Smuggling

[Rhaedas]

Or as I prefer the term, Undocumented Resource Redistribution.

I'm still hoping that since we find in stations a main "Black Market" button, which then goes to a solitary button to sell illegal goods, there's more to come for this profession. Aside from some missions and grabbing cargo here and there, there's not really much out there for a smuggling type, certainly not in bulk. I'd love to see the black markets open up to a true market, one that you need to research and know what's wanted in different systems, and what the risk payoff will be. Now I don't see this as something the big haulers will get into, mainly because of the danger of more pirates as well as the authority scans. But for smaller ships, this should be a good profit if they can master the techniques needed.

 

[Yabba Addict]

You and me both

 

[Ben Ryder]

Really looking forwrd to this role being given more attention

 

[Roybe]

I am also waiting for updates to this option of gameplay!

 

[Doctor Axel]

Biggest necessary change would be for black market prices for illegal (NOT STOLEN, JUST ILLEGAL) goods to be sharply increased, to something like 125% - 150% of their local base price. Smaller cargoes, sneakier ships, potentially huge profit margin, but lots of risk (hopefully.) ^^

 

[Marra Morgan]

Yes, a decent mark-up for illegal goods that are in demand would be great.

From what I can tell, this is already in place to a degree. There are profits to be made where illegal goods are in demand, and finding out such routes requires time and risky effort, which I'm fine with. I just wish the profits justified that time, risk and effort!

I really like the recent thing with smaller ships having less chance of being scanned. Smuggling shouldn't be a gig for big freighters. Small n sneaky is more authentic and keeps small ships relevent even when you can afford bigger.

The "marked" cargo idea sounds interesting too. I'm glad they're taking their time thinking that one over.

We're getting there, bit by bit. I'm sure the profession will get the nice things it deserves

 

[Nahkahiiri]

For me smuggling is the deciding factor will I stay in the game or not.

Smuggler-missions, -ranks, -factions, high smuggler rank only stuff, price negotations, smuggler networks, list goes on... just make smuggling meaningful with a proper risk/reward factor.

And yes, smuggling full loads of cargo should be doable with small ships, but how about smuggling some stuff in bigger ship with much bigger load of legal goods? This would mean a smuggling compartment or something which is obtainable only for smuggler rank x or higher... do a legal/illegal mission or two, do trading at a side and some smuggling as well Firefly-style.

 

[dbcher]

For me smuggling is the deciding factor will I stay in the game or not.

Smuggler-missions, -ranks, -factions, high smuggler rank only stuff, price negotations, smuggler networks, list goes on... just make smuggling meaningful with a proper risk/reward factor.

And yes, smuggling full loads of cargo should be doable with small ships, but how about smuggling some stuff in bigger ship with much bigger load of legal goods? This would mean a smuggling compartment or something which is obtainable only for smuggler rank x or higher... do a legal/illegal mission or two, do trading at a side and some smuggling as well Firefly-style.

Yes.... this ^^^^
Firefly anyone??

 

[Ben Ryder]

What's firefly style smuggling? Sounds interesting. Never watched the series... Any good smuggling episodes for some inspiration?

 

[Nahkahiiri]

I recommend watching all the episodes. I'm currently at episode 10...

I'm currently flying around the galaxy taking mostly legal goods which I'll sell at the next stop (with quite random profits). I also carry some illegal stuff as well which is "hidden" from authorities. I would add missions to my menu if they paid a bit more... probably will do some missions for rp sake. Take a hauling mission to where I can also haul something worthselling illegal/legal from/to the mission issuer planet.

It would be more fun if I could see is there a blackmarket in the destination... it isn't fun to fly back and forth with x tons of battle weapons for example.

Currently I flew a python because it has a good cargo space and can sneak in stations well enough without silent running. It can also fight. ASP would probably be my first choice if I could get higher profit from smuggling lower amounts of goods. Or maybe I'll buy an ASP anyway when I get more credits.

 

[chagnampra]

Smuggling people would be intriguing, when passenger missions are introduced. Not slaves, but people who want to avoid authorities, factions, etc... ("Let's just say we would like to avoid any Imperial entanglements...")

This would give a new dimension to smuggling, alongside other things, like weapons, drugs, budgies...

 

[Sandmann]

What's firefly style smuggling? Sounds interesting. Never watched the series... Any good smuggling episodes for some inspiration?

You've NOT WATCHED FIREFLY??? Ben! Please! Do yourself a favour and remedy this IMMEDIATELY! Watch the TV series "Firefly" first (there's only one season) then watch the movie "Serenity".

 

[Ximrats]

You've NOT WATCHED FIREFLY??? Ben! Please! Do yourself a favour and remedy this IMMEDIATELY! Watch the TV series "Firefly" first (there's only one season) then watch the movie "Serenity".

This.


All of this.


You will come back a new man, forever changed.

 

[Ben Ryder]

You've NOT WATCHED FIREFLY??? Ben! Please! Do yourself a favour and remedy this IMMEDIATELY! Watch the TV series "Firefly" first (there's only one season) then watch the movie "Serenity".

Consider it done! I've spread myself fairly thin across Breaking Bad, Gotham, Walking Dead, Dexter, Happy Town, Hannibal, Agents of Shield, American Horror, Cross Bones, Black Sails, Vikings, Almost Human, True Blood, Weeds and a bunch of others films. I think I shall engage super cruise tonight and get in to Firefly (which was the name of my first space ship in Traveller the role playing game)...

 

[Sandmann]

Shiny Ben, have fun in the 'verse.

 

[tttmccloud]

Really looking forwrd to this role being given more attention

+1

Not played the game in 2015, waiting and hoping this gets sorted out before I do.

 

[Ben Ryder]

+1

Not played the game in 2015, waiting and hoping this gets sorted out before I do.

It's getting there but very very slowly... If smuggling is your thing, tehn dont expect to see it in Elite Dangerous for quite some time

 

[Malfahri]

I love smuggling and I keep a Cobra set aside for profitable opportunities. Unfortunately, my federal pension does not cover all of my expenses.

 

[Doctor Axel]

I think another part of smuggling not feeling quite right is the lackadaisical police response to smuggling... they just scan EVERYONE, and if you get busted carrying illegals, the police just finish their donut, reach over to the "mark his cargo" button, slap you with a fine, and go about their business.

There needs to be some kind of in-between of "meh, fine him" and "shoot to kill." Some kind of police-chase mode where they're not shooting you, per say, but trying to just stop you and arrest you.

 

[Malfahri]

I think another part of smuggling not feeling quite right is the lackadaisical police response to smuggling... they just scan EVERYONE, and if you get busted carrying illegals, the police just finish their donut, reach over to the "mark his cargo" button, slap you with a fine, and go about their business.

There needs to be some kind of in-between of "meh, fine him" and "shoot to kill." Some kind of police-chase mode where they're not shooting you, per say, but trying to just stop you and arrest you.

I am hoping when they implement the changes to the bounty system it will also make police reactions to repeated smugglers more interesting.