The Corruption Mechanic

The Black Sun faction has the ability to spread corruption in enemy controlled systems, visible to all sides on the galactic map as a yellow credit effect surrounding these systems and any connecting hyperlanes.

From the perspective of other factions, corruption need only be viewed as follows:

* It reduces the price of all construction options in the system effected, regardless of who owns the system. The major drawback of this bonus is the fact that all construction speed is reduced while the corruption is up, meaning that while units and structures are cheaper, it does mean it takes longer to build.
* It allows Black Sun forces to bribe and therefore bypass anything in orbit at a system in order to reach other systems beyond. It is therefore very dangerous since it allows these forces to ignore powerful defences and strike at poorly defended targets beyond them.
* Corruption is spread by Saboteurs and can be removed by certain agents and heroes. Swift removal of corruption is almost always advisable.

From a Black Sun perspective, corruption offers a variety of benefits.

## Corruption types

It's important to be aware that all types of corruption provide the ability to see the enemy space and ground forces on the corrupted planet. They also provide the ability to move units past said planet for a bribe. All corruption types require the player to have certain units, techs, or buildings before corruption can be set up, and/or a predetermined amount of corrupted planets. The only exception to this is the basic Black Sun Presence, which only requires a Saboteur.

Note that it is not possible for the Black Sun to remove corruption from a system themselves. This is important because it necessitates good long term planning. If the intention is to one day recruit a mercenary from a system, it may be wise to avoid setting up another form of corruption there, else that mercenary might remain out of reach if the enemy does not remove it. It is usually wise however to establish the basic Black Sun presence before conquering a planet, because most other types of corruption require the player to have a certain number of planets with this type of corruption, . Do note that once the Black Sun Presence gets removed, it will still count toward your corruption count, necessary for other corruption types. The type of corruption established remains the same even if the planet is captured. If no corruption was established on a conquered planet, it will set up Mercenary Recruitment by default.

   **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure Requirement: 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: None**
 Sabotage
   **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure Requirement: 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: 5-10 Black Sun Presence**
 Piracy
   **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: 5-10 Black Sun Pressence**
 Racketeering
    **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure Requirement: 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: 5 - 15 Black Sun Presence**
 Mercenary Recruitment
    **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure Requirement: 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: 0 - 15 Black Sun Presence**
 Black Market
    **Cost: Varies (500 - 1000 Credits)**
**Unit/Structure Requirement: 1 Saboteur**
**Corruption Requirement: 10-15 Black Sun Presence**
Not to be confused with the ground structure of the same name, Black Market corruption allows the Black Sun to buy new abilities for certain units. Setting up a Black Market will also provide the player with one of four temporary Dealer heroes, which will provide a 25% discount and build time reduction on their respective type of unit, on the planet they are stationed at. This hero will disappear after 10 weeks, but can be re-obtained if the player sets up a Black Market again. The type of dealer the player receives depends on which planet the Black Market was established at.

## Black Market Technology Purchases

These are the means by which the Black Sun can improve existing units by unlocking abilities.

Different options are available when the black market corruption type is set up on planets belonging to different factions. Purchases are made by sending a capable agent or hero to the corrupted system.

## **Empire Black Market Upgrades**

#### **Illegal Equipment:**

* **Poison Gas Grenades**
* **Incinerator Rockets**
* **Stim Pack**

#### **Improved Ammunition:**

* **Armor Pierce**
* **Overcharge Main Weapon**
* **Bullet Hail**

#### **Experimental Weapons**

* **Swap to Carbonite Ammo**
* **Shield Leech**

#### **Overcharge Reactor Technology**

* **Overcharge Reactor**
* **Self Destruct**

#### **Full Salvo Synchronization**

* **Full Salvo**
* **Ion Barrage**

## Rebel Black Market Upgrades

#### **Clone Wars Relics**

* **Composite Beam**
* **Buzz Droids**

#### **Supportive Supplies**

* **Repair Drones**
* **Supplement Drop**
* **Ammo Container**

#### **Improved Targeting Computers**

* **Target Lock**
* **Stability Fire**

#### **Defensive Enhancements**

* **Brace for Impact**
* **Defensive Shield**
* **Run Blockade**

#### **Ordnance Countermeasures**

* **Laser Defense**
* **Missile Jammer**
* **Particle Cloud**