3

Contraband are illegal goods that sell for a high price to the Trade Authority. However, when you enter some star systems, a scan can be performed on your ship by authorities and any contraband you have may be seized (pending the scan results).

Is there an in game way to determine what systems will scan your ship before you jump to them? I want to be able to travel to systems with contraband without having it seized (I know there are ship upgrades and perks you can get to decrease the chance of scan detecting contraband, but I haven't modified my ship yet/obtained the perks).

Improve this question
7
  • 1
    I would certainly avoid any systems with major cities, except perhaps the Crimson Fleet homeworld, if you're on reasonable terms. The Den in the Wolf system seems to be the place to go.
    – Neon1024
    Commented Sep 14, 2023 at 15:36
  • @Neon1024 I know about The Den in the Wolf System (via the linked post), but I'm fairly early on in the game and its the only location I've reached so far that doesn't do a scan and has a trade authority. The issue is, I have too much contraband and the Trade Authority's credits don't seem to replenish in a timely manner, forcing me to hold onto the contraband for a while. So I'd like to know what systems I can travel to while holding contraband without losing it.
    – Timmy Jim ♦
    Commented Sep 14, 2023 at 15:55
  • 1
    I guess it's the game mechanic to force you into finding a shielded cargo hold
    – Neon1024
    Commented Sep 14, 2023 at 16:01
  • Ancillary remark--this is a well-known problem with Bethesda games--you quickly reach a point where you are able to collect far more loot than the entire game economy can afford... including stolen goods that require fencing.
    – TylerH
    Commented Sep 15, 2023 at 12:57
  • @TylerH I found that if you sit in a chair and wait 48 hours, the vendor credits seem to replenish. So that is helpful for sure.
    – Timmy Jim ♦
    Commented Sep 15, 2023 at 13:01

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

Only UC and Freestar Collective controlled systems that have a "faction town" in the system will scan you. You can tell if the system is controlled by either faction by the icon over the system, and a "faction town" with the icon over a planet/moon.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Systems like Wolf are UC controlled, but do not scan you for example. You can zoom into most systems so you can check to see if you see any of these planets.

enter image description here

enter image description here

If you have no shielded cargo and you're carrying contraband, you best avoid travelling to these systems lest they be confiscated.

Improve this answer
2
  • Is that the symbol shown for both factions? I guess this also has the caveat that you first need to visit the system to know if its controlled by them?
    – Timmy Jim ♦
    Commented Sep 14, 2023 at 17:22
  • Yeah, the icon is shown for either faction. Though I believe you're right, you would have had to visit the system to get the icon. I think the icons would also have to be on one of the planets/moons for them to scan you.
    – Jeff Mercado
    Commented Sep 14, 2023 at 18:06

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .