I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard that rising Imperial siren in Star Wars Outlaws. It always starts the same way: one small crime, one twitchy stormtrooper, and suddenly the whole garrison wants my head. It’s 2026, and after countless heists across the Outer Rim, I’ve learned that gaining a wanted level is less a question of if and more a question of when.
When you stick it to the Empire, you gain a wanted level. That might happen because you raided a supply convoy, sabotaged an Imperial installation, or simply got caught somewhere you shouldn’t be. Once that heat is on you, existing becomes difficult. Patrols react faster, checkpoints turn hostile, and every street corner seems to hide a scanner.
I made a huge mistake the first time I got a wanted level. I assumed I could jump on my speeder, blast back to the Trailblazer, and leave the planet. Nope. Star Wars Outlaws takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, so the Empire is at the height of its power. They are everywhere. Simply jumping into your ship and bailing off a planet won’t reduce your wanted level. You need to cover your tracks. The Empire will find you unless you make yourself disappear or buy yourself a second chance.
So how do I lose the heat? Over dozens of runs, I’ve found a few reliable methods.
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🕐 Lay low. If I’m not actively in combat, I can find a quiet spot, keep out of sight, and wait. Eventually the Empire reduces my wanted level. It’s not flashy, but it works when you’re low on options.
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💰 Bribe a corrupted Imperial officer. Credits make the galaxy go round. A corrupt officer can clear my name quickly, assuming I have enough credits to grease the right palms.
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💀 Maxed wanted level. If I max out my heat, a squad of Death Troopers lands nearby. Their camp has a terminal. If I can get to it and access the terminal, I can clear my name, though by that point I’m usually fighting for my life.
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🛰️ Access an Imperial satellite in orbit. When I’m not in combat, I can use an orbiting Imperial satellite to clear my name. It’s a calmer, cleaner way to drop the heat if I can reach the interface safely.
The longer I stay wanted, the more dangerous things get. As my wanted level increases, the Empire puts more resources into tracking me down. That means more enemies, better patrols, and tougher opponents. Enemy difficulty rises alongside the heat. Balancing that attention is vital if I want to stay in one piece. I’ve lost more than one heist because I got greedy and let my wanted level climb too high.
Last week, I took a job on Toshara that went sideways. I had a low wanted level after lighting a fuse in an Imperial depot. I thought I could ride it out by hiding in an old cantina, but then a patrol droid got a whiff of me. I ended up bribing a corrupt Imperial officer in a back alley, which cost more credits than the job paid. It was bitter, but alive is better than right.
Here’s my personal playbook:
| Situation | Best Move |
|---|---|
| Low heat, not in combat | Lay low until the Empire loses interest |
| Moderate heat, credits available | Bribe a corrupted Imperial officer |
| Max heat, Death Troopers inbound | Sneak to their camp and access the terminal |
| Heat but orbit access possible | Use an Imperial satellite while not in combat |
That table has saved my neck more times than I can count. The most important lesson is this: running away to another planet is not a fix. The Empire’s reach is too wide. You have to actively reduce the wanted level, not just run from it.
Now that I know how to reduce my Star Wars Outlaws wanted level, I can willfully go about my scoundrel business. I still keep one eye on the exit, because things get hairy fast. There’s nothing quite like the moment the sirens fade and the Empire finally loses your trail. Then I’m free to plan the next heist, the next double-cross, and the next narrow escape. In this galaxy, the Empire never forgets—but with the right tricks, you can make them look the other way.