The Smuggling discussion thread

ahiredgun · Sep 9, 2015

New smuggling ship needed.

For smugglers you have no options past the Asp. We need a more expensive purpose built smuggling ship. Maybe a stealth prowler. A long range armed reconnaissance ship about the size of the python that has decent firepower great boost speed meh shields and runs ice cold. Down sides of a ship like this kinda weak shields fairly weak armor and with best shields only 200t of cargo . Please we need a better smuggling ship. Cobras don't carry enough dbx definitely can't carry enough and is to slow the Asp is to slow and can barely defend itself.

Yomamas Fett · Sep 9, 2015

What?

My "Lady Libertine" is my favourite smuggler...I thought the Python was good also, but the Conda lets you do it in bulk!

Long Legs makes short work of long hauls, so it's not been unusual for me to smuggle her over 90ly-120ly with ease. Heavy Shields and HS Launchers mean that even if I mess the run up and get stuck in the chicken-wire I'll survive and be too cold to scan while I limp through the Letterbox.

She doesn't need weapons, as she will just jump 15s after submitting to any interdiction, not enough time for anyone to bring the shields down.

[Anaconda]
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 6D Power Plant
TM: 6D Thrusters
FH: 6A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 5D Life Support
PC: 7D Power Distributor
SS: 8D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)

7: 7E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 128)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
5: 5A Shield Generator
5: 5A Fuel Scoop
5: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
2: 1E Standard Docking Computer
---
Shield: 762.79 MJ
Power : 19.28 MW retracted (102%)
19.28 MW deployed (102%)
18.90 MW available
Cargo : 400 T
Fuel : 32 T
Mass : 615.2 T empty
1,047.2 T full
Range : 33.91 LY unladen
20.96 LY laden
Price : 179,612,839 CR
Re-Buy: 8,980,642 CR @ 95% insurance

Broon · Sep 9, 2015

I find the Python to be quite good, if not excellent, at smuggling. It's decently fast, well armed and has really ample cargo space. I run smuggling missions as my main livelihood and rarely run into trouble. Hell more often than not the cops don't even bother to scan me coming into a large station, even if I use the DC.

And I don't do all that chaff/heat sink/ line it up and boost into the slot/ kind of stuff. It's actually useless IMO. Just do your best to line up coming out of SC, give 4 pips to engine and open the throttle. Get clearance asap and drop pips/throttle to half when you can see in the slot (the star). Scoot in and X the throttle and let the DC take you to your pad. Super simple!

I will grant you that my method is easier in a Cobra since it's smaller and more forgiving with mistakes in the slot but the Python can do it well with A6 thrusters.

We don't need any new smuggling ships, we just need to learn to drive the ones we have.

ahiredgun · Sep 9, 2015

Yomamas Fett said:
What?

My "Lady Libertine" is my favourite smuggler...I thought the Python was good also, but the Conda lets you do it in bulk!

Long Legs makes short work of long hauls, so it's not been unusual for me to smuggle her over 90ly-120ly with ease. Heavy Shields and HS Launchers mean that even if I mess the run up and get stuck in the chicken-wire I'll survive and be too cold to scan while I limp through the Letterbox.

She doesn't need weapons, as she will just jump 15s after submitting to any interdiction, not enough time for anyone to bring the shields down.

[Anaconda]
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 6D Power Plant
TM: 6D Thrusters
FH: 6A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 5D Life Support
PC: 7D Power Distributor
SS: 8D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)

7: 7E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 128)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
5: 5A Shield Generator
5: 5A Fuel Scoop
5: 5E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 32)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
4: 4E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 16)
2: 1E Standard Docking Computer
---
Shield: 762.79 MJ
Power : 19.28 MW retracted (102%)
19.28 MW deployed (102%)
18.90 MW available
Cargo : 400 T
Fuel : 32 T
Mass : 615.2 T empty
1,047.2 T full
Range : 33.91 LY unladen
20.96 LY laden
Price : 179,612,839 CR
Re-Buy: 8,980,642 CR @ 95% insurance

Ha I saw this one coming (literally everyone can) the anaconda is simply to big and slow to smuggle correctly I know I tried multiple times. Here are some of my stats(Yes I record things like this) smuggling success rate for the following ships diamondback explorer 10/10 never got caught out of 10 trys cobra mk3 9/10 only got caught 1 time out of 10 trys stupid fed got between me and the slot. Asp 9/10 only got caught one time due to slow boost after scan started. Python 7/10 got hot to quickly had to boost resulting in suspicious behavior. Anaconda 2/10 silent running heat sinks chaff and boost they still saw me coming from the moment I left super cruise and proceeded to scan me as soon as I was in range, my 2 successes was when the game glitched causing no security forces to spawn.

Broon · Sep 9, 2015

Something I learned long ago during my hoodlum days was that the harder you try to be sneaky and hide from the law, the more you stand out. Blending in is much easier and less noticeable.

goemon · Sep 9, 2015

1. i think the idea of "smuggling in a big ship" is a little bit absurd, even if it can be done quite well in python or anaconda. but a dedicated bulg smuggling ship? better let's get back those cops you could bribe from elite2

2. the python is a very good smuggler, if run with an a6 or a5 powerplant, than it does not run hot. of course running with a cobra/dbe will get you inside more safe. they are smaller ships, and they don#t raise so much attention.

3. the clipper, btw., is a very good smuggler, too. 200 tons of cargo. run it with a4 shield and a5 powerplant. fast enough and nimble enough to get through the slot.

___

tl;dr: big smuggling ship = not needed.

Broon · Sep 9, 2015

Funny thing about it is that I get 2-3 attempted scans while in my Cobra to every one attempt they throw at my Python.

Both ships are A rated and I use the exact same entrance tactics with both ships. In fact I developed the tactic in my Cobra.

Hide in plain sight seems to fit here, at least in my experience.

Edit: Actually I take that back. The Python has a C7 Power Plant in it so I suppose its heat efficiency could be improved. I still NEVER use silent running, heat sinks or chaff to mask myself.

ahiredgun · Sep 9, 2015

Ok how about a bigger exploring ship in the 40 to 50 mil price range. Maybe a long range stealth prowler?

Archimedes Crew · Sep 9, 2015

You can smuggle in an Anaconda. Pretty easy. No heat sinks required either. You can smuggle in anything I reckon - except maybe a T9 is probably too ungainly to be consistently good at it.

They really need to buff station security. At least they need to increase the fines ten-fold. Currently they fine you the value of your smuggled goods - they don't even confiscate the cargo on the odd occasion that you do get caught, so at worst you break even. Seriously?

LameoveR · Sep 9, 2015

I'm smuggling on my Python from time to time, even without heat sinks.
I don't want to smuggle with docking computer

Yomamas Fett · Sep 9, 2015

I bought my smugling Anaconda for the reecent Battle Weapons CG. 20 runs, no fines other than 1 speeding ticket for 400c iirc. 4 incidents; hit station tower twice with no damage, bumped some-ones ship for the speeding fine; and once hit the grill at 200ms, lost half my shields and all my speed right as SA were looking my way. HSs kept my at almost 0 heat until I made it safe, 10 nervous seconds or so later!

TBH I was planning on turning just the radiator off and using the HSs with that, but never got to test it before heading out of the bubble.

Unfluffydave · Sep 9, 2015

ahiredgun said:
Ok how about a bigger exploring ship in the 40 to 50 mil price range. Maybe a long range stealth prowler?

Again, no point. Stealth abilities on a ship designed to be no where where another ship is going to be is as useful as a shoe shop in The Shire

Ben Ryder · Sep 9, 2015

ahiredgun said:
For smugglers you have no options past the Asp. We need a more expensive purpose built smuggling ship. Maybe a stealth prowler. A long
range armed reconnaissance ship about the size of the python that has decent firepower great boost speed meh shields and runs ice cold. Down sides of a ship like this kinda weak shields fairly weak armor and with best shields only 200t of cargo . Please we need a better smuggling ship. Cobras don't carry enough dbx definitely can't carry enough and is to slow the Asp is to slow and can barely defend itself.

Try here

Best Smugglers Smuggling Ship and Outfitting it

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=143794&highlight=smuggling+smugglers

Ben Ryder · Sep 9, 2015

SimpleMerchant said:
I truly admire your particular brand of moral gymnastics to help you sleep at night tucked away safely in your spaceship. Here is mine: I deal in imperial slaves. These guys are stuck in a system that makes them choose between a life of poverty or giving up a large part of their life as indentured servants, and it is my honor to take them from their servitude and deliver them to some business associates of mine in the black market in a system where slavery is banned. Now the decision on what to do with them is up to my business associates, it is not my fault. I mean someone might be so happy with their ehrrmm... service... that they free them, or they can escape and run to the nearest federation police officer and become free again! Either way I am doing no wrong, if anything I am giving them a possible chance of something better.

The fact that I make 2.5 million off of every transaction makes no difference. I sleep on my spaceship on a pile of money surrounded by many beautiful space women.

All in all I concur with you.

Slave lives matter.

I see myself as kind of like a space Harriet Tubman.... mhhhhhhmmmm yes......

Good for you.

Banana's_Are_Good_For_You · Sep 9, 2015

It's very "Lord Of War" Ben, I read the other post but was busy...you don't seem to care as long as you, personally, don't pull the trigger. It's all about the money Honey, right?
But why are you trading weapons when you tell us you are so peaceable.
Y'know, I almost believed it when I saw those French guys shooting things in Antal Space...to those guys I'd just say this in a language they are familiar with:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUjGf2Grrus

But anyways, is it wise to spread weapons's out to Antal's populace knowing, well in any kinda of civilized society, that weapons can be used for bad things?
Or is there something we don't know?

777Driver · Sep 9, 2015

ahiredgun said:
Ha I saw this one coming (literally everyone can) the anaconda is simply to big and slow to smuggle correctly

Smuggling correctly is not getting caught... The Cobra is my main main smuggling ship for missions - Over the past 6 months I have smuggled in a Anaconda & T9, never been caught. The past week I have been smuggling purely in a shiledless 532T Type-9, just drop out at 40km and wait for the patrols to pass.

Crash1099 · Sep 9, 2015

I use my vulture to smuggle and have not got caught yet.

Steve72 · Sep 9, 2015

Any ship can smuggle. Been doingit in a conda like others.

Forget silent be bold oh and the biggest factor. Do a couple of donate missions and get allied.

Ben Ryder · Sep 9, 2015

Drug smuggling Archon space to Antal 3000cr route

A little birdy gave me this infomration.

"Heads-up, in Narri there are Seeking Goods traders in the rings of Narri 2/Bobko city. Bring your goods (your totally not-Narcotic goods, if you know what I mean) and prepare to bring in a small fortune. Will edit if/once I can find a good pickup spot nearby.
Edit:
Okay, the best pickup I could find was over in Archon territory: Halbangaay, Haack Gateway (894ls). Grab your dissidents, pack up all the consumer technology you can fit. Sell CT at Haack for 960 profit, and pick up Narcotics. Return to the Seeking Goods merchants and you will unload Narcotics for 2035 profit each. Net gain: 2995/ton trip.
Harmony through technology, CMDRs."

More details at https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteAntal/

Yank31 · Sep 9, 2015

Hmmm, thank to your bird I guess, even though tweeting in public places have never been the best course of action, or so I think. Might have been the rules of some club, I can't remember.

Also, who presents a route without mentioning the time it takes? Who does that?!

Dirty illustration of why time matters :

Two weeks ago, I took one ton of slaves, as well as some beer and tobacco, to go and give to a friend who was on his way back from a fuel rat mission. It was a "beer rat" mission, except that he didn't ask for anything, and didn't know I was coming. In fact he didn't even wait for me, and went on another fuel rat mission when I was almost reaching him, 5.000 Ly away from Sol.
Anyways, so I went back and sold my cargo. I made a good +5200 Cr profit for the ton of slaves. The loop took me two days though, so even with that high profits, I would not recommend that route.