Intoduction to smuggling? Where to start.

There are 15 replies in this Thread. The last Post () by Valsmir_Seliviar.

    Hello, I have just started out in Freelancer myself and wanted to learn how to even begin the career of being a smuggler. Is there some way someone could make a Beginner Smugglers Guide, just to point newbs (like me) in the right direction, maybe even some fitting tips, item tips, trade tips, etc.


    I used to play Eve online quite a bit so I am quite used to detailed explanations and elaborated guides. But when it came to freelancer, I just haven't found much in the way of good laid out guides.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    Hello valsmir and welcome to Crossfire!
    You are right - detailed guides are missing, but only for one reason: everything is very simple in Crossfire :) Basically, all you need to become a smuggler is a cargo ship and a Smuggler Syndicate License.


    Cheap freighters are available from the very beginning, even if you have only the starting money. You can start with smaller ships and upgrade to better ones as you wealth multiplies.
    Licenses are sold on capital planets (Manhattan, New London, New Tokyo, New Berlin, Crossfire) and cost 1 million. Before obtaining the license you can only trade with regular commodities.


    It would be wise to improve your reputation with as many factions as possible, especially criminals - most black market goods are spread through their hands. More hints about reputation (and Crossfire in general) can be found here: Starter Guide


    Also, in case you are planning to play online, please be aware of what smuggler role play holds for you. This information can be helpful:
    General role play overview
    Smuggler Roleplay - basic info


    If you have further questions please ask them here or in game if you come on the server. Any IOC member will be happy to consult you (we are a smuggler clan).


    Looking forward to hearing from you!


    - Wanderer -

    Ok thank you for that bit of information, yet still it is quite confusing to understand unless you read over it multiple times. Like I said earlier, I'm used to dumb terms and detailed guides lol. Maybe I will try to start something up myself and create a good guide to help out new people....


    If anyone would like to help, your information would greatly be appreciated.....So far, I've found a pretty good start just to build up some money in New York with an easy, yet somewhat dangerous run....which will allow them to understand avoidance without having to actually fight their way out of a situation.


    I will probably use this thread to gain information and start up a draft guide, then will move it to a new location once it is finished enough.


    So what I would like to know first....is there any easily available freighter other than the rhino for traders/smugglers to start in? Right now I'm running a Rhino, running Mining Machinery from Detroit Munitions in sector B4, to the Trenton Outpost near Planet Manhattan. This is a quick route that in a rhino will get you $56,000 per run, a nice chunk of change for a newbie. I'm trying to think of how much can be made per hour, I do know that running Mining Machinery from Planet Pittsburg back to Trenton Outpost would yield $68,000 but I'm not sure if jump on the trade lane would be worth the time.


    If there is anything more lucrative in New York that you can think of (Other than running weapons back from buffalo due to high amount of hostility).


    Sorry that this is a long post but I do want this to be detailed and a great start for a new smuggler/trader. Also is there any way that I can join IOC? My game name is Valsmir_Seliviar.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    Hi Valsmir and welcome here


    What you have done so far is normal trading (all RolePlay's does that). Smuggling is a very different matter.
    First you need to get a very good reputation with the most fractions.
    Second you have to figure out who is Police, Pirate, Mercenary, Traders and other Smugglers (both from Clans and Freelancers).
    Third you have to "figure out" the dynamic economi -> commodities changes price/profit every day
    ....
    I suggest that you team up with us, on a temporary basis. Later we can discuss a membership (yes, we have requirements to membership and you would run screaming away, if you were told now :D ) - Trusth me


    See you in space pilot


    Edit by
    PS. Smuggling is a business secret

    CF RP: Probably smuggling something or exploring the universe
    EM char: Event_Manager_Silverfox

    9248-cebc88b9.png

    Yeah I understand that it has just been normal trading so far.... but what I am trying to do is learn the ropes in order to start the smuggling career. I obviously can't just go out, run my way into a rogue base and just buy some carmine....there is a method that will allow people to even out their reputation enough so that they are able to go out and buy carmine, with at least some minimized threats, but also be able to get into some of the legal bases to sell it.


    Yes I also understand that Smuggling is dangerous and I will accept that, but there must be some way to at least make it a bit easier reputation wise.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    Hello Seliviar,


    maybe next links can help you:
    index.php?page=Article&articleID=956&languageID=1


    index.php?page=Article&articleID=960&languageID=1


    index.php?page=Article&articleID=954&languageID=1


    Basically to be able succesfully trade (smuggle) you should explore Sirius sector (all bases). For start can be good idea think about small traders: index.php?page=Lexicon&lexiconID=2&c=22


    later you can use few more 'trading able' ships like:
    Mining Ship (special stuff, dock like battleships = all bases in Sirius except planets without moor)
    trains: index.php?page=Lexicon&lexiconID=2&c=25
    Large Transport, Luxury Liner, Prison Ship, Transport ... those ships dock like trains - mainly bigger bases (with very few exceptions) and planets with mooring fixtures. Liner, Prison and Mining S. have build-in turrets and shields, can, if properly used, nicely defend.


    ... and btw is nice to see another potential smuggler on crossfire :D


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    for exploration can help: index.php?page=Thread&threadID=22041

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     index.php?page=Lexicon&lexiconID=2&c=42

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     index.php?page=Lexicon&lexiconID=2&c=2


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    ... and one advice: for smuggling start (and maybe not only) can be good idea try trade some BMGs with lower prices(profit) or not to go every time for higghest price especially if is police (pirates) around ...

    So far, I've gotten some pretty good advice from all of you that will really help a lot. I'm trying to come up with a method for people to try and do this on their own without the help of any clans etc. So that they can get started into smuggling. One person had mentioned to me to have an IOC member escort the new comer around Sirius to get all of the different factions reputations listed....although this is a good idea, I am looking for a way to where people are able to do this on their own without too much frustration as well.


    Being a smuggler I do understand is hard, and even just starting out as one will be hard. But I thank you all for your support in this and I will do my best to come up with a guide that will surely get people in the right direction when it comes to smuggling.....hah, not what the police want to hear is it.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    Valsmir_Seliviar:
    All info for smuggling was added here: Guides (crossfire wiki). If you will have advices which you think will be useful, then is easy add them also.

    To be honest, I think I'm going to need a bit more room than just the Guide wiki that you directed me to. I plan on making this a decent sized PDF all based on smuggling alone. But once again, thank you for the link, it will definitely help in the process on giving as much information as I possibly can. So far this is the setup that I'm thinking of, let me know what you think:


    Guide to Smuggling:


    1. Introduction
    2. History
    3. Why Be A Smuggler?
    4. Your First Ship
    5. Flying Basics
    6. Building Your Factions List
    7. A Quick Method To A Decent Reputation
    8. The Art of Smuggling
    9. Encounters & Getting Caught
    10. Market Research


    USEFUL CHARTS -
    Commodities
    BMG's
    Maps
    Ships
    Weapons & Ammo


    INDEX

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    This looks very nice! :thumbsup: ... this concept can be used for more (all) RPs here as only smuggling. You have one big advantage in this that you do not know well (yet) crossfire space and informations placed here on portal. I'm on other side and this make for me difficult to see what new player search or need to know. But even if I like pdf documents, still can be good idea use wiki here to have such guide in one simple place for players. Wiki is also linked with new CF launcher so info there can be spread out quickly. Good way can be also add link there to download area with pdf file.



    (will try use similar way for mercenary and police RPs which I personally know)


    Edit by

    1. Introduction
    2. History
    3. Why Be A Smuggler?
    4. Your First Ship
    5. Flying Basics (how to become harder predictable)
    6. Building Your Factions List
    7. A Quick Method To A Decent Reputation .. look HERE
    8. The Art of Smuggling
    9. Encounters & Getting Caught
    10. Market Research

    index.php?page=Article&articleID=8&languageID=1


    This can't be all of the ships that are available in Crossfire? Is there a more up to date and complete listing that I can look at? A listing of ships would really help out on trying working your way into different play styles as well as what freighters should be gone with once you have the money.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    this are vanilla freelancer ships.


    ... looks will be needed create in wiki something for crossfire too :)


    For actual CF 1.9 are all ships (and other things) here: index.php?page=Lexicon&lexiconID=2


    you have there pics, details and price and. buy locations (in most cases).


    Edit by
    In CF wiki is atm under construction article for ships: index.php?page=Article&articleID=947&languageID=1 

    Awesome, the Lexicon will definitely help when creating this guide....I will start my research right away and get some testing done to check out the methods that I am thinking of.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    Just to let everyone know, I haven't given up on this guide, I just haven't had a lot of time to work on it. But I just did a test yesterday to get almost entirely neutral reputation straight from the start of your career, which worked out wonderfully I might add. It also allowed me to find an easy and extremely quick cardamine route that I will probably be using to build up some cash after I go out and get my first freighter.


    Just so you know I am using a test character for these studies, but please treat it as a normal RP character.....While trying to even start, I did have one person that I believe was police following me and trying to kill me along the way. Which was good practice and that is what I'm needing. It helped me figure out a new way to lose them while even along a trade lane, so thank you for trying to kill me (Paxtor, I believe the name was???).


    Course it doesn't help too much that my username is test_smugglers_guide or something along the lines of that so people automatically know that I'm a smuggler flying around lol.


    But once again, thank you all for your support and I hope to bring you a good guide to smuggling that will really help people get started in their careers as a smuggler.


    p.s. I just remembered I can't sell cardamine until I get the license.....so I will try to find a wealthy trade that is fairly consistent to build up cash for the license first then I will work on the cardamine.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.

    You can buy and sell Cardamine without need to have any rp license. Police can stop and fine any player (with any cf RP)trading it. There are only two commodities which are considered as illegal. License (smuggler) is technically needed "only" to buy BMGs .



    My comment about name: if you will stay on CF for longer time and rly like do smuggling (as it looks), then you will soon start think about a clan (start new or join existing). While you are in clan, your anonymity is lost. One from clans purpose is to offer theirs members better possibility for CF RP interaction without need to search what each other freelancer use for a license (not mentioning that freelancer can easily change license on his char).

    Alright cool, that will definitely help in getting a better ship quickly....also, for the test username...I will just be using it for this guide, but my main character will be used for the RP side of things. I'm not getting as much time as I would like to try and create this guide but I am doing what I can. Thank you all for your patience and help.

    Valsmir_Seliviar Log
    Date: Unknown
    Time: Unknown


    I've been....forgotten....set in this....cold, dark, stony chamber for those only to be forgotten.


    My life has been....emptied.....drained of its very essence. Life itself is no more than a mere....breath.


    But I've found a way out.....a way to take back my soul.....this time....now that I am forgotten....shall be a shadow in the darkness.....


    Unseen by the eyes of the law, I shall give those that want their precious carmine....the slow painful deaths that they long for, horrid scum.