Smuggler Archive

In the spirit of enhancements based on in-game systems, I figured I'd share some ideas I had. I searched and didn't find anything on these topics, so I apologize if they've been discsussed before.

It's probably safe to guess that many smugglers are resigned to the following:
* Jedi/BH are the high-profile content and serving them is a dev priority
* Smugglers may have a long wait until we actually get smuggling content

I know that the thought of doing anything to contribute to Jedi or BHs is probably a complete afront to many smugglers. However, taking an "if you can't beat them, join them approach," I was thinking that there might be some new skills we could use to leverage the BH/Jedi relationship for some smuggler love, profit, and an improved role importance until we can actually smuggle.

I am thinking about some master level skills that tap our "Fixer" role, such as:

* Right now Jedi have no way of checking their visibility rating, aside from a general idea if they have BH friends that can check the terms. How about a skill that lets us pull up a Jedi's details - their rating, how long for decay, etc.?

* I don't know much about how BH droids work, but maybe a service skill we can charge for that lets us act as informants--give BHs leads on marks that are quicker/more accurate than droids?

* Since we play both sides, a skill that we can charge for to reduce a Jedi's viz or decay time? Use our underworld connections to turn down the heat a bit?

There are of course a lot of opportunities for griefing, so the systems would need to be carefully thought out. Plus impact on other profs would need to be considered in the planning (for example, there would need to be some downside to the "BH Informant" role so that DEs don't get hosed--maybe the smuggler gets a sizable percentage of the mission payout?). Finally, I think mechanisms would need to be put into place to better "commoditize" our services. Rather than relying on trust between the smuggler and client, some interface would need to ensure payment and service are delivered (and again could be used to limit griefing -- the smuggler might not even be able to see the "data" that they are brokering to the BH).

I think there's precedent for these types of roles. Obi Wan certainly relied on informants and seedy connections. Plus, if a BH/smuggler relationship ever does get implemented, these skills would be self-serving.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw these ideas out there.

Message Edited by Keatsnam on 08-12-2005 04:59 PM

Sounds like a great alternative. Those of us that are Smug/MBH willmake a killing off this.

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BeigeKnight wrote:

I've always been a fan of smugglers using their "underworld connections" as a source of info in the sense of your first idea. But I'm weary of smugglers reducing visibility in fear of all Jedi making their alt. a smuggler for this purpose. I suppose if "getting the heat off" would cost a substantal amount of credits (ex. bribing the right guy), this may work despite the fact that most Jedi are wealthy anyways (ex. jacking up the price). And as you said, I would hate to see the usefulness of BH droids be underminded by smugglers as DE's have little to do anyways.

So the idea of smugglers getting the details of a Jedi's wanted level is nice in the sense that it doesn't change the fact that the Jedi is still on the terms. It's good to know where they stand I suppose.

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I thought that the alt issue might be a problem at first, too. Then realized that if this is an action that requires face-to-face transactions, a Jedi won't be able to use his own alt (since you can't have two charcters logged in at the same time).