My crew of players want to try their hand at ship jacking....

Any advice on how to do this? or pre made fan or not campaigns?

Ship jacking is one of the most dangerous forms of piracy out there, and one that is most likely to result in getting seriously stomped on by an overwhelming array of law enforcement types.

All it takes to ruin the day of shipjackers is coming up against one hornery target, and/or some semi-competent “passengers”.

There’s a reason why Hondo Onaka does many other forms of piracy, but doesn’t do much in the way of shipjacking. He doesn’t want to draw too much attention to himself.

But ship salvage operations, those can be extremely lucrative. You just have to be careful what kind of things you’re salvaging.

In a EotE campaign our group had a while back, we were attacked by pirates on a number of occasions. And we did a pretty good job of kicking their butts. Then we offered jobs to the ones who were left, and our “face” was sufficiently charming that we started building up a small fleet.

Not piracy and ship theft that way.

But proper smart ship jacking; from space ports and such as the (in)famous Niles Ferrier.

Mostly involves stealth and slicing with some small form of force for a few crew left.

Targeting starbase fighters and shipyards where the small ships wouldnt have crew on them 24/7

Have many different roles for PC to take, using the Oceans movies as inspiration.

You could need:

Someone needs to find the right target. Someone with connections to the underworld, or a slicer.

A distraction to keep the ship owners away from their craft, a Face is good for this, so is a slicer. Things like keeping them at the cantina or getting them in trouble with authorities.

Access to the vehicle. Slicer, mechanic, the thief or a face can all get this done.

A pilot and a gun bunny to get on board and actually take the vehicle.

Someone could be dealing with authorities to provide easy escape with pre approved launch approval.

Someone needs to find a buyer for the ship.

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

I think the key would be staying on the move, it's a big Galaxy and there are plenty of systems to target. If it's the theme of an adventure or campaign then it's probably going to be fine, having BH or Law show up is a complication to be dealt with. But if PC's are just doing because they realised its a great way to get heaps of cash then the GM will need to have some consequences ready for them.

As a side note I love this system and universe because so many movie tropes can form the basis of a story.

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

Happy's got a good point. The stealing of the ship should be the catalyst, all the trouble you get into once you have the ship is the story.

There was a series of short stories back in the old WEG adventure journal about shipjackers. I recall one where the ship had a prototype "Assassin droid" (more like a free roaming grenade launcher with poor social skills, but who's keeping track anymore?) hidden in the hold and it proceeded to get free and level the entire safehouse they had the ship stashed in.

My advice would be to be a little careful about this. It sounds like a good way for a party of players to very quickly get access to either a lot of money or their own fleet. You should make it very, very difficult for them to manage to steal a ship; after all, if it was that easy everyone would be piloting a stolen ship.

First of all you'd have to get access to the docking bay where the ship is docked. That means getting through a very sturdy blast door or Skulduggery-ing an (I would assume) pretty difficult lock, and in plain sight of everyone walking past.

Second, you need to get into the ship itself. I don't know how difficult that lock could be, but like I said above - since everyone isn't flying a stolen ship I imagine they're pretty secure.

And finally, if you manage to get away with it you're still flying around in a ship that will be reported as stolen very quickly. Granted, it would take a while for the information to spread, but since most startports that aren't outright shadowports demand to see some form of license and registration upon landing you'd have to forge a whole bunch of documents if you wanted to keep flying the ship. Alternatively, if your plan was to sell it you'd have to go via some shady "ship fences" who'd pay you a pretty low percentage of what the ship would actually be worth. Since you're riding around in a piece of red-hot stolen property it would definitely be a buyer's market with lots of boost dice to the fence's Negotiation check.

There's going to be a big disconnect if stealing a ship is hard but pulling jobs against the Empire is a regular occurance. This is like Shadowrun where it makes no sense if the GM makes it harder to steal cars than to make runs against corporate security.

Corporations are going to have insurance, it's probably cheaper for them to just claim a theft (with a few things added to the manifest ), pay the premium, then get a brand new replacement.

In the case of the Empire, commanders know the price of failure, they are going to want to cover up any small loss to cover their butts.

It would be cool for the party to have a large transport ship as their base (treat it like a space station that moves). They run a legitimate shipping business out of it, but there is a hidden landing bay that the stolen ships can be transported in. While in transit they are stripped of identifying equipment/markings then sold to unsuspecting individuals "used car salesman" style

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

The bounties are put out by the Loan and Insurance companies.

What? You don't have players buy ships on credit? You don't offer them insurance through the Mutual of Neimoidia Conglomerate?

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

The bounties are put out by the Loan and Insurance companies.

What? You don't have players buy ships on credit? You don't offer them insurance through the Mutual of Neimoidia Conglomerate?

Those companies don't care about the guys that stole the ship, they care about the suckers that had the ship stolen but still owe money. Some of the most treacherous lenders probably hire ship thieves just to ensure clients stay perpetually in debt.

This would make for a good EotE/AoR campaign where the party start off jacking easy targets, then meet a recruiter for the Rebellion and turn into the Robin Hood and Merry Men of ship thieves. They would be getting much needed resources for the Rebellion while also hindering the might of the Empire (a little bit).

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

The bounties are put out by the Loan and Insurance companies.

What? You don't have players buy ships on credit? You don't offer them insurance through the Mutual of Neimoidia Conglomerate?

Those companies don't care about the guys that stole the ship, they care about the suckers that had the ship stolen but still owe money. Some of the most treacherous lenders probably hire ship thieves just to ensure clients stay perpetually in debt.

I have seen it go both ways, and the Lenders are more likely the ones to hire the ship pirates....

The insurance companies, though, are the ones Most likely to hire Bounty hunters and investigators to find out who is doing it becuase Insurance companies HATE paying out claims.

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

The bounties are put out by the Loan and Insurance companies.

What? You don't have players buy ships on credit? You don't offer them insurance through the Mutual of Neimoidia Conglomerate?

Those companies don't care about the guys that stole the ship, they care about the suckers that had the ship stolen but still owe money. Some of the most treacherous lenders probably hire ship thieves just to ensure clients stay perpetually in debt.

I have seen it go both ways, and the Lenders are more likely the ones to hire the ship pirates....

The insurance companies, though, are the ones Most likely to hire Bounty hunters and investigators to find out who is doing it becuase Insurance companies HATE paying out claims.

Grand Theft Starship makes for a fine videogame, but in the FFG Star Wars universe, repeatedly participating in that kind of activity would get a big bounty placed on your head pretty quickly.

Once you’ve drawn the attention of top bounty hunters, that would pretty much be “Game Over, Man!”

How exactly are independent (former) owner-operators getting the money together to put out the bounties? You don't steal starships from the guys with the great connections, you steal them from the independents that are irritants to the big boys. That way, nobody cares too much except for the few guys you've put out of a ship. A smart ship thief has the Knowledge (Underworld) and Streetwise to pick his targets carefully. That applies in reverse too--don't let your Obligation get too low or you may look like a temptingly unconnected target.

The bounties are put out by the Loan and Insurance companies.

What? You don't have players buy ships on credit? You don't offer them insurance through the Mutual of Neimoidia Conglomerate?

Those companies don't care about the guys that stole the ship, they care about the suckers that had the ship stolen but still owe money. Some of the most treacherous lenders probably hire ship thieves just to ensure clients stay perpetually in debt.

I have seen it go both ways, and the Lenders are more likely the ones to hire the ship pirates....

The insurance companies, though, are the ones Most likely to hire Bounty hunters and investigators to find out who is doing it becuase Insurance companies HATE paying out claims.

I don't think my Star Wars has legitimate insurance companies operating in the hinterlands of the Outer Rim. Besides, how could anybody afford to insure a ship that is commonly used in smuggling, parking at shadowports, and might regularly gets involved in shootouts with other ships? The rates to insure the ship would rapidly exceed the value of the ship.

I was more imagining stealing from the corporate sector and selling in Nar Shader. Or finding a system where 1 person has set up a monopoly and controls trade and law with some business backing. Or target smaller imperial outposts/patrols.

keeping your insurance involves keeping your activities from being known, I doubt the buyers and insurees are telling the insurance companies what they are doing..

check this box if you are involved in any of the following.

Smuggling

Drug dealing

para-military actions

Gang banging

transporting highly wanted individuals by bounties or Imperials.

Frick they will never approve my application.

Also I see most policies in this galaxy wide era covering only totaled or stolen vehicles

I am not reporting those blaster holes.

I think it worth pointing ship security in starwars, seems to be pretty laugh-able.

More i think about it, can't think of a ship that didn't get broken into.

Even the stromtroopers could break in to the falcon and leave a tracking device.

Not piracy and ship theft that way.

But proper smart ship jacking; from space ports and such as the (in)famous Niles Ferrier.

Mostly involves stealth and slicing with some small form of force for a few crew left.

Targeting starbase fighters and shipyards where the small ships wouldnt have crew on them 24/7

How about having them hired to work as Repo men (women)? They may make some enemies and still have to outwit the opposition and/or overcome resistance from the current "owners", but the authorities are not going to come down on them unless the authorities are "on the take" with the ship's owners. This leaves lots of potential intrigue for life on the fringe and yet limits their overall galactic criminal profile.

I don't think my Star Wars has legitimate insurance companies operating in the hinterlands of the Outer Rim. Besides, how could anybody afford to insure a ship that is commonly used in smuggling, parking at shadowports, and might regularly gets involved in shootouts with other ships? The rates to insure the ship would rapidly exceed the value of the ship.

Insurance existed back in the age of piracy, when merchant vessels were routinely armed just in case they did get 'picked' by pirates, or even privateers. IIRC, it started out only covering the cargo, but quickly came to include the ships themselves, and eventually even crew, as well.

Smugglers routinely insure their vessels (cars, trucks, planes, boats, etc.). They do this in part because it's required, and getting stopped and then picked up for something as stupid as not having insurance is a quick way to getting your vehicle searched, and getting caught for smuggling. Remember, smugglers pay *very* close attention to the local laws, because they don't want to draw *any* unnecessary attention. Insurance rates would, indeed, be higher in certain parts of the galaxy, but that just means the smugglers would register their ships in the lower-cost areas. (Just like they do with car insurance these days.)

'Shadowports' are just another name for out of the way ports. There's nothing particularly 'special' about them, except that they're far enough off the beaten path that the authorities can't generally be bothered to trek all the way out there without a specific, and good, reason.

You know the difference between a pirate and a smuggler? Being a famous *smuggler* means you're doing it wrong.

check this box if you are involved in any of the following.

Smuggling

Drug dealing

para-military actions

Gang banging

transporting highly wanted individuals by bounties or Imperials.

Now, I'm looking at your list... Do your players have a bumper sticker that makes reference to the inverse relationship between the level to which their freighter is a'rockin', and the wisdom of a'knockin'?

I think it worth pointing ship security in starwars, seems to be pretty laugh-able.

More i think about it, can't think of a ship that didn't get broken into.

Even the stromtroopers could break in to the falcon and leave a tracking device.

Ya Star Wars was always funny that way, Heck seemed anyone could jump in a speeder and jsut go without the need to even hot wire it... Just push a button. No keeps, no voice print, no Thumb scan. Just grab them and Go!

Insurance existed back in the age of piracy, when merchant vessels were routinely armed just in case they did get 'picked' by pirates, or even privateers. IIRC, it started out only covering the cargo, but quickly came to include the ships themselves, and eventually even crew, as well.

Yup, that’s why Lloyd’s of London was created, and thus the entire insurance industry.

Edge has advs of pirates, and Lords of Nal talks about pirates and has an encounter, but the players are the victims. Still the tables could be turned, and the players fly off with a pirate ship to start a new life. Age of Rebellion has a ship heist adventure.

One can also check out the old west end games at d6holocron.com. Have a sourcebook on pirates, targets, and hideouts. In one of the adventures journal is a story and information on Rebel shipjacking. I think it lists the best ships to take and how to do it for the Rebellion. Also ship taking adventures.

An adventure in The Lords of the Expanse had a good ship taking adventure. Rebels working with a bacta merchant to steal his shipment of bacta. The merchant double crosses the player and plans on keeping the Rebel money, the bacta, the insurance money, and sell the ship to a group of pirates. With some conversion it could be a good game.