You’re broke on Toshara. It happens to the best of us. You’ve spent your last few hundred credits on a speeder upgrade or maybe a round of Sabacc that went south because you didn't trust Nix enough to cheat. Now, you’re looking at your inventory and wondering how Kay Vess is supposed to survive the Outer Rim without a heavy purse. This is where counterfeit credits Star Wars Outlaws players often look for first, because, let’s be honest, being a "lawful" scoundrel is a contradiction in terms.
The game doesn't just hand you wealth. It makes you earn it through dirt, sweat, and a fair bit of deception.
Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment built a world where the economy feels as lived-in as a crusty cantina seat. You aren't just looting chests; you’re engaging in a complex ecosystem of syndicates, from the Pykes to the Crimson Dawn. Dealing with fake currency isn't just a flavor text detail—it’s a gameplay loop that can either skyrocket your reputation or leave you staring down the barrel of a blaster. Honestly, it’s one of the most immersive parts of the whole experience.
The Reality of Counterfeit Credits Star Wars Outlaws Scams
Most players encounter the concept of fraudulent currency early on. You'll find items in the world—sometimes literally labeled as "Counterfeit Credits"—that act as high-value sellables. Unlike the standard currency used to buy a new jacket or a blaster cooling cell, these are physical objects in your inventory. You can't just spend them at a vending machine. You have to find someone willing to take them.
This brings up the first major hurdle.
Not every merchant is a fool. In Star Wars Outlaws, the merchants have varying levels of "awareness." If you try to offload a stack of fake chips to a high-end vendor in a heavily policed Imperial zone, you might find the sell price is insulting. Or worse, they won't touch them. You have to find the "shady" vendors—the ones tucked away in the back alleys of Mirogana or the dusty corners of Wayfar.
Why You Can't Just Print Money
It’s tempting to think there’s a "glitch" or an infinite farm for these things. Early after launch, players were hunting for specific Respawn points for smugglers' caches. While you can find specific loot orbits that refresh, the developers were smart. They tied the value of your haul to your syndicate standing.
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If you're in good with the Crimson Dawn, their specialized fencers will give you a much better rate for "hot" items, including those counterfeit batches. If they hate you? Good luck. You’ll be lucky to get 20% of the item's face value. It creates this constant tension. Do you sell now because you’re desperate for that Ion Blaster upgrade? Or do you hold onto the fakes until you’ve run enough missions for Qi'ra's people to get the "preferred" exchange rate?
Finding the Best Stashes
You want the loot. I get it. To find the highest density of counterfeit credits, you need to stop looking at the main map icons and start looking at the environment. Look for the "Smuggler’s Symbols." These are little yellow scratches on walls, often near vents or climbable pipes.
- Toshara’s Hidden Valleys: There’s a specific cave system north of the Amberine cliffs. It’s crawling with bandits, but the back room contains a lockbox that almost always yields counterfeit valuables.
- The Pyke Strongholds: Riskier, obviously. But the Pykes are notorious for running spice and fake currency. Stealing from their vaults is the fastest way to fill your pockets, provided you don't mind a death mark on your head.
- Space Debris: Don't ignore the Trailblazer segments. Flying through the orbit of Akiva often reveals cargo containers floating in the wreckage of freighter battles. These frequently contain "Laundering Data" or fake credits that can be traded once you land.
It’s a grind. A fun one, but a grind nonetheless.
The Reputation Tax
Here is the thing nobody tells you: selling counterfeit credits can actually affect your "heat" if you're not careful. While the game doesn't have a "police arrest" mechanic specifically for selling one fake coin, being caught in restricted areas while carrying "Contraband" (which counterfeit credits are categorized as) increases the stakes of an Imperial search.
If the Empire stops you for a scan and your bag is full of fraudulent Imperial Credits, they aren't going to let you go with a warning.
Negotiating with Fencers
When you meet a fencer, you often have a dialogue choice or a passive bonus based on your gear. Certain charms—like the ones you get from the "Slicing" questlines—actually increase the credits you receive from selling illicit goods.
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I’ve seen players complain that the economy is "too grindy." They’re usually the ones selling their counterfeit goods to the first merchant they see. Stop doing that. It’s a waste. You’re leaving thousands of credits on the table. Save your illicit goods for the faction that currently loves you the most. The difference between "Poor" standing and "Excellent" standing can be as much as a 35% price bump. That’s the difference between buying a ship engine upgrade now or having to run three more missions.
Beyond the Fakes: Maximizing Your Income
If you're looking for counterfeit credits Star Wars Outlaws provides, you're clearly interested in the "fast" money. But let’s look at the broader picture of the scoundrel economy.
Slicing is your best friend.
Every terminal you find isn't just a way to open a door. It's a bank account. If you get good at the slicing minigame (the one with the symbols and the rhythmic beeping), you can siphon credits directly from Imperial or Syndicate accounts. This is "clean" money. It spends everywhere.
Then there’s the Sabacc table. Honestly, Sabacc is where the real whales play. If you’ve mastered the "Cheat" mechanics with Nix, you can turn a few hundred credits into thousands in a single sitting. Just don't get caught. If the players at the table realize you’re using a Nix distraction to swap cards, you’re going to have a very short, very violent afternoon.
Common Misconceptions
- "Counterfeit credits are a separate currency": False. They are an inventory item you sell for real credits.
- "You can use them to bribe guards": Not directly. You bribe guards with the "real" credits you get from selling the fakes.
- "They disappear if you die": Only if you lose your "unsecured" loot. Always make sure to visit a vendor after a big haul to lock in those gains.
The Most Effective Farming Route
If you really want to optimize, start on Akiva. The dense jungle makes it easy to lose Imperial patrols.
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- Hit the Research Stations: These often have "Confiscated Goods" lockers.
- Use the Hydro-Repulsor: Get your speeder over the water to reach the small islands. These are rarely patrolled and often hold the best smuggler caches.
- Return to Kijimi: The merchants in the Thieves' Quarter there have some of the best base rates for counterfeit items, regardless of your syndicate standing.
It’s about the loop. Fly, loot, dodge, sell.
Kay Vess isn't a hero. She’s a survivor. And in the Star Wars universe, survival costs money. The developers did a great job making you feel the weight of every credit. When you finally afford that heavy blaster upgrade that lets you punch through stormtrooper armor, you know it was paid for with a mountain of fake coins and a lot of narrow escapes.
Practical Steps for the Aspiring Smuggler
To truly dominate the economy and make the most of those counterfeit finds, you need a plan.
First, prioritize the "Negotiator" gear set. It’s not the flashiest armor in the game, but the passive bonuses to merchant prices are essential for a high-turnover playstyle.
Second, focus your initial reputation efforts on a single syndicate. It’s tempting to try and be friends with everyone, but "Good" standing with three groups is worse than "Excellent" standing with one. Pick the Crimson Dawn or the Pykes early. Get that discount. Get that sell-price bonus.
Third, keep an eye on your "Intel" menu. Often, you’ll overhear NPCs in cantinas talking about a "bad shipment" or a "lost freighter." These aren't just world-building fluff; they actually mark locations on your map where high-value items, including counterfeit credit piles, are spawned.
Finally, don't be afraid to use Nix to pickpocket everyone you pass. It’s small change, but those small amounts add up to the "real" money you need to pay off the fencers who are laundering your fake goods.
The Outer Rim is a harsh place. If you aren't cheating, you aren't trying. Go find those caches, squeeze the fencers for every credit, and keep your speeder gassed up. The next big score is always just one heist away.