Bored of hauling biowaste or running mundane delivery missions? Then welcome to the thrilling world of piracy in Elite Dangerous. Done right, piracy offers not just a great adrenaline rush but also some surprisingly solid credit potential. This guide will walk you through building a proper piracy ship, finding high-value targets, executing smooth interdictions, extracting loot, and safely fencing your haul for profit — all without needing engineered parts or special experience.

Let’s dive into the black.

Step 1: Build Your Pirate Ship

There’s a wide variety of ships you can use for piracy, from nimble Cobras to heavy-duty Anacondas. Links to pre-built piracy loadouts (via Coriolis) are recommended in the original video, but feel free to modify the setups to match your personal style.

Essential modules you’ll want:

• Frame Shift Drive Interdictor – To pull targets out of supercruise.
• Hatch Breaker Limpet Controller – To forcibly open cargo hatches.
• Collector Limpet Controller – To gather spilled cargo safely.
• Manifest Scanner – To check if a ship is carrying valuables.
• Seeker Missiles – For disabling engines without destroying the ship.

For weapons, burst lasers are a strong choice. They strike a good balance between damage and power draw.

Note: Engineering is not required. You can absolutely enjoy piracy — and earn from it — with stock builds.

Step 2: Configure Fire Groups

Before heading out, configure your fire groups so that you can toggle between:

• Lasers
• Interdictor
• Missiles
• Hatch Breakers
• Collectors

Everyone sets these differently, but having quick access to all your tools is crucial.

Step 3: Choose the Right System

If you’re just pirating for fun, go anywhere. But if you want actual profits, location matters.

• Ideal targets: NPCs hauling low temperature diamonds.
• Ideal systems:
  • Must have high industrial traffic.
  • Should not have planetary rings.
  • Best if it’s an Anarchy system — no security forces to interfere.

Recommended systems:

• GLE 3897 B
• Frog

Once there, dock at the largest station and stock up on limpets before heading out.

Step 4: Finding and Identifying Targets

1. Go into supercruise and stay near the main station.
2. Watch the contacts panel (left-side HUD) for NPC mining vessels (Type-9, Cobra MkIII, etc.).
3. Once you find a candidate, scan them by pointing your nose at them for a few seconds.
4. Check the target panel:
   • Scroll through modules.
   • If they have a Refinery, they’re likely carrying low temperature diamonds.
   • No refinery? Skip them and keep looking.

Step 5: Interdict and Disable the Target

1. Line up behind the target and engage your Frame Shift Drive Interdictor.
2. In the mini-game, keep your ship’s nose inside the targeting circle. Use blue zone throttle (75%) for better control.
3. After a successful interdiction, deploy hardpoints and immediately target their shields with lasers.
4. Once shields drop, target the drive module in the module list (this disables their engines).
5. Get behind the target and fire Seeker Missiles until their drive hits 0%.

Step 6: Slow the Target for Cargo Extraction

This is the trickiest part and requires finesse:

• Line up your travel vector with the drifting target.
• Use vertical thrusters to approach from below.
• Boost past them, then slow down.
• Let the target crash into your ship. This slows them to a crawl. (Use 4 pips to Systems to absorb damage.)
• If they bounce away quickly, repeat the maneuver.

Once they’re slow enough:

• Open your cargo hatch.
• Align your ship again and match speed.
• Fire a Hatch Breaker Limpet.
• Deploy Collector Limpets to gather the diamonds.
• Use your Manifest Scanner to monitor remaining cargo.

Once the target is empty — congratulations, you’re a pirate!

Step 7: Selling Stolen Goods Safely

Your diamonds will be marked as stolen. That means:

• Legal markets won’t buy them.
• If scanned, you’ll get a bounty.

You have two options:

Option A: Sell at a Local Black Market

• Find one at the main station in your anarchy system.
• It’s easy and safe, but prices are lower.

Option B: Use Inara to Find Better Prices

1. Go to Inara.cz.
2. Select Commodities > I want to sell.
3. Search for Low Temperature Diamonds.
4. Set your current system.
5. Sort by best price.
6. Look for:
   • Stations with a black market (skull icon).
   • Stations with high demand (more than your cargo count).

Tip: You won’t get the full price listed on Inara — stolen goods sell at a discount — but it’s still much better than local anarchy pricing.

Smuggling Into a Non-Anarchy Station

If the best station is in a lawful system:

• Request docking far from the station.
• Approach fast and avoid patrol ships.
• Activate Silent Running to reduce your heat signature.
• Once docked, go to Contacts > Black Market to sell.

Final Notes and Thoughts

Piracy is more about fun than profit — but the payout isn’t bad either. Disabling ships, stealing diamonds, and outsmarting security is as exciting as Elite gets. The process is slow at first, but once you get into the rhythm, it’s a thrilling loop.

Just remember: piracy isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Elite Dangerous is all about choice. If piracy doesn’t click with you, maybe the next guide will.

Until then — stay sharp, keep your limpets stocked, and hold on to your space legs. This is Commander Deiri, signing off from the shadows of the black.