Star Wars Outlaws Beginner Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Scoundrels

Star Wars Outlaws sends players into the seedy Outer Rim as Kay Vess, a thief trying to survive the criminal underworld with her companion Nix. The early hours can feel overwhelming because the game layers reputation systems, stealth sequences, vehicle upkeep, and Imperial wanted status over open-world exploration. A few focused habits can make the first stretch of the campaign far smoother, especially for anyone hoping to stay on good terms with the four major syndicates.

Contracts Are the Fastest Path to Reputation

After completing the early main quests “Underworld,” “New Tricks,” and “False Flag,” players gain access to Contract Brokers scattered across the galaxy. These brokers offer tasks with varying risk and reward, and the low-stakes options are ideal for beginners. Such contracts usually involve stealing an item or gathering intel from a syndicate base before reporting back.

Prioritizing these contracts is one of the best ways to build reputation quickly. A good standing with the syndicates allows Kay to travel through their territories without being stopped constantly. It also unlocks extra fast travel points and landing bays for the Trailblazer. Higher reputation levels even reveal more valuable contract options that would otherwise remain unavailable.

Clearing the Wanted System

The Empire uses a Wanted system to monitor Kay Vess, and gaining that status makes most Imperial units hostile on sight. Fortunately, players can remove the wanted marker in several ways. Corrupt Imperial officers accept payment to clear Kay’s name, while Imperial Satellites in space can also be hacked for the same result.

One reliable corrupt officer can be found early outside Makal’s Gambling Parlor in Mirogana City. Keeping the wanted level low is especially helpful before entering Imperial-controlled zones, where a clean record reduces unnecessary confrontations.

Earn Credits from Imperial Outposts

Imperial Terminals provide a repeatable source of Credits. These terminals are often located in large tower structures with only a handful of Stormtroopers nearby. Players can lockpick the door and slice the terminal to collect thousands of Credits at once. The confiscated Credits replenish after a few in-game days, so returning to the same outposts is a legitimate farming method.

Solving the slicing puzzle before the red line reaches the end increases the payout, making these terminals an excellent early source of funds.

Upgrade the Blaster, Speeder, and Trailblazer

The main menu shows upgrade progress, but Kay cannot install upgrades directly from that screen. Each system has a specific location where improvements must be applied.

Ship Mechanic services become available after progressing to the “False Flag” main quest. Checking the Vehicles tab regularly helps players track required materials before travelling to the appropriate station.

Recruit Experts to Unlock Skills

Rather than a traditional skill tree, Star Wars Outlaws gates abilities behind Experts scattered throughout the galaxy. Each Expert offers a set of skills once Kay meets specific requirements and completes their recruitment quest. These missions often involve following a trail of clues.

Expert quests should be treated as a major priority because they unlock essential abilities for combat, stealth, and survival. Tracking down these characters early opens up more options for approaching difficult missions.

Prioritize Stealth Skills

Many missions in Star Wars Outlaws feature mandatory stealth sections where a single detection can cause mission failure. For that reason, stealth-related skills are often the most valuable early choices. Smoke Bombs and Nix’s ability to sabotage alarms are particularly useful for keeping infiltration routes quiet.

Players should use Nix Vision frequently and take advantage of Nix’s distract ability to separate guards from their patrols. The “Fast Talk” perk can also help when someone spots Kay, as long as the blaster is set to stun before engaging in stealth infiltrations.

Visit Food Stalls for Nix Treats

Nix is more than a charming sidekick. The small companion can learn unique upgrades called Nix Treats by visiting food stalls found on each major planet. Unlocking these upgrades requires completing a quick time minigame, but the resulting enhancements are often worth the effort.

Nix Treats can be switched through the kitchen in the Trailblazer or the Loadout menu. The first food stall most players encounter sits south of the Mirogana Market District.

Hyperspace Travel Unlocks Later

New players sometimes worry that they have missed the space travel tutorial because the Trailblazer remains grounded for a long time. Hyperspace is intentionally locked behind story progression. The campaign keeps players on Toshara long enough to learn reputation, stealth, and vehicle systems before opening up other star systems.

Off-world travel becomes available after completing “The Wreck” main quest and repairing the hyperdrive. Until then, exploring Toshara thoroughly is the best use of time.

Additional Advice for Scoundrels

• The speeder can be summoned directly to Kay with the dedicated call button.

• Sabacc is a fun way to earn extra Credits once the rules click.

• Contract Broker quests can be accessed from a terminal in the Trailblazer lounge, saving travel time.

• A flashing yellow “Opportunities Nearby” prompt in the top right corner often signals nearby intel, so listen at bars and speak with locals.

• Sabotage alarms as soon as possible when infiltrating syndicate bases.

• Items marked “Safe to Sell” can be sold in bulk without risk.

• Selling goods at shops with good reputation yields better prices.

• The whistle feature is highly effective for silently luring and taking down guards.

• Saving before entering syndicate territory prevents reputation loss if Kay is caught in a restricted area.

• A poor reputation does not permanently block access; alternate routes into syndicate regions almost always exist.

• The blaster is the only permanent weapon. Other guns are temporary and are dropped when grappling, climbing ladders, or running out of ammo.

• Environmental clue markers can be toggled off for players who want less yellow paint in the world.

• Each syndicate vault contains 5,000 Credits and special speeder skins, but accessing one requires three keycards from syndicate members.

With these foundational habits, a new scoundrel can navigate Toshara and beyond with far less frustration, keeping Kay Vess one step ahead of both the Empire and rival syndicates.