You’re stuck. You’ve been staring at that red barrier or a high-security terminal in a Pyke Syndicate stronghold for ten minutes, and Kay Vess just doesn't have the gear to bypass it. This is usually the moment players realize they've been neglecting the most crucial part of the progression system. Forget your blaster for a second. In Star Wars Outlaws, the Slicer is the game-changer you actually need to survive the early hours.
Aila Bren isn’t just some random NPC tucked away in a cantina. She’s the Expert who unlocks the Slicing Kit, and without her, you’re basically playing the game with one hand tied behind your back. Most people think they can just power through the main story missions and ignore these side "Experts," but that is a massive mistake.
Getting the Slicer: It’s Not Just a Simple Side Quest
To start the quest for the Slicer in Star Wars Outlaws, you have to listen to rumors in Mirogana. Specifically, you’re looking for a lead at Makal’s Gambling Parlor. It’s smoky, loud, and full of the kind of people Kay Vess probably shouldn't trust. But that's the job. You’ll hear about a master slicer who’s been causing trouble for the Empire.
Honestly, the mission itself—"The Slicer"—is a bit of a difficulty spike if you aren't careful. You have to head to an Imperial Forward Base on Toshara. This isn't a stroll. If you go in guns blazing, you’re going to get overwhelmed by stormtroopers faster than you can say "thermal detonator." Stealth is your best friend here. Or, more accurately, Nix is your best friend.
Aila is trapped inside the base, but she won't just leave with you. She’s got a job to finish. This leads to a frantic sequence where you have to steal a code sequencer from a highly guarded technician's area. It’s tense. It’s frustrating if you trip an alarm. But the payoff? It’s arguably the best in the game. Once you help Aila, she becomes one of your Experts, and the Slicing Kit is yours.
Why the Slicing Kit Changes Everything
Before you meet Aila, slicing is a chore. You’re playing a rhythmic mini-game that can feel a bit repetitive. Once you get the Slicing Kit, the game introduces "Energy." Think of it like a mana bar for hacking.
You can now use "Jokers." These are basically cheats for the slicing mini-game. If you’re down to your last few attempts and the sequence isn't clicking, a Joker can bypass a slot or clear out incorrect nodes. It turns a stressful moment into a "gotcha" moment against the Empire.
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But it’s more than just a mini-game upgrade. The Slicer tree unlocks specific abilities that change how you interact with the world:
- Slicing Kit: The base tool. Essential.
- Sneaky Snaring: This lets you trap alarm panels. Imagine a stormtrooper running to call for reinforcements, only for the console to blow up in his face. It’s hilarious. It’s also a life-saver.
- X-PD-88 Data Spike: This speeds things up.
- Concussive Smoke: Makes your smoke bombs actually stun people.
The "Sneaky Snaring" ability is what I want to highlight. In Star Wars Outlaws, the alarm system is punishing. Once those sirens go off, the difficulty ramps up exponentially. Being able to sabotage the very system meant to catch you is the ultimate power trip for a scoundrel.
The Reality of the Toshara Imperial Base
Let’s talk about that mission again because people get lost. The Imperial Forward Base is a fortress. You’ll find Aila near the back, but the path is crawling with scouts.
Here is a tip: use the vents. Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment loves a good vent. There’s a specific path on the left side of the base that lets you bypass almost the entire courtyard. If you try to walk through the front gate, even with a stolen uniform (which you don't have yet), you’re toast.
When you finally reach Aila, she’s perched up high, hacking away. She doesn't need a rescue; she needs a partner. You have to climb the central tower to plant a device. This is where the game’s verticality shines. You’re swinging from grappling points while TIE Fighters screech overhead. It feels like Star Wars. It feels like the stakes are actually high.
Addressing the Slicing Mini-game Frustration
I’ve seen a lot of talk online about the slicing mini-game being "too hard" or "annoying." If you feel that way, you likely haven't spent enough time in Aila’s progression tree.
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The Slicer’s abilities are designed to mitigate that frustration. By the time you unlock the third or fourth node in her path, you aren't even thinking about the puzzle anymore. You’re just flowing through it. It becomes an extension of Kay’s character—she’s getting better, and so are you.
Also, check your settings. If the rhythm-based hacking really isn't your thing, the game does have accessibility options to tweak the difficulty. No shame in it. But try the Slicer upgrades first. They make the "in-universe" solution much more satisfying.
The Long-Term Value of Aila Bren
Aila isn't just a one-and-done character. To unlock her higher-tier abilities, you have to complete specific challenges. This isn't just "kill 10 enemies." It’s "slice 3 devices without failing" or "use Nix to distract an enemy while you slice."
This forces you to actually play like a slicer. It’s a clever bit of ludonarrative harmony. You aren't just clicking a menu to get stronger; you’re proving to Aila (and the game) that you’ve mastered the craft.
The "Slicing Expert" trophy/achievement is tied to this, but the real reward is the Credits. Slicing into private terminals in cities like Mirogana or Kijimi City yields thousands of Credits. In the mid-game, when ship upgrades start costing a fortune, those hacked terminals are your primary income source.
Stop Skipping Expert Intel
The biggest mistake I see players making in Star Wars Outlaws is treating the Expert Intel like standard side quests. They aren't. They are the progression system. There is no traditional "Level Up" screen where you put points into Strength or Agility.
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If you want to be better at stealth, you find the Slicer.
If you want to be better at combat, you find the Mercenary.
If you want to be a better pilot, you find the Mechanic.
The Slicer should be your first priority after leaving the initial "tutorial" phase of Toshara. The moment the map opens up and you have your speeder, go find Aila. The ability to trap alarms alone is worth the thirty-minute detour.
What to Do Next
Go to your Journal right now. Look under the "Experts" tab. If "The Slicer" isn't there, fly to Toshara and start talking to the bartenders. Look for the "Expert Intel" marker.
Once you have the quest:
- Stock up on Bacta Vials. You might take a few hits in the Imperial base.
- Upgrade Nix’s abilities. Specifically, make sure he can fetch items from a distance. It helps when you need to grab the code sequencer without being seen.
- Don’t rush the hack. Use your Jokers once you get the kit. They recharge, so there's no point in hoarding them like some rare potion in an RPG.
Slicing is the heartbeat of a scoundrel’s toolkit. Without Aila Bren, you’re just a girl with a blaster and a cute pet. With her, you’re a ghost in the Imperial machine. Go get that kit.