Smuggler Archive
Thread: The Ultimate Smuggler Revamp!
I've culled the best ideas I've seen. I've been a Smuggler since launch, my whole point of being here was to be a Smuggler! If I can't smuggle, what point is there for me staying? I'm going to play the Revamp creator one more time, probably for the last time so here it goes.
I don't need to define Smugglers, that should be obvious as that they transport highly sought after goods that are usually illegal in nature and expect to get paid in generous amounts since they take very dangerous risks.
Smuggling Skills and Items for JTL and Ground
Smugglers can stay as they are, but lose the spice making abilities and remove all spice off of vendors.
New Item - Fake Transponder
An item used to mask the ship's true name and identity. Works as a random dice roll against being ID'd by checkpoint ships. Must be added to a ship at the ship terminal. Made from Smuggler parts, given to Shipwrights for final construction.
New Item - Crybaby
A new item used to fool checkpoint ships that a civilian ship is under attack by pilots. It is one use until refill and has a 50-50 chance of working. Parts must be harder to come by so it is not constantly used. Made from Smuggler parts, given to Shipwrights for final construction.
New Item - Exploding Debris
A new item installed in a countermeasure form. Debris is ejected that is rigged with minor bombs. These bombs make a huge explosion that can fool ships into thinking your ship has been destroyed. Feign Death for space but allows the ship to escape at full speed and power. (Dash Rendar uses something like this to fake his death in SOTE) Made from Smuggler parts, given to Shipwrights for final construction.
New Item - Secret Cargo Compartment Shielding
A new item that is made from Smuggler parts, then given to Shipwrights to make the final Secret Cargo Compartment for holding illegal cargo. Shielding wears out and eventually must be replaced by a new compartment.
New Skill - Total Shut Down
A JTL skill that shuts down all ship systems making the ship harder to detect. Can be used to fake out ships into believing you are disabled or have disappeared. Booting the systems back up takes a few seconds leaving you vulnerable. Works like Feign Death in space.
New Item - Metal Detector
A Survey like tool that can detect burried cargo containers for transport. Like Artisan survey tools.
New Item - Spectral Analyzer
An item used to find camoflauged cargo. Works by creating a window with multiple lines and boxes of different colors like a light spectrum. You must turn to the smallest/rarest color and walk to it to make itfill out the window more and more.When it fills the window you will find the cargo. Something like the Radiation Scanner but with colors.
New Item - Homing Device Scanner
An item used to find cargo with a homing device attached. Works like the Radiation Scanner in Phase 2 and 3 Village quests. Can also be used in space to find cargo drifting through space. You must tractor beam in this cargo.
New Skill - Fast Talking
A skill used in the radial menu and /comm menu. The higher in the Underworld Tree, the more options you have for Fast Talking. Fast Talking allows for higher payoffs in negotiations. As well, the more options you have in talking to NPCs. Look at Han in Episode IV in the detention cell for bluffs that can be used in this. If you choose the successful Fast Talk option, you can get out of trouble. In Fast Talking, once you initiate it, you have a few seconds to choose your response or you fail. This can be used to get past Imperial Officers in shuttles and elsewhere.
Smuggling Contracts
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When negotiating the contract, the higher the rank and the higher the Fast Talk ability, the higher payoff you can negotiate per mission. -
You can choose to have PvP or PvE. PvP missions involve PC BH's and Rangers. Of course, higher risk is higher reward. You get a higher payoff per mission, as well as generally finding more rare items in containers and generally being able to loot a little more before penalties are incurred. -
You can choose to have a space aspect or ground only aspect. Space Smugglers will find unique spices and rewards if they pick up their cargo in space. As well they receive higher payouts for taking more time to do the mission. -
Players with POB ships will be able to carry much more cargo and thus receive higher payoffs, since likely they will need a crew.
Smuggling Contractors
Smugglers can smuggle a variety of items for different employers. Some specialize in certain goods...
Criminal Organizations
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Criminal Organizations such as Jabba the Hutt, Lady Valarian and Nym will employ your services. -
The three organizations are competing with each other for their niche of the black market. -
After joining a side, expect to be attacked randomly on the ground and in space atany time when on a Smuggling missionfrom the other two organizations. -
If you switch organizations at any point, your previous employer will send much tougher enemies against you. -
If you are a successful Smuggler, expect the other two organizations to offer you bonuses to switch to their side. -
If you switch sides, you lose all Smuggler Prestige Points and Rank. However, you are given a bonus for all missions with the new employer like the Pilot Exp bonus. This bonus only works if you are in the Top 10 of your Smuggler Employer Rank when you switch sides. You lose this bonus if you are killed by a Bounty Hunter 3 times. The bonus can be up to x3. -
Criminal Organizations specialize in spice. All three organizations have one specialkind of spice that they have the market on. For instance, Yarrok on Endor may only be available with Lady Valarian. There would be two more special spices that Nym and Jabba have respectively while the rest of the spice isavailable between them all. Jabba would have Glitterstim and Nym would have Ryl etc.
The Rebel Alliance
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The Rebels are smuggling their material around the galaxy. Dash Rendar is dropping off supplies at Echo Base on Hoth at the beginning of ESB/SOTE. -
Smuggling contracts would be available from Princess Leia on Corellia. Taking the contract would give starport access at the Hidden Rebel Base on Corellia. -
Contacts and Middlemen would be Rebel aligned. -
Instead of spice, the Rebels are transporting buff items, powerups, weapons, armor and general supplies like food, medicines etc. -
Rare Hidden Cargo items will include written deeds for factional equipment and disks that can be traded for faction points. -
Rebels can be expected to be attacked by criminal elements and the Empire.
The Galactic Empire
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The Galactic Empire needs Smugglers for its covert operations and a General needs it for his seedier purposes. -
General Otto in the Imperial Outpost on Lok is deep in debt and has resorted to smuggling weaponry, armor, powerups, buff items, food and medicines to criminal elements to pay off that debt. He needs your help! -
An Imperial General at the Emperor's Retreat needs help moving those same items to covert teams in the field all over the galaxy so as not to draw any kind of Rebel attention to them. -
Rare Hidden Cargo items will include written deeds for equipment and disks that can be traded in for faction points. -
Imperials can be expected to be attacked by criminal elements and Rebels.
Obtaining the Cargo
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Cargo is not obtained by the contract holder. You must pick it up elsewhere. -
First you are sent to a contact. He will be in a different location/different planet. -
The contact will send you to the cargo to be transported. Again, different location. -
The cargo may be hidden. You may need to dig it up or look for camoflauged cargo containers. -
At the cargo, you can be attacked randomly. -
At the starport, you may or may not be searched or attacked. -
If you chose ground only missions, you may use public transport. If space, launch your ship!
Smuggling in Space
- When the smuggling mission is active, all travel options on ship terminals are unavailable. Can only use Launch.
- When the smuggling mission is active, it is impossible to use public transport, only exception for now, Mustafar.
Smuggling centers around smugglers in their starships. To facilitate this, we must actually use JTL and use ships.
Working with illegal Cargo in Space
Space Mission Layout
Dealing with the Empire
The Empire is attempting to curb criminal activities. This applies to space as well.
- The Empire will randomly spawn checkpoints along your flightpath.
- These checkpoints will be manned by several Imperial Starfighters and an officer in a Lambda Shuttle.
- These Imperials will order you to fly to the checkpoint to be scanned for illegal cargo.
You have several choices here -
- You can try to outrun them or fly in a new direction, which will automatically aggro them to you after a second or two.
- They will destroy you if you try to escape unless they manage to disable you first.
- You can /comm the Lambda Shuttle in an effort to fast talk them.
- You can submit for inspection and try to succeed.
If you are going to be inspected - using /jettison
- You can use /jettison and its equivalent JTL icon to dump all of your contents in your secret compartment into space.
- The cargo containers will float in space, and must be recovered by tractor beam just like the Asteroid Mining minigame.
- Ultimately, some containers will start flying out into space and you may lose them.
- Its unlikely you will recover all of the cargo, thus getting into trouble. (All of this is how Han gets into trouble pre-Episode IV)
- This cargo must be dumped at least 1000m out or whatever the measurement is in space so that the Empire does not see you and instant aggro you. Using /jettison is an attackable act!
If you are going to try to pass inspection -
Passing inspection is a random roll of the dice like ground checkpoints. Fake transponders and fast talk add to your % success.
- You can use a fake transponder added onto the ship from the ship terminal in starports to mask your ship's identity and cargo.
- You can use fast talk by /comm on the Lambda Shuttle
- You can approach the checkpoint and do nothing else. They may not find the cargo.
- If you fail inspection you are instantly attacked. Time for that fight or flight response!
Attempting to escape the checkpoint - Using /crybaby
- A crybaby is a floating canister that uses fake ship transmissions. It is a 50-50 chance item used to make the checkpoint team believe that a civilian ship is under attack by pirates. (Borrowed from the television show Firefly)
- The crybaby is a one use manufactured item made by Shipwrights and Smuggler supplied parts.
- Crybabies are installed in the same spot as countermeasures. One use only until refill!
- Crybabies must be placed 3000m out or an equivalent thereof from the checkpoint/fighters to hope for success.
- If the Crybaby succeeds, the checkpoint breaks up and you are free to go!
- If it fails, there are no penalties but you must still go to the checkpoint or use other measures.
If you are disabled on a POB ship -
- Within sufficient distance from the Lambda Shuttle, (1500m or less) you will have that Lambda Shuttle attempt to dock with you.
- You cannot refuse the docking, so it will succeed.
- An Imperial Officer and 2 or 3 Stormtroopers will spawn in your ship. You can either fight them immediatly by attacking or you can try one last fast talk.
- The Stormtroopers will start searching the ship. If they find the cargo compartment (it will be randomly set), they will instant aggro and kill you.
- By fast talking, you can convince the Officer it was a misunderstanding, appeal to patriotism, or attempt to bribe.
- If you fail the fast talk, you are instant aggro by all Imperials.
- If you fail the fast talk, even if you kill the Imps onboard, more than likely the Imp starfighters will blow you up before you can get away. Mission failed.
- If you succeed in the fast talk, your ship will be restored to a minimal existance, maybe just enough to still make the delivery.
- Starfighters will not be boarded but will be destroyed.
Dealing with the Rebel Alliance
The Rebellion also frowns on illegal criminal activity. They have the same operations as the Empire but with other ships.
Dealing with Pirates
Pirates will attack you instantly. You will either be asked to /jettison, be destroyed or disabled. Same boarding procedures apply.
Dealing with rival Criminal Factions
Rival factions want your cargo and your life. Same thing with the Pirates.
Landing Procedures
A Smuggler still has to make the delivery. Therefore, it is imperative that he can land in the closest location to deliver.
- Spacestations will give clearance to land.
- This clearance only allows for certain starports at certain times. You may need a certain one and not have it.
- You must use fast talk on the spacestation and convince them or bribe them to let you land where you need to.
- Imperial aligned pilots with a contract from General Otto will be able to land in the Imperial Outpost on Lok.
- Pilots with a contract from Jabba the Hutt will be able to land at Jabba's Palace.
- Rebel aligned pilots with a contract from Princess Leia will be able to land at the Hidden Rebel Base on Corellia.
- Instant travel to the special starports will be allowed outside of a smuggling mission.
Delivering the Cargo
Delivering the cargo can be a dangerous business. One must be alert at all times for traps and deception...
- Rangers may be on the lookout for you and your cargo in one way or another.
- You can kill the Ranger once they grab the cargo and take it back.
- You must search out the middleman in the city you are in and find out where to deliver the cargo.
- The cargo dropoff point will once again randomly spawn within the general vicinity of the city.
- At the dropoff point, you may be attacked for fun or because some cargo is missing...
- Before the attack, you will speak with the NPC there and can use fast talk on him if need be.
- You can fast talk your way out of accounting for some missing cargo.
Stealing Cargo
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You can slice containers and loot the contents. -
Looting too much of the contents or containers will cause you to fail the mission. -
Looting a bit might go undetected. -
Looting a bit but being noticed at the end will give smaller amounts of visibility points. -
There may be hidden items inside the containers including rare weapon parts, powerups, schematics, attachments, crystals, pearlsand buffs. There is a 1 in 20 chance of the lower items and 1 in 50 to 1 in 100 for the better ones. -
Looting spice is the only way to get ahold of spice.
Getting Paid
You must go back to the contract holder to get paid in credits and other items. Any noticed missing cargo will lead to disapproval from your employer. The more missing cargo, the more visibility points you pick up. If you have enough visibility points, depending on whether you selected PvP or PvE contracts, will result in a Bounty issued for you.
Getting Visibility
There are many ways to get visibility and obtain a bounty on you. Here are a few ways. Employers do not tolerate employees who steal the merchandise, fail to make the delivery or get ID'd and caught.
- Getting ID'd in space if your fake transponder fails or you fail the scan anyway.
- Getting boarded in space after being disabled.
- Too much cargo is missing from the shipment.
- Failing to make the delivery in time.
- Failing to make the delivery at all.
- Failing to slice the BH terminals.
- Failing to recover stolen cargo that Rangers stole from you.
- Finding contraband on your character.
- The Empire recognizing you as awanted Smuggler (and attacking you if Rebel) (Otherwise just visibility points only)
Making Amends
One of the great things about Episode IV is that Han was able to negotiate a way to pay back Jabba the Hutt, but he failed to do so. Here is a way to do it.
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Failing missions causes loss of Smuggler Prestige Points, Smuggler Rank, and adds Smuggler Visibility Points -
Smugglers can slice BH Terminals to remove a Jedi or fellow Smuggler temporarily. Failure leads to the Smuggler being immediately added on. -
Smugglers can make amends by negotiating their way out of debt to their employers. -
The firstlevel to make amends for failed missions is to run more missions but with less leeway to steal cargo and less credit payout. It is a form of probation. Failure withinfive missions leads to more demands. -
The second level to make amends is to pay a large credit fine and pay a fee in Smuggler Prestige Points. Failure withinten missions leads to even higher demands. -
The third level of amends is to pay a larger credit fine, Smuggler Prestige Points, and loss of Rank as well as automatically have a Bounty placed on you regardless. Failure in ten missions leads to a continuation of this loss. -
Bounty Hunters are to be feared. 3 BH kills and you lose all Smuggler Rank and Prestige Points, thus starting completely over.
Underworld Connections
Smugglers can find ways around some of the Underworld Penalties with Underworld Connections. As well, they may find some useful items and abilities to buy with Smuggler Prestige Points.
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Smugglers can talk to Spynet Operatives to erase a BH kill off of the Smuggler. The Smuggler must pay an increasing amount of credits for each BH kill taken off the record. Eventually, this will reach 2 million credits or more for eliminating a BH kill. Eventually, this will reset but not before you spend millions of credits. -
Smugglers can use Smuggler Prestige Points to purchase items. Items bought could be items used for slicing, ship parts, powerups, buffs, attachments, schematicsor unique parts for making weapons and armor. At the most expensive levels, you could buy Smuggler trophies like unique furniture. (Pilot's Chairs for example, Fuzzy Dice etc.) -
Smugglers could use Smuggler Prestige Points to pay for the ability to take unique missions for unique rewards. -
Smugglers purchase Smuggler Ranks with their Smuggler Prestige Points. The higher the Rank, the more glorious the Smuggler is and the more Prestige Points they can carry. Just like Faction Points.
Smuggler Rankings
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Smugglers will have a Top 100 ranking of Smugglers from the whole server at terminals accessed at the Contractor locations. -
The Top 10 Smugglers on the Server will be notorious and get extra mission payoffs and will be able to have a higher chance of finding rare items in the cargo. Security Personel will also be on the lookout for them more than usual. -
Each faction will have a list of the Top 100 Smugglers for their faction listed at their terminals as well as the Top 100 for the Server overall. -
Rankings depend on purchased rank as well as Prestige Point count. The higher the Rank and the higher the amount of points, the higher in the rankings. -
To remain competitive, Smugglers who are killed by Bounty Hunters 3 times are reset on the Rankings and lose all Smuggler Prestige Points. -
To remain competitive, Smugglers must accomplish a minimum of missions within a certain time to remain in their ranking or they begin to slide down as their reputation is diminishing. -
Of course, the higher the Smuggler Ranking, the tougher the mission and the higher the payoffs and rewards.
Wishlist Items
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That Star Destroyers could appear behind you in space and tractor beam you in. You will load inside the hangar and you must either hide in your ship like Hanin Episode IV or try to Fast Talk to the Imperial Officer to let you go. Getting your cargo found in the hangar means mission failed. You can try to fly out by clicking on Take Off on the radial menu of the Pilot Chair. If you can escape the tractor beam this time, you win. -
Creating a Smuggler's Run asteroid space station. This place could come complete with well known Smugglers and unique missions available only to those of proper Smuggler Rank. As well, you might need to pay someone in Smuggler Prestige Points to get special missions. -
More light freighters or POB ships to Smuggle in. The YT-2000 or Ebon Hawk would be great!
This is my hope for the Smuggler Revamp! I don't feel like going into what I think the Spices should do, I'll let the Devs and Smuggler community decide that. Well, if you like this let me know!
P.S. I'm not too sure about only contraband that only we could carry safely. I can't think of anything that would be worth that. Though I do like the idea of trading and commercial routes and piracy, that might be too much for the game to handle!
Avethian wrote:
I really love these ideas, very well thought out ((Even if there are a few Firefly-originated ideas, lol)). This is the kinda game I would love to be playing right now.
Having said that, this is the kind of system that could never be implemented because of how in-depth and complicated it is, sad as it is to say it. That content would take the devs as much time as an expansion to write, and they wouldn't make nearly as much money. /sigh Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think they'll ever spend this kind of time on any profession, except maybe that one which shall remain unnamed.
Either way, you shouldn't be discouraged, this is great stuff and if the devs based their ideas on just a third of this we'd be well off. And by the way, take a look at 'X-Contraband' for a few more ideas on the subject.
Actually, if it was an exapsion, I think a lot of people would buy it. Provided the expansion had atleast some content for other professions.
Message Edited by Zeon_Zaku on 10-18-2005 02:15 PM
cry, baby, cry....
make your mama sigh.
they'll never put that item in there. it'd be like admitting there's a better space opera to be had. which there is, but....
anyway, brilliant. i like these ideas.