Suggestion: Get rid of the Contraband

[hollowchime]

I find the Watchtower parts being contraband incredibly annoying.

Every time I do anything Watchtower related and loot anything, I now have to either sell the item or not be able to move around freely. I am not using skydrops that often that I need to have 5,000 contraband.

Furthermore, why are these items contraband? The lore suggests a highly secretive organization that is so secretive they don't talk to each other. But their random space debris is known to every faction as illegal to possess? Give me a break.

I'm not sure if things change and you can eventually store this stuff or whatever. Either way, consider making contraband optional or removing it please. What's the point?

 

[twolargepepperoni]

There are three chests around Stardock for storing contraband - next to B.A.B.S, in the clinic when it unlocks, and in Gren's workshop.

 

[hollowchime]

There are three chests around Stardock for storing contraband - next to B.A.B.S, in the clinic when it unlocks, and in Gren's workshop.

Thanks, I'll use those.

FWIW, I still don't understand the reason behind making watchtower parts contraband. Why would any faction be aware of what that technology is?

The Watchtower, according to Torin, doesn't even write things down (in the database) and compartmentalizes knowledge. There is another comment that they would run other businesses out of the market if people knew about their research and technology.

It could be that I'm not far along enough in the story.... Currently, it looks like it's contraband only to make things more tedious. We're already going back to Stardock a lot. Why force more trips just to stow contraband?

Thanks as always for your prompt response.

Note: This DLC is vastly superior to Shattered Space. You guys should be proud.

 

[Sirick]

Thanks, I'll use those.

FWIW, I still don't understand the reason behind making watchtower parts contraband. Why would any faction be aware of what that technology is?

The Watchtower, according to Torin, doesn't even write things down (in the database) and compartmentalizes knowledge. There is another comment that they would run other businesses out of the market if people knew about their research and technology.

It could be that I'm not far along enough in the story.... Currently, it looks like it's contraband only to make things more tedious. We're already going back to Stardock a lot. Why force more trips just to stow contraband?

Thanks as always for your prompt response.

Note: This DLC is vastly superior to Shattered Space. You guys should be proud.

Primarily I believe the reason was mechanics based, however, I can offer an in universe explanation.

(Minor spoilers, so tagged just in case).

Spoiler: CLASSIFIED BY ORDER OF WATCHTOWER

Watchtower has infiltrated most governments and companies and uses this to keep a track of things.

It’s not outside their scope of power to ensure certain technologies get added to contraband lists, so they can keep on top of any equipment that gets into the wrong hands.

 

[hollowchime]

^ Not quoting JIC it somehow exposes the spoiler. Interesting! Thanks. It's a very minor thing really overall. I also thought perhaps the reason could be simply detecting "weird technology" is enough of a reason to consider it contraband.

 

[kinggath]

We did so for several reasons. For story purposes it helps push the idea that Watchtower is willing to use whatever means necessary to protect humanity and operate "above the law" to an extent.

From a gameplay perspective, it makes contraband more interesting in general to have a piece of contraband with an actual purpose over just credits.

It would be very easy for someone to make a mod to remove the contraband flagging- so I'm sure we'll see one before long if enough people are asking for it!

 

[mishkazz]

Hi one & all, i love the mod, not fussed the on "contraband question" to me it just highlights the "Parts" required for something in the mod.... The what?... and how many? and their storage is a pain.... i didn't know about the chests until this post and as a new starfield player, No idea how to get a smugglers cargo rack... there is a mod that turned Cora into a teenager, who has a secret stash bag in the "dark verse" which was fine for smuggling... however Sam just died hence Cora left me and took my stash with her. :-(.... I do agree it is a problem to deal with, more so when you swap missions around... Cheers...
ps... Black & gold buildings are nice... Black agents, black cross hairs on scopes, and at night... it's just imposable to scope victims.... starfield night vision, seeing through contains, walls and buildings is just stupid.... add in some nice agent night vision scopes please... thanks cheers

 

[Bobwalt]

The problem with most mods is that they eliminate achievements and are thus classified as cheats. Watchtower does not. The Watchtower stuff being contraband is annoying because it means one has to go back to Stardock for flares for sky drop. If one could safely carry them it would be different. Heck, even shielded cargo space is not guaranteed to be safe.

 

[UrzaPlaneswalker]

The problem with most mods is that they eliminate achievements and are thus classified as cheats. Watchtower does not. The Watchtower stuff being contraband is annoying because it means one has to go back to Stardock for flares for sky drop. If one could safely carry them it would be different. Heck, even shielded cargo space is not guaranteed to be safe.

I can attest to shielded cargo not helping me evade detection. My shielded cargo capacity well exceeds any negligible weight the Watchtower Parts would add to my cargo load. I’ve tried everything to increase my chances of scan evasion and still get flagged on the cargo scan.

The only way I’m able to land in New Atlantis is by jumping into the system, quickly land at one of my outposts before the scan can conclude, and then fast travel to the Midas player home (mod “sold” separately). I discovered this completely by accident and have been using this to conduct business in New Atlantis while still being in possession of Watchtower Parts.

 

[mishkazz]

Hi One & all....
Smuggling is part of the game so it is law friendly, and no it shouldn't be easy to do or should it be impossible.... As it works in the game, you take contraband to Wolf / The Den and sell it, there is no more too it, a lack luster deal.... Watch tower however added a whole new dimension to it, you need to hold on it, hence the problem... It is questionable if storing "Contraband" in a chest at Starbase or on your ship is any different, what's the cheat hear?... Granted the Mod "Cora replacer as teenager" and using her to smuggle goods has some moral questionable ground but is it really a cheat?.... Ideally watch tower could add crew members that are smugglers, that can hide stuff in your ship.... The true cheat is, because you can dock with your fleet ships you can hide your contraband on them, this is the best current option....I have dumped contraband on the floor at the den & StarBase which works, but this is not a good game practice.... smuggling is law friendly, having proper method of doing it would be good... cheers

 

[UrzaPlaneswalker]

Hi One & all....
Smuggling is part of the game so it is law friendly, and no it shouldn't be easy to do or should it be impossible.... As it works in the game, you take contraband to Wolf / The Den and sell it, there is no more too it, a lack luster deal.... Watch tower however added a whole new dimension to it, you need to hold on it, hence the problem... It is questionable if storing "Contraband" in a chest at Starbase or on your ship is any different, what's the cheat hear?... Granted the Mod "Cora replacer as teenager" and using her to smuggle goods has some moral questionable ground but is it really a cheat?.... Ideally watch tower could add crew members that are smugglers, that can hide stuff in your ship.... The true cheat is, because you can dock with your fleet ships you can hide your contraband on them, this is the best current option....I have dumped contraband on the floor at the den & StarBase which works, but this is not a good game practice.... smuggling is law friendly, having proper method of doing it would be good... cheers

I’m all for the smuggling aspect of the game. I’m just annoyed that the same tricks I used previously don’t seem to work. I’m having to readjust my tactics to get the contraband through the net while not getting caught at the same time. I have no complaints about the fact that the Watchtower parts are flagged as contraband; I see it as another facet that encourages me to take a step back and think further outside the box.

 

[Torberg]

I can attest to shielded cargo not helping me evade detection. My shielded cargo capacity well exceeds any negligible weight the Watchtower Parts would add to my cargo load. I’ve tried everything to increase my chances of scan evasion and still get flagged on the cargo scan.

The only way I’m able to land in New Atlantis is by jumping into the system, quickly land at one of my outposts before the scan can conclude, and then fast travel to the Midas player home (mod “sold” separately). I discovered this completely by accident and have been using this to conduct business in New Atlantis while still being in possession of Watchtower Parts.

I've frequently avoided detection, but, I was playing on a character who already did the Crimson Fleet storyline so I have the scan jammer add-on for my ship. That said, even with a Chance to Evade of 89%, you'll still get caught 10% of the time. If I get detected, I boost power to Grav Drive and insta-jump away to find a bounty board in safe space. (Like on Nesoi thanks to the Dream Home trait.)

 

[Bobwalt]

I just like to be able to make things on the fly that’s why I wanted to carry the watchtower parts with me and not have to return to Stardock all the time. Too bad Stardock does not have a permanent marker on the galaxy map or a way to automatically chart a return without having to manually hunt it on the map.

 

[Bobwalt]

As to finding a bounty board, you can install one on your ship. I did that after the mission that forced me to steal an artifact. I am both a Ranger and a Vanguard so I have to set an example. Also, no piracy for me. I truly wish Gren would sell com spikes. Before adding Watchtower I went in and destroyed all the Crimson Fleet ships that were defending their base bit I still could not dock at their station. I could hail them and they would answer I could dock but the game wouldn’t let me.

 

[Geldric]

I just like to be able to make things on the fly that’s why I wanted to carry the watchtower parts with me and not have to return to Stardock all the time. Too bad Stardock does not have a permanent marker on the galaxy map or a way to automatically chart a return without having to manually hunt it on the map.

I dropped a base on Piazzi IV-c for this exact reason (moon where Stardock is located)

 

[mishkazz]

The mod name "Watchtower" stuck out to me straight away, as it is the name of USA religious groups, they have the "Watchtower bible" in real life, hear "Watchtower" is an active religious group... So a little questionable why the mod name. Maybe smuggling is one of those 7 deadly sins...
So our little group pf questionable smuggler racketeers is mostly fine with the contraband idea, however would like a female follower VBB75% (Hey, if your going do one sin, mite as well go all in) with minor ship crew skills, but a key focus in ship board smuggling ... we don't need to know how she doesn't it ..(She is very good hiding stuff on the ship).... she can have side quest, emotional problem, issues, and baggage, however smuggling rating 1 to 4 level.... So any mod author out there, please work your magic... Cheers

 

[victoriaks01]

I find the Watchtower parts being contraband incredibly annoying.

Every time I do anything Watchtower related and loot anything, I now have to either sell the item or not be able to move around freely. I am not using skydrops that often that I need to have 5,000 contraband.

Furthermore, why are these items contraband? The lore suggests a highly secretive organization that is so secretive they don't talk to each other. But their random space debris is known to every faction as illegal to possess? Give me a break.

I'm not sure if things change and you can eventually store this stuff or whatever. Either way, consider making contraband optional or removing it please. What's the point?

It is annoying, perhaps if you are a Ranger or a UC soldier you should be given options such as turning them in for a reward or perhaps evidence and you get to hang on to evidence or store it on the space station. Would be cool IF the Rangers or the UC actually get involved and join in on the fight to the threat. Question is who is calling the shots and tracking the starborn? Are they also starborn but the "deep state" trying to destroy what the ancient prophets foretold.

 

[momopovich]

I personally love watchtower components being contraband

gives a purpose to secret stashes, shielded cargo and contraband skills, for something other than credits that you can get a million other ways.

 

[victoriaks01]

I dropped the contraband on the floor next to the bot on the station but when I went back to alpha centuri apparently was placed back on my ship, would be great IF you had a place to store the contraband on the space station

 

[victoriaks01]

you should have options with contraband, turn it in for credits, keep it as ongoing evidence on a case you're working on IF you're a Ranger or a UC soldier. Of course, an evidence locker would be required