Navigating the Outer Rim requires a keen eye for profit and a disciplined approach to spending. As Kay Vess, your ability to manage your hard-earned credits will directly impact your progression, from acquiring better gear to bribing the right individuals. This section will guide you through the intricacies of Star Wars Outlaws' economy.
Galactic Credits: Your Primary Resource
The standard currency across the galaxy is the Galactic Credit. You'll earn credits through various activities:
- Completing missions (main story, side quests, and emergent events).
- Selling looted contraband and stolen goods.
- Successful heists and smuggling operations.
- Gambling at cantinas (use with caution!).
Maximizing Your Income
To ensure you always have enough credits for your ventures, focus on these income streams:
- Contraband & Loot: Regularly scavenge defeated enemies and explore hidden stashes. Items like Spice, Illicit Data Chips, and rare crafting components can fetch a good price. Prioritize selling these to the most receptive merchants.
- Smuggling Contracts: Seek out Slippery Merchants and Shady Contacts in cantinas and back alleys. These individuals offer lucrative, albeit risky, smuggling missions that often involve transporting goods between planets or evading Imperial patrols.
- Bounty Hunting: Keep an eye out for bounty posters in major settlements. Tracking down and apprehending (or eliminating) wanted individuals can yield significant credit rewards.
- Exploration: Don't underestimate the value of exploring uncharted territories. Hidden caches and abandoned outposts often contain valuable items or credits.
Strategic Spending: Where Your Credits Go
Every credit spent should be a calculated decision. Here's where your money will be most impactful:
Essential Purchases
- Weapon & Gear Upgrades: Investing in better blasters, armor, and utility items is crucial for survival. Look for upgrades at Arms Dealers in major settlements like Mos Eisley on Tatooine or Kijimi City. Prioritize upgrades that complement your playstyle.
- Ship Enhancements: Your ship, the Trailblazer, is your lifeline. Upgrading its weapons, shields, and engines will make space combat more manageable and profitable. Visit shipyards in neutral systems for the best selection.
- Information & Intel: Sometimes, the fastest way to a payday is through knowledge. Paying informants or purchasing intel from certain contacts can reveal lucrative opportunities or the location of valuable targets.
- Bribes & Favors: In the Outer Rim, influence is currency. You'll often need to pay off guards, bribe officials, or grease the palms of key individuals to gain access or avoid trouble.
When to Save
Not every shiny object is worth your credits. Be wary of:
- Overpriced Consumables: Unless you're in dire need, avoid impulse buys of standard medpacs or ammo. Looting and crafting are often more cost-effective.
- Cosmetic Items: While looking good is a perk, prioritize functional upgrades over purely aesthetic ones, especially in the early game.
- Unnecessary Risks: Don't gamble away your hard-earned credits unless you're confident in your odds or the potential reward is exceptionally high.
Merchant Types and Their Specialties
Different merchants offer different goods and prices. Understanding who to sell to and who to buy from is key:
- General Merchants: Found in most settlements, they buy a wide variety of goods but offer average prices.
- Specialized Dealers: These merchants focus on specific items, such as weapons, ship parts, or crafting materials. They often offer better prices for their specialty items.
- Black Market Dealers: Often found in less reputable areas, they are willing to pay top credit for contraband and illegal goods. Be cautious, as dealing with them can attract unwanted attention.
- Information Brokers: These individuals sell valuable intel, mission leads, or access to restricted areas.
Tips for Trading
- Compare Prices: Always check prices at multiple merchants before selling valuable loot.
- Reputation Matters: Building a good reputation with certain factions can unlock better prices or access to exclusive goods.
- Timing is Everything: Some events or mission outcomes can temporarily affect market prices.