How I Unlocked All 9 Experts in Star Wars Outlaws

It’s 2026, and I still can’t get enough of Star Wars Outlaws. The galaxy’s seedy underbelly, Kay Vess’s scrappy charm, and that one big heist that everyone talks about – it all pulled me back in for another run. But this time, I knew something I hadn’t fully appreciated two years ago: if you don’t track down the Experts scattered across the planets, you’re basically flying blind. Kay can hold her own in a blaster fight, but without the unique Abilities these mentors teach, the journey feels like trying to slice a terminal with a hydrospanner.

So I set myself a challenge – unlock every single Expert as early as possible and see how much Kay’s potential could truly explode. Are there really nine of them? Yes, and each one reshapes the way you play. Some come to you naturally, while others demand you dig deep into side paths. But is it worth it? Let me walk you through my journey, and you can be the judge.

The First Step: Bartender in the Cantina

I’ll never forget the first time I booted up the game back in 2024 and saw that Bartender. At first, I thought she was just background chatter. But she’s actually your gateway Expert, unlocked by default right from the start. No quest required – she’s ready to share her wisdom the moment you walk into that cantina. I remember staring at the Abilities menu and thinking, “That’s it? Just one?” Little did I know that this was only the beginning.

The Real Work Begins: Mechanic and Slicer

After a few story beats, you hit the ‘New Tricks’ Main Quest. I almost skipped it to chase some credits, but a friend in the forums told me I’d be missing out on two Experts for the price of one. The Mechanic and the Slicer both unlock here. Once you complete that quest, suddenly Kay gains abilities that let her buff her speeder and crack security terminals with a finesse I hadn’t dreamed of. I honestly felt a little foolish for waiting. Why wouldn’t you grab these right away?

The Scavenger and the Droidsmith

Then came ‘The Droidsmith’ Main Quest, which unlocked the Scavenger. I was cruising along, thinking I had all the help I needed, when a crew member on Akiva mentioned a Scavenger who could make Nix more effective in the field. Nix – my little merqaal companion – was already adorable, but with this Expert’s abilities, he became a powerhouse. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Nix distract an entire squad while Kay slips away like a ghost. That made me realize: even the side content in this game has teeth.

Digging Deeper: The Veteran

Now here’s where the game tests your patience. The Veteran isn’t handed to you on a quest platter. I had to fly into orbit and raid yellow containers to find two CIS Transmissions. I spent hours scanning debris fields and dodging Imperial patrols just for those data packets. But when that encrypted message finally pinged, a new docking point lit up on Akiva, and the Veteran was waiting. The reward? Abilities that boost Kay’s max health and blowback resistance. Was it tedious? Absolutely. Did it save my skin in the final heist? More times than I can count.

Kijimi’s Secret: The Mercenary

When I first landed on Kijimi, the freezing winds bit hard, and I nearly skipped talking to the bartender in the Domak Recovery. Big mistake. That casual conversation unlocked the Mercenary Expert – a grizzled fighter whose moves let Kay take down enemies with brutal efficiency. I remember laughing at the advice I almost ignored: “Always chat with the locals.” This game rewards curiosity, and the Mercenary proved it.

The Heavy Road: Gunslinger

Completing ‘The Heavy’ Main Quest gave me the Gunslinger, and I’ll tell you, Kay with a blaster never felt the same after that. The draw-speed improvements and accuracy perks made me rethink every firefight. I’d always leaned on stealth, but the Gunslinger whispered in my ear, “Sometimes you just have to shoot first.” With this Expert’s abilities, I started winning confrontations I used to run from.

Favor with the Hutt: Hotfixer

During the ‘Jabba’s Favor’ Main Quest, the Hotfixer unlocked without much fanfare. But don’t let the quiet entrance fool you – this Expert’s talents with electronics and system overrides made slicing segments a breeze. I used to dread those timed mini-games, but after a session with the Hotfixer, I was cracking codes so fast I felt like a true scoundrel.

A High Roller’s Welcome: Akiva’s Cantina

Finally, when I first set foot on Akiva’s lush surface, I remembered my lesson from Kijimi and went straight to the cantina. The bartender there pointed me to the Highroller Expert. This one teaches Kay how to charm and deceive, opening up dialogue options and alternative solutions I’d never considered. Honestly, after finding the Highroller, I started seeing the galaxy differently – every conversation became a potential heist.

Tracking It All

Once you meet these requirements, it’s not over. You have to actually complete the expert quests. I constantly opened my Journal and flipped to the Expert Intel tab. There, the game lays out each Expert’s initial quest like a trail of breadcrumbs. Finish that first mission, and the associated Abilities unlock in the menu. I can’t stress enough how much this streamlined my second playthrough. I went from struggling street thief to galactic legend, all because I chased these mentors.

Worth the Effort?

So, is it worth hunting down all nine Experts? Ask yourself: do you want Kay to barely scrape by, or do you want her to own every room she walks into? The Bartender gets you started, but the full set turns Kay into a force of nature. My advice? As soon as you hit a new planet, talk to every bartender. Watch for main quests that unlock these mentors, and don’t skip the looting in orbit. The galaxy is dangerous, but with the right Experts at your side, you’ll be the one dishing out the danger. Now get out there and make Kay proud!