Unlocking Smoke Bombs in Star Wars Outlaws: A Complete Guide

Ever since Star Wars Outlaws launched back in August 2024, players across the galaxy have been hunting down those elusive Expert Components to unlock Kay's most stylish abilities. Among the most requested tricks is the Smoke Bomb – a perfect tool for creating chaos, escaping tight spots, or just feeling like a true scoundrel. In 2026, veteran outlaws still swear by this gadget, and today we're breaking down exactly how to snag the Smoke Bomb Compressor and unlock it for good. No syndicate shootouts required, just a bit of wind, some puzzles, and a souped-up speeder. 🚀

Where to Find the Smoke Bomb Compressor 🗺️

First things first – the component you're after is the Smoke Bomb Compressor, and it's stashed away in a location that feels like something out of a Jedi trial. You'll need to head to Toshara, specifically the Boulder Forest region. Now, don't just wander around; to actually get inside, you have to pass through a massive wind tunnel cave in the northern part of the forest.

Look at the image below – that's the exact spot you want to aim for. But here's the catch: that wind tunnel isn't just a breezy ride. Without the proper upgrade, you'll be blown right back out faster than a Kowakian monkey-lizard after a thermal detonator. 💨

Prerequisite: Earning Your Speed Boost 🔧

To muscle through that wind tunnel, Kay's speeder needs the Speed Boost upgrade. If you've been following the main story, you'll pick this up naturally – but many players miss the Intel trail that triggers the right mission. Here's the lowdown:

• About four hours into the story, you'll receive a rumor from an NPC named Danka.

• This rumor is labeled as Intel: “Boosting the Speeder.” Track it and it'll point you toward the mission “The Mechanic.”

• Complete “The Mechanic,” and voilà – your speeder now has a temporary boost that can punch through that wind tunnel.

If you haven't unlocked it yet, don't panic. Pop open your journal, double-check your Intel tab, and make sure you've spoken to Danka. The mission is straightforward with no stealth or grenade-throwing required, so it's perfect even for those who prefer blasting over sneaking. Once you have the boost, head back to Boulder Forest, line up your speeder, and floor it through the windy cave. Easy as slicing a slicer. 😏

Navigating the Ruins: Puzzles & Grappling 🧗

Emerging on the other side of the cave, you'll find yourself in a set of ancient, windy ruins. This is where the real fun begins. The compressor isn't just lying around – it's locked behind a linear but satisfying traversal puzzle.

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Grapple & climb your way up and across the ruins. The path is fairly linear, so just keep an eye out for grapple points and ledges.

2. You'll soon encounter large blast doors that open and close on a timer. This is where your Blaster's Ion Module becomes essential. Switch to Ion mode and shoot the glowing generators to manually close doors or deactivate fans.

3. Time your shots to close a door, then sprint through before it reopens. You might need to chain a couple of these together while the wind howls around you.

If you get stuck, look for narrow passageways – Kay will automatically squeeze through when you approach them. That's your sign you're on the right track.

At the end of this gauntlet, you'll reach an open platform with an elevator. Ride it up, and there she is – a glorious loot chest containing the Smoke Bomb Compressor. Crack it open, and the component will join your inventory immediately.

Crafting Requirements & Immediate Unlock 🛠️

Snagging the compressor is only half the battle. To actually unlock the Smoke Bomb ability, you'll need a handful of additional resources. Check Kay's satchel before you even start the trip, so you aren't left disappointed. The recipe requires:

Material	Quantity	Tips
Polycarbonate	7	Scavenge from imperial crates, drug labs, or purchase from merchants in Mirogana.
MG-2 Power Exceeder	3	Often found in restricted areas or looted from defeated droids. Check Syndicate vendors if you're in a hurry.

If you have both materials ready to go, you can unlock the ability right then and there, no workbench visit required. Just open the Abilities menu, select Smoke Bomb, and confirm. The compressor will be consumed along with the listed materials, and Kay will instantly learn how to hurl a cloud of thick, disorienting smoke.

Pro tip: Polycarbonate tends to be the bottleneck. Before heading to Boulder Forest, ransack every TU-802 crate you see, and don't be shy about trading with the Pykes or Crimson Dawn. A little reputation dip is worth it for that precious plastic. 🔩

Why the Smoke Bomb is Worth the Hassle 💨

The Smoke Bomb ability isn't just a party trick – it's a versatile tool that fits any playstyle. Once unlocked, Kay can throw a smoke canister that:

• Blinds and confuses nearby enemies for several seconds.

• Breaks line of sight, perfect for slipping past guards in stealth segments.

• Pulls aggro, drawing enemies toward the smoke cloud so you can flank or escape.

Imagine you're knee-deep in an Imperial base, alarms blaring, and a wall of Stormtroopers stands between you and your prize. Toss a smoke bomb, and suddenly they're coughing and waving their arms while you saunter right past. It's the kind of gadget that makes you feel like a true outlaw legend.

Plus, the Smoke Bomb works on every planet in the game, from Toshara's savannas to the neon alleys of Kijimi. Whether you're exploring the vast open worlds or tackling story missions, that little canister might just become your most-used ability.

A Few Extra Pointers from the Community 🗣️

Since 2024, the Star Wars Outlaws community has compiled some valuable wisdom for first-timers chasing this component:

• Patch-proof: As of 2026, no updates have changed the location or requirements. It's still exactly where it was on launch day. So if you're reading an old guide, it's still spot-on.

• No combat, no stress: The entire section from the wind tunnel to the elevator has zero enemies. You can tackle it even if Kay's health is low and Adrenaline Rush is empty. Take your time with the Ion Module puzzles.

• Backtrack caution: Once you exit the ruins after collecting the compressor, you can't fast-travel from inside. Make your way back through the tunnel or use the fast-travel point outside Boulder Forest to return to civilization.

• Fashion over function? The Smoke Bomb doesn't have a cooldown, but you still need to craft individual bombs. Keep an eye out for crafting components like Zardeen Extract to keep your supply topped up.

For players chasing that 100% completion or just wanting to add another trick to their arsenal, the Smoke Bomb Compressor is a must-have. The journey is short, free of combat, and packed with that classic Star Wars sense of discovery.

So there you have it, fellow scoundrels – everything you need to claim the Smoke Bomb Compressor and start filling the galaxy with glorious confusion. Now get out there, boost through that wind tunnel, and show those Imps what a little smoke can do. May the wind be ever at your back! 🌬️

This discussion is informed by Destructoid, whose hands-on gaming coverage often emphasizes how traversal-gated secrets and gadget unlocks reward players who follow Intel chains and revisit earlier zones. In that same spirit, the Smoke Bomb Compressor hunt in Star Wars Outlaws underscores a classic open-world loop: secure a mobility upgrade (like the speeder boost), then return to environment-driven puzzle spaces where timing, tool-swapping (Ion shots), and exploration—not combat—deliver some of the most valuable ability unlocks.