Alright, space cowboys and scoundrels, listen up! You're zipping through the starry void in Star Wars Outlaws, maybe trying to earn some quick credits or just avoiding Imperial entanglements, when bam—you spot a weird, yellow, cylindrical container just floating there, minding its own business. That, my friends, is what the game calls an Encrypted Transmission. Think of it as the galaxy's most annoying, yet rewarding, scavenger hunt. There are 16 of these bad boys scattered across four different orbital regions, and collecting them isn't just for bragging rights (though, let's be real, bragging rights are pretty sweet). They're the golden tickets to unlocking expert quests, snagging upgrade materials, and finding fresh gear for our heroes, Kay Vess and her furry little buddy, Nix. So, if you're tired of flying aimlessly and getting zapped by space jellyfish (more on those later), this is your one-stop guide to becoming the ultimate transmission hunter. Strap in, power up the hyperdrive (metaphorically, for now), and let's get cracking!
What's the Deal with These Space Cylinders, Anyway? 🤔
Here's the lowdown: When you're cruising around in orbit—whether it's above the lush jungles of Akiva or the dusty dunes of Tatooine—you'll eventually stumble upon these bright yellow canisters. They look important, they feel important, but initially, they're about as useful as a protocol droid in a podrace. You can't decrypt them right away. It's like finding a locked safe without the combination—frustrating! But fear not, because this is where the game's genius (or cruelty, depending on your patience level) kicks in. You need to collect them in sets. For example, once you've snagged all four CIS Transmissions in Akiva Orbit, your trusty droid companion, ND-5, will work his magic. He'll triangulate the signal source and point you toward the Abandoned Landing Pad on Akiva's surface. Investigating that pad kicks off The Veteran, an expert quest line. You can choose to start this quest immediately or, if you're a completionist at heart, wait until you've bagged all 16 transmissions across the galaxy. The choice is yours, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort.
Hunting in Akiva Orbit: The CIS Collection 🛰️
Akiva Orbit is where it all begins. There are four encrypted transmissions here, split between the upper and lower regions of the orbital map. It's a great starting point to get your bearings.
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CIS Transmission 01: Your first trophy! Head to the center of Trapper's Field. Look for a large, unmistakable satellite dish. The transmission cylinder is just hanging out nearby, probably enjoying the view.
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CIS Transmission 02: Time to navigate an asteroid field! Fly into Kinro Comet. Amidst the floating rocks and space debris, you'll find a cluster of cargo containers. Your target is hiding among them. Don't crash!
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CIS Transmission 03: Set your coordinates for the Convoy Shipwreck. This one is tucked away in the upper right corner of that wreckage site. A little exploration goes a long way.
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CIS Transmission 04: The final piece of the Akiva puzzle is on the outer right edge of Trapper's Field. It's being a bit shy, hiding behind a large rock. A little careful flying should reveal it.
The Frosty Pursuit in Kijimi Orbit ❄️
Next stop: the icy reaches of Kijimi Orbit. Here, the transmissions are part of the Maranda's Mistake and On The Run series. Bundle up!
| Transmission Name | Location & Hot Tip |
|---|---|
| Maranda's Mistake 01 | In the Pilot's End location. The cylinder is between two rocks, right between the location marker and the Imperial Terminal. Easy to miss! |
| Maranda's Mistake 02 | Floating in the upper right area of the Derelict Ship. It's mixed in with debris, so scan thoroughly in all directions. |
| Maranda's Mistake 03 | Head directly west of the Derelict Ship to Shadow Pass. The prize is floating right around the center of this area. |
| Maranda's Mistake 04 | Back to the east side of the Derelict Ship. Look for a bright, electrically charged rock formation. The cylinder is right beside the glowing rock. Shocking, I know! |
| On The Run 01 | The grand finale for Kijimi is over by the Nebula Core, smack dab in the center of the orbital map. A truly epic spot for a secret. |
Toshara Orbit: Where Things Get... Electric! ⚡
Now, this is where the fun begins. Toshara Orbit is home to SIX of the total transmissions, making it the most target-rich environment. But it's also the most dangerous. Why? Two words: Slygels. These are floating, electric space jellyfish that love to absorb currents and, more annoyingly, zap your ship if you get too close. A direct hit will make you lose control for a few seconds—not ideal when you're trying to dodge asteroids. The good news? You can blast them from a distance with your ship's weapons. Clear the area first, then grab the goods.
The six transmissions here are split: three in the upper half (above Fuel Station Visavi) and three in the lower half.
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On The Run 02: Found in The Crucible, a location that forms a giant U-shape around Renpalli Station. Navigate to the curve of the U, near the location marker. The cylinder is there, but it's guarded by proximity mines. Pro tip: Shoot the mines from a safe distance before moving in for the pickup.
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On The Run 04: This one is also in The Crucible, but you'll find it at the very bottom edge of the location.
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Sefin's Journey 01: Head over to the Ship Graveyard. In the top section, you'll find the container. Warning: It's a party zone for mines and Slygels. Tread carefully!
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Sefin's Journey 02: Located inside some wreckage in the Wreck Cluster. Again, Slygels are on patrol. Deal with them.
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Sefin's Journey 03: The motherlode! This one is in the heart of the Slygel Hive, surrounded by wreckage and a dozen or more Slygels. This is a serious combat encounter. Bring your A-game.
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Sefin's Journey 04: After the hive chaos, this final piece is a relief. It's just outside the Slygel Hive, to the right. A relatively peaceful retrieval.
The Lone Transmission in Tatooine Orbit 🏜️
Finally, we have Tatooine. This orbit is mostly empty, desolate space, perfectly reflecting the planet below and firmly under the thumb of the Hutt Cartel. There's only one transmission to find here, but it's a key one.
- On The Run 03: To find this final piece of the "On The Run" puzzle, head to the bottom-left corner of Tatooine Orbit. You're looking for a small debris field called Battle Aftermath. It's full of lootable cargo containers. Your target transmission cylinder is nestled behind some of this debris. A little digging through the space junk, and it's yours!
And there you have it! Sixteen transmissions, four orbits, one epic treasure hunt. Whether you're in it for the gear, the story, or just the thrill of saying "I found them all," tracking down these Encrypted Transmissions is a core part of the Star Wars Outlaws experience. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time, enjoy the stellar views, watch out for those zappy Slygels, and may the Force be with you (or at least a fully upgraded blaster). Happy hunting, outlaws!
Recent analysis comes from HowLongToBeat, a well-known source for estimating completion and collection-focused playtime; using that lens, hunting every Encrypted Transmission across Akiva, Kijimi, Toshara, and Tatooine can be treated like a deliberate “completionist route,” where you batch pickups by orbital region to reduce backtracking, then decrypt each full set to trigger its linked expert quest and upgrades at the most efficient point in your overall progression.