Star Wars Outlaws is full of mini-games, but players should learn the best strategies for using the Slicer and how to upgrade it.
One of the biggest trends when it comes to AAA action titles in recent years is packing them full of mini-games. Sometimes this works out well. The Witcher 3’s Gwent was popular enough that it became a standalone game. Other times, like with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there are so many mini-games that it becomes disruptive to the actual game that people paid for.
Ubisoft’s splashy licensed game strikes a good medium. Players can sit down for Sabacc or step up to arcade cabinets if they desire. Meanwhile, lockpicking and hacking throw players into a mini-game that can break up the monotony. But how do players actually use the Slicer and what are the best techniques for victory?
How to use the Slicer
The Slicer is a type of hacking in Star Wars Outlaws that plays out in the form of a puzzle.
This puzzle is, essentially, a simplified version of popular online word game Wordle. The Slicer follows the same exact formula, with players being given a set number of characters that need to be placed in a specific order.
After putting in a set of characters, or symbols in this case, players see whether the characters are part of the solution. In Star Wars Outlaws’ Slicer mini-game, a yellow symbol means that the symbol is in the solution but is put in the wrong spot, blue means it’s placed correctly, and red means it’s not part of the solution.
The number of symbols to work with and in the solution varies based on the computer being hacked.
One of the key differences between using the Slicer and Wordle is that once a symbol is put into the correct spot in the solution, that spot is locked. This is convenient to some degree but is actually a disadvantage. Players are best served by running through symbols quickly to figure out which are in the solution. Having a space locked removes this possibility.
Best strategy for using the Slicer in Star Wars Outlaws
The best strategy when using the Slicer is to place as many symbols as possible, as quickly as possible.
The most important part of completing a game like this is figuring out which symbols are in the solution. This is best done by placing different symbols each turn until figuring out all the symbols in the solution. From there, it’s easy enough to decipher where the out-of-position symbols are meant to be placed.
How to upgrade the Slicer
Star Wars Outlaws players can upgrade their Slicer by completing a questline that starts in the Mirogana cantina.
After advancing in the story to the point where players get the quest-fixing Ion Blaster and get access to the Trailblazer, a new set of sidequests becomes available. This one starts by visiting the Mirogana Cantina, where Kay first meets Gorak.
Walk around the bar and find the spot where Kay can “lean.” After she starts leaning against the bar, she will eavesdrop on a pair of Pyke Syndicate members. They will discuss tracking down a Slicer named Aila Bren, starting a side quest about tracking her down. Kay will need to sneak into restricted Crimson Dawn territory, then into an Imperial base.
Help Aila Bren to receive the Slicer upgrade and to have an easier time hacking for the remainder of Star Wars Outlaws.
