Smuggling Sooo, Smuggling?

[Viedon]

I dont know why cargo space seems to be a main concern in regards to smuggling. I always felt smuggling was about moving illicit goods undetected quickly and offloading it. That is something I can't see the MM doing.

Looking at what AntiSqueaker wrote think they were spot on about the 2 types smugglers. Banu MM fitting his definition of the "classic" smuggler, while ships like the MAX I feel fit into both categories.

 

[WarrenPeace]

Cargo space is always going to be an issue, at least for the first type of smuggler. You're almost never going to get a single cargo that fills exactly your cargo hold; you'll have bits of space left over. So say you get a job to smuggle 20 crates of weapons to a planet where they're banned; in the MAXX, that gives you over 100 units left over. That's 100 units of extra cargo you can take down, legit, profitable cargo that ALSO can serve as a cover for your gun, in case you get stopped for an inspection. But if you're moving 5,000 units of cargo, you can literally bury the "hot" crates in your hold to such an extent that they won't find them without specifically unloading everything looking for them.

For the second type of smuggler, the one that focuses entirely on stealth and speed; that, I will completely agree, is a role that the Merchantman is unsuited for (based off current theorycrafting, predictions will change based on new information and testing and such). In that situation, there's actually a couple of items I would take under consideration.

1. How much cargo do they need moved?
   • The more you need moved, the bigger the ship needed, and the slower/more obvious it will be. This means that larger loads will be geometrically more expensive for the client.
2. How much are they paying?
   • Scruffy ain't riskin' his life for no small potatoes. Nosirree. 'Course, ya can't spend money you ain't if you ain't alive, and it ain't no good if ya gotta spend all of it just patching holes in yer ship and yerself. Ayup.
3. What are the risks?
   • What kind of threats do I face? Ships with really good sensors? Lots of firepower? Speedy ships? These are all very important considerations in selecting the appropriate ship. It's all well and good bringing a MAXX for just running past the blockade, but if they've got multiple Gladii or similar interceptors, then speed alone won't be enough.

Ok, I'm getting way into the weeds on this one. But to tie this all back into my original point (nice segue dude!) cargo space is a MAJOR consideration, simply in determining whether or not a job is a good match for your ship.

 

[Kersakov]

I feel llike this is going to be expensive for me. I'm trying really hard to not buy more ships but the two that I really want are the Caterpillar and the Retaliator and both are gonna be on sale...

 

[D3Mark]

Alright you scoundrels, with the 'Tali modules being sold, how many of you are now swapping over? I'm still a bit torn on whether to melt the MAX for a 'Tali with forward torps and rear cargo or not.

 

[Amon Morell]

I will keep my Max for now and i will stick with it if its faster than other cargo ships.

 

[honcho12]

Alright you scoundrels, with the 'Tali modules being sold, how many of you are now swapping over? I'm still a bit torn on whether to melt the MAX for a 'Tali with forward torps and rear cargo or not.

The fact that they're including a cargo option makes me think it'll be a great blockade runner, I'm so excited!

 

[D3Mark]

The fact that they're including a cargo option makes me think it'll be a great blockade runner, I'm so excited!

STOP TRYING TO CONVINCE ME x.x

 

[Gr33nh0use]

I'm in, I've been smuggling plums for years.

 

[D3Mark]

Aight, so let me bounce this off my fellow smugglers: Carrack with cargo configuration. It has built in medical and such, not to mention some half big engines, some firepower, serious shields, etc.

More importantly, with the idea that (supposedly) you can swap class 3 stuff to be EW stuff. Dunno, thoughts?

 

[Metal-Muffin]

She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid...

Sounds like my ex-wife.

 

[Arthur Daley]

I'll be using the Andromeda for Test smuggling :D

 

[Tsukihi]

If the money is right i have no questions only my job to do :D

 

[Reptar Khan]

Be sure to be extra careful when moving TEST 'product' from our Endevors...

 

[honcho12]

Be sure to be extra careful when moving TEST 'product' from our Endevors...

They didn't mention illicit endeavor production stuff, I was a little dissapointed. Hopefully they'll get into the nitty gritty of living outside the law soon, now that the caterpillar's coming along

 

[Space Monkey]

No matter what I'm in for smuggling. Not going to have a Smuggling ship per say right away but I will definitely get a 350R which will be excellent for scouting and blockade running. Then most likely Freelancer in PU.

 

[Reyalp CB4]

You can count on one hand how interested i am

 

[honcho12]

No matter what I'm in for smuggling. Not going to have a Smuggling ship per say right away but I will definitely get a 350R which will be excellent for scouting and blockade running. Then most likely Freelancer in PU.

The caterpillar seems like an interesting option, I think I remember hearing that there'd be little nooks and crannies to hide contraband. I'll be interested to see if they'll have small high value things that'd be well suited to blockade running, and medium things for people who go stealthy, and low value stuff for people who want to sneak a few containers of stuff through on a fully loaded hull-E

 

[Reptar Khan]

The Endevor is to the Cat
As Medical player base is to Pirate player base
(Theory crafting Woo)

Well I guess pirates would have both lol

 

[Space Monkey]

The caterpillar seems like an interesting option, I think I remember hearing that there'd be little nooks and crannies to hide contraband. I'll be interested to see if they'll have small high value things that'd be well suited to blockade running, and medium things for people who go stealthy, and low value stuff for people who want to sneak a few containers of stuff through on a fully loaded hull-E

I'm particularly interested in possbly seeing if I can load as much crap into a ship as possible and coast in with absolutely everything turned off even environmental. I would like that very much.
But the caterpilar is amazing with all the modularity. Whether you're a pirate or not it will be very popular.

 

[Arrangingstars]

This (smuggling) is the nice middle-ground for me, in terms of being outside the law. I have an F7C-S Hornet Ghost, and a Banu MM with LTI. I personally love the idea of smuggling goods either for my TESTies or "on the side". I am definitely a BMM fangril, but I can see how people would try to discuss which one will be the "ultimate". I think if used properly, each one has a chance of being a great smuggling ship. It just depends on how much willing to you're lose if your run doesn't come out successful for x amount of reasons. In a BMM, I'm going to be risking my ass everytime, because yeah, it is a huuuuge target. I'm hoping however, the Banu deters aggressors, just by the mere fact it's some "notorious ship with a heavily armored hull, etc etc". They make it sound so big and bad (not saying it's not, it TOTALLY is), and in the cases I'm going out anyways I'd love to have a squad of people escorting my ass wherever I need to go anyway.

Also, someone mentioned they thought the devs at one point mentioned the BMM being to some effect 'unscannable', meaning that if it's scanned, it'll likely come up clean OR you'll just get an error if you try to scan it. Either way, IF it's true that makes me so happy on my inside heart place. @_@