Starfield Secrets: Unveiling the Lucrative Underground Contraband Market

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Starfield Contraband System Explained

How to Hide Contraband in Starfield

Finding Places to Sell Illegal Goods in Starfield

While it is definitely feasible to maintain a mostly lawful existence in Starfield, players will soon discover the prosperous criminal underbelly that permeates the established systems. Inexplicably, space pirates relentlessly assail players, making it increasingly difficult to resist succumbing to similar illicit activities. Compounding the challenge is the early introduction of Contraband, an exceedingly valuable resource that entices players to venture into the murky realm of illegalities in the midst of financial constraints.

The Contraband system in Starfield is intricately designed, requiring players to meet specific criteria before attempting to smuggle it to potential merchants. Additionally, finding a willing and unscrupulous merchant to purchase it can be challenging. However, as players explore the galaxy, they will gradually uncover the secrets to successfully smuggling Contraband.

Please note that this guide is an ongoing project. Any new information regarding the Contraband system in Starfield will be promptly included.

Starfield Contraband System Explained

The basics of Contraband are quite simple. Players can obtain Contraband through various means, such as looting and story-related situations. However, the challenge arises when deciding what to do with it. Upon the arrival of a ship in a settled system, it is subject to a thorough scan for illegal goods, particularly contraband.

During the scanning process, a sophisticated set of mechanics will be activated to determine if the contraband is detected. To safeguard their valuable cargo, players must follow a series of steps.

How to Hide Contraband in Starfield

When the player manages to evade detection, they are tasked with locating a merchant who is willing to buy Contraband items. This task can be considered a mission on its own, as finding such a merchant can be quite challenging. It is worth mentioning that certain vendors may even require the player to accomplish a small mission as a way to demonstrate their trustworthiness.

The ability of a ship to evade detection by a scanner largely depends on its cargo hold. Unfortunately, Starfield's entry-level vessel, The Frontier, is equipped with standard cargo holds, making it impossible to pass a scan unnoticed. Fortunately, there are various alternatives to obtain shielded cargo holds or acquire ships that come with them. Please take into consideration the following alternatives:

Players have the option to purchase shielded cargo holds and scan jammers from various rare parts dealers, such as the Crimson Fleet, and other untrustworthy merchants throughout the systems. A visit to The Key, the Crimson Fleet's space station, can be arranged during the 'Deep Cover' mission where players will encounter Jasmine Durand, the Ship Services Technician on The Key.

Alternatively, players can engage in piracy to gain control of a ship. By utilizing the Targeting Systems skill to disable the engines, players can board the ship and take command. To determine if a ship has shielded cargo space, players can refer to the Ship Overview and check directly beneath the total cargo capacity gauge.

Obtainable through quests: Certain quests will grant players with free ships. Upon completing the "Mantis" side quest, players can acquire the Razorleaf ship, which boasts a Shielded Capacity of 160. To initiate the "Mantis" quest, players must read the "Secret Outpost!" slate discovered on Spacers while engaged in the "Groundpounder" side quest. This particular quest entails infiltrating a hidden superhero refuge on Denebola I-b, a moon located within the Denebola system.

After obtaining a ship equipped with a shielded cargo hold, it is important to arrange the contraband inside before attempting to travel to a settled system. It is advisable to exercise caution in planets with major cities, such as Jemison and its New Atlantis, as well as Akila and its Akila City, as these locations pose the highest potential risk.

The HUD will indicate the likelihood of passing a scan when the contraband is stored in a shielded hold. By utilizing a shielded hold and containing a minimal quantity of contraband, the game presents a 59% probability of achieving success. Implement the following approaches to enhance the chances of success:

Scan Jammer: The scan jammer is a highly sought-after item, much like the shielded cargo holds. Starfield's Help section suggests that players are more likely to discover and take control of a ship already equipped with this device. The likelihood of finding scan jammers available for purchase is very slim.

Payloads Skill: In the game, the payloads skill enhances the player's ability to avoid detection.

Remember, contraband carried in personal inventory will always be detected, so make sure to put it in the ship's cargo hold.

Where to Sell Contraband in Starfield

Upon safely reaching the planet, players must determine the ideal destination for selling their highly coveted goods. Initially, the Trade Authority is the sole option available during the game's early stages. However, as the game unfolds, players will unlock access to a Crimson Fleet space station called the Key. It should be noted that players need to complete the 'Deep Cover' mission before progressing further.

Players are likely aware that Trade Authority kiosks can be found in most spaceports across Starfield. However, these kiosks are useless for dealing with contraband. Instead, players need to locate the human representative of the Trade Authority in their respective region. In the case of New Atlantis, the representative, named Zoe, is located in the Wells. While the Trade Authority can be found in all the main cities, the number of outposts in the systems is yet to be determined.

Regrettably, both the Trade Authority and Crimson Fleet do not offer favorable prices for contraband. According to the game, there are less reputable sources to sell to within the systems. Currently, these sources appear to be encountered randomly or through specific missions available on the game's Mission Boards.

There are undoubtedly many more ways to sell contraband in Starfield, and they will be added to this guide as they are uncovered.

Starfield is available now for Xbox Series X/S and PC.