In the video game Prey (2017), Smuggler’s Dead Drops are a set of hidden stashes scattered around the space station Talos I that tie into a side quest known as the Talos Smuggling Ring. These dead drops are secret caches placed by characters involved in an underground operation aboard the station. While the main storyline of Prey focuses on survival, exploration, and battling hostile alien lifeforms known as Typhon, the Smuggler’s Dead Drops add depth to the game’s world by offering optional objectives, lore, and rewards for players who explore thoroughly and pay attention to environmental storytelling.
What Are Smuggler’s Dead Drops?
Smuggler’s Dead Drops are concealed containers hidden throughout Talos I that contain valuable loot, including Neuromods and other items that help the player progress. These drops are part of the side mission Talos Smuggling Ring, which begins when the player discovers a TransScribe recording near the body of Lily Morris in the Arboretum. This recording triggers the quest and explains that a smuggling ring operated on the station, hiding stolen goods in discreet locations.
Each dead drop is disguised as a standard fire alarm panel with a red light above it. To access the stash inside, the player must hit the panel three times with a wrench or similar tool. Once opened, these dead drops reward the player with useful upgrades and items that can make surviving Talos I’s dangers easier. Finding all dead drops is also tied to an in-game achievement or trophy, making them appealing for completionists.
How to Start the Talos Smuggling Ring Quest
To begin locating the Smuggler’s Dead Drops, the first step is to find the proper TransScribe log. This recording is typically found near Lily Morris’s body in the Arboretum area of Talos I. Once picked up and listened to, the quest becomes active in the player’s mission log. The transcript reveals the existence of the smuggling ring and gives players context for why these dead drops exist-smugglers used them to hide contraband and stolen goods during their covert operations.
In another version of the quest trigger, the player may find a TranScribe associated with Eddie Voss, another member of the Talos Smuggling Ring. This recording elaborates on how old station alarm panels were modified to serve as hidden safes, explaining both the mechanics and background for finding the dead drops.
Locations of Smuggler’s Dead Drops
There are six main Smuggler’s Dead Drops scattered around Talos I, each in a unique part of the space station. Players can find them once the quest is active, but in many cases they can also discover them at any point during free exploration. Below is a general guide to where these hidden caches are located
1. Arboretum
The first dead drop is located in the Arboretum, near the corpse of Lily Morris where the Talos Smuggling Ring quest originates. Once you spot the familiar red alarm with its light, hit it three times with your wrench to open the hidden stash.
2. Crew Quarters
Another dead drop is hidden in the Crew Quarters area, often in the fitness center or nearby corridor. Reaching this location may sometimes require creative exploration or use of the GLOO Cannon to navigate.
3. Talos I Lobby
Two separate dead drops are found within the Talos I Lobby area. One is located near the museum or exhibit area, and another can be found in a hallway near restrooms or orientation areas. Both are accessed in the same way-hitting the red alarm panel multiple times.
4. Hardware Labs
The Hardware Labs dead drop is usually placed on an upper level of the atrium. Players may need to use their GLOO Cannon to reach higher platforms in order to safely strike the alarm panel and gain access to the stash hidden behind it.
5. Cargo Bay
The final dead drop is found in the Cargo Bay, typically on level two near shipment control areas. When you reach this industrial section of the station, the red light marking the dead drop will stand out against the metallic environment.
Rewards and Benefits
Opening each Smuggler’s Dead Drop grants players valuable items, including Neuromods, ammunition, and other resources that can benefit Morgan Yu, the playable protagonist of Prey. Neuromods are particularly sought after because they allow the player to upgrade abilities and unlock new skills, giving a significant advantage in exploring the station and facing hostile enemies.
Aside from practical items, collecting all six dead drops also unlocks the Black Market achievement or trophy in many versions of the game. This makes the quest appealing not only for its resources but also for completionists who want to fully explore every nook and cranny of Talos I.
Tips for Finding Dead Drops Efficiently
Finding all Smuggler’s Dead Drops can be easier with a few strategic tips. Here are methods players often use to ensure they don’t miss any hidden caches
- Activate the Smuggling Ring quest early by listening to the necessary TransScribe recordings.
- Use exploration tools like the GLOO Cannon to reach higher or more hidden areas where dead drops may be placed.
- Keep an eye out for red alarm panels with glowing lights, as these are the only spots that conceal dead drops.
- Backtrack through previously visited areas after unlocking new skills or tools, since some dead drops are easier to reach later in the game.
Why Smuggler’s Dead Drops Matter
Smuggler’s Dead Drops are more than simple collectibles. They enrich the narrative and world-building of Prey by showcasing how inhabitants of Talos I tried to survive and profit within a station beset by danger. The existence of a smuggling ring adds depth to the story and provides players with optional content that rewards curiosity and exploration.
The tactical decision to hide valuable items behind fire alarm panels encourages players to look beyond obvious paths, fostering a sense of discovery and adventure that is core to Prey’s gameplay experience. Finding these hidden caches not only enhances the player’s abilities but also reveals more about the lives and motives of the NPCs (non-player characters) who once operated within the station.
Smuggler’s Dead Drops in Prey represent a clever blend of narrative, exploration, and reward that enriches the overall game experience. By uncovering the Talos Smuggling Ring side quest and locating all six dead drops hidden across the space station Talos I, players can gain valuable resources and unlock achievements while deepening their understanding of the game’s world and backstory. Whether you are a completionist seeking every trophy or a curious explorer searching every corner for hidden secrets, Smuggler’s Dead Drops offer both challenge and reward in equal measure, encouraging players to engage with Prey beyond the main storyline.