Kay Vess isn’t exactly the galaxy's most refined hero. She’s a scoundrel. She’s messy. And honestly, her journey through the underworld of Star Wars Outlaws reflects that perfectly, especially when you’re hunting down the Experts who grant you those sweet, game-changing abilities. If you’ve spent any time on Mirogana, you’ve probably heard whispers about the Slicer. This isn't just a random NPC you bump into at a cantina; Aila Bren is the key to unlocking the Slicing Kit, which basically turns the game's hacking minigame from a headache into a breeze. But here is the thing: finding the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter is a bit of a trek that requires more than just following a waypoint.
You’re going to need to get your hands dirty in the Imperial territory.
Most players get stuck because they expect a clear path. The game doesn't really do that. Instead, it expects you to navigate the verticality of the maps and use Nix for more than just stealing credits from unsuspecting stormtroopers. If you’re looking for Aila, you’re looking for a contact who is currently deep in hot water with the Empire.
Why the Slicer Intel Actually Matters
You can’t just walk up to the Slicer’s front door. First, you have to trigger the "The Slicer" quest. This usually happens by chatting with bartenders or overhearing conversations in Mirogana’s darker corners—specifically Makal’s Gambling Parlor. Once you have the lead, the game points you toward a contact named Arlo.
Arlo is hanging out in a Crimson Dawn-controlled area, which is your first real test of stealth or combat, depending on how much you enjoy shooting your way out of problems. He’ll tell you that Aila is stuck inside an Imperial forward base. This is where the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter comes into play. It isn't her permanent home; it’s more like a temporary hideout and a mission objective rolled into one. You aren't just looking for a building. You’re looking for a way to infiltrate a heavily guarded Imperial zone without getting Kay’s face plastered on a "Wanted" poster immediately.
The Slicing Kit you get from this mission is non-negotiable. Without it, you're stuck using basic data spikes, which are fine for early-game lockers but absolute garbage when you’re trying to break into high-security vaults. The Kit introduces the "Joplin" energy mechanic, allowing you to bypass more complex subroutines.
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Getting to the Shelter: The Path Through the Imperial Base
The actual Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter is located within the Imperial territory in the Southern Mirage on Toshara. If you look at your map, it’s that big, menacing red zone. Don't just ride your speeder through the front gate unless you want to see how fast an AT-ST can turn you into space dust.
The Stealth Approach
Instead of the main road, look for the cliffs. There’s a specific climbing path to the left of the main entrance. You’ll see the tell-tale white scratches on the rocks—Ubisoft’s universal language for "climb here." Once you’re up, you’ll find a vent. Vents are a scoundrel's best friend.
Inside the base, the atmosphere shifts. It’s quiet, clinical, and full of stormtroopers who clearly haven't had their Caf yet. Your goal is the technician's bay. You'll need to use Nix to trigger shutters or distract guards while you move between crates. Aila isn't sitting in a jail cell; she’s effectively trapped in a maintenance area she was trying to sabotage.
The Combat Reality
Look, sometimes stealth fails. Maybe you misjudged a patrol route. If the alarms go off, the "shelter" becomes a kill box. The Imperial guards here use heavy repeaters, and the tight corridors of the base make it hard to maneuver. If you’re going loud, make sure your Blaster’s Plasma module is ready. It shreds shields, and you're going to see a lot of them here.
Inside the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter
When you finally reach the designated area, you’ll find Aila Bren. She’s sharp, cynical, and exactly what you’d expect from a master hacker. She won’t just leave with you, though. Scoundrels always have a "one more thing" clause. She needs you to plant a transceiver on the roof of the base to complete her hack against the Empire.
This is the part where most people get turned around. The shelter area has a ladder leading to an upper level. You have to navigate the rafters. It feels very Uncharted, but with more blasters. Once you're on the roof, you’ll have to deal with a few more guards and a turret.
Pro tip: Use Nix to disable the alarm panel on the roof before you start the hack. If you don't, the moment you plug in that transceiver, every stormtrooper in a five-mile radius is going to start sprinting toward your position.
The Reward: Is Aila Worth the Trouble?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
By completing the mission at the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter, you unlock Aila as an Expert. This opens up a whole new tree of abilities that make the rest of the game significantly more manageable.
- The Slicing Kit: Obviously the big prize. It makes the rhythm-based hacking game way more forgiving.
- Sneaky Trap: Allows you to booby-trap alarm panels. There is nothing more satisfying than watching a stormtrooper try to call for backup only to get blasted by their own console.
- Lightfoot: This is a passive buff that makes your crouch-walking quieter. In a game where stealth is 60% of the gameplay loop, this is essential.
Aila also eventually gives you the ability to slice into Imperial terminals to lower your Wanted level. This is the only way to effectively clear your name if you’ve angered the Empire enough to have Death Troopers hunting you down. Without the skills earned from the Slicer's questline, you're basically playing the game on "Extra Hard" mode without meaning to.
Common Misconceptions About Toshara Slicing
A lot of players think they can skip the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter and just buy better gear later. You can't. Expert skills are the backbone of Kay's progression. You can have the best blaster parts in the Outer Rim, but if you can't get through a door, you aren't getting the loot.
Another mistake is trying to find the shelter too early. If you haven't talked to the right people in Mirogana, the Imperial base will be locked down tight, or Aila simply won't be there. The game triggers these world states based on your Intel log. If your log says "Search for the Slicer," you're good to go. If it’s empty, go talk to some bartenders.
Survival Tactics for the Imperial Territory
The area surrounding the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter is crawling with scout troopers on 74-Z speeder bikes. They are fast, annoying, and their blasters have surprisingly good range. If you’re traveling to the southern Mirage, stay off the main paths. The tall grass is your friend.
If you get spotted, don't just run in a straight line. Use the rock formations to break line of sight. Toshara’s wind-sculpted landscape is perfect for losing pursuers. Also, keep an eye on your speeder's health. One well-placed shot from a scout trooper can disable your engine, leaving you stranded in the middle of a desert full of people who want to arrest you.
Essential Gear Check
Before heading out, make sure you have:
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- Ion Module: Essential for droids and shields inside the base.
- Nix Treats: Specifically the ones that increase Nix's distraction range.
- Smoke Bombs: For when you inevitably get cornered in a hallway.
Moving Forward After the Slicer
Once you’ve cleared the Star Wars Outlaws Slicers Shelter and secured Aila’s help, the galaxy opens up. You’ll notice that many of the "Locked" icons on your map are now accessible. Those red chests in Syndicate territories? Yours for the taking. The encrypted data pads in Imperial outposts? Easy pickings.
The Slicer is just the beginning. Star Wars Outlaws is built on these Expert connections. Each one, from the Mechanic to the Mercenary, requires a similar "heist" to unlock. But Aila is arguably the most important one to get early. She provides the utility that allows you to fund the rest of your adventures.
If you find yourself stuck, check your Intel menu. Sometimes the game updates a lead with a specific coordinate that doesn't trigger a waypoint on your HUD until you're within 100 meters. Scour the Southern Mirage, look for the Imperial flag, and remember—if it looks like a vent, you should probably be crawling through it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Intel Log: Ensure "The Slicer" quest is active before heading to the Southern Mirage.
- Upgrade your Speed: If you haven't upgraded your speeder's boost, do it now; the trek to the Imperial base is long and dangerous.
- Practice the Nix Distract: You’ll need to chain distractions to get past the two-man guard posts inside the shelter area.
- Locate the Technician's Keycard: It’s usually on a desk in the room adjacent to the main hangar—you’ll need this to reach Aila without blowing the doors open.
- Clear your Wanted Level: Before starting the mission, visit a corrupt Imperial officer or a slicing terminal to ensure you aren't starting the mission with heat on your back.