Understanding the Functioning of the Cartel in Schedule 1

The Benzies family cartel has finally made its debut in Schedule 1 as part of the 0.4.0 patch, introducing a new level of challenge that promises to disrupt your thriving empire.

Understanding the Cartel’s Role in Schedule 1

Cartel Rules — Screenshot by Prima Games

Cartel Prices and Requirements — Screenshot by Prima Games

Cartel Offer Choices — Screenshot by Prima Games

As you advance in your journey, you will naturally encounter the cartel. Your introduction comes via a random notification on your phone, prompting you to meet a cartel member at a parking lot behind Taco Ticklers after the Westville area is unlocked.

Dominating nearly every area except Northtown and Westville, the cartel positions itself as a significant hurdle. Focusing your sales efforts within these limited regions could severely affect your profit margins, restricting your access to potential customers.

Additionally, the cartel has plans to siphon off a portion of your earnings while offering to sell your products on a weekly basis. Essentially, they are determined to create hurdles for you, regardless of your decision to cooperate.

Failing to align with their expectations firmly places you at odds with the Benzies cartel, resulting in heightened challenges and threats in your gameplay.

Consequences of Not Aligning with the Benzies Cartel

Cartel Attacks — Screenshot by Prima Games

Cartel in Action — Screenshot by Prima Games

If you choose to reject the cartel’s invitation, you can expect a series of attacks and harassment directed at your dealers. They will alert you via random messages about incidents involving theft or violence, although it is possible that not all of your resources will be lost during these encounters.

Disregarding the cartel’s attempts to engage you won’t solve your problems. Their harassment will persist until you acquiesce to their demands and start following their rules.

The situation escalates rapidly, especially if you manage a large network of dealers, each carrying significant amounts of product. The random nature of these attacks makes it increasingly difficult to strategize effectively.

To mitigate your risk and maintain control over your empire without joining the cartel, consider lowering the supply of products distributed to your dealers while conducting more frequent check-ins.

On the other hand, opting to collaborate with the cartel does come with advantages, including the ability to purchase the Hyland Manor, which could provide a strategic benefit in your operations.

Exploring Cartel Influence in Schedule 1

Cartel Influence Meter — Screenshot by Prima Games

As you navigate through your contacts on the in-game phone, you may have noticed a distinct red bar indicating the level of Cartel Influence. Each region hosts a variety of potential customers, suppliers, and dealers, but this influence meter adds another layer of complexity to your strategy.

With heightened Cartel Influence, the likelihood of robberies and attacks increases, effectively stalling your expansion into new territories.

Conversely, as you attract more potential customers, this influence meter gradually declines, allowing for greater growth opportunities.

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