrolled areas.
We hope you have now a better understanding on how to sell contraband in Starfield ! If you liked this guide, make sure to check out our other Starfield Articles!
