Suggest Edit: Cartel Progression

Edited Content

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p style="color: #e0e0e0;"><strong>Cartel Progression</strong> &mdash; Complete guide to cartel levels, perks, debt limits, and emblem customization in Drug Dealer Simulator 2.</p>
<p style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.85em;"><em>Data sourced from game files. Level names, perk descriptions, and values may change with future updates.</em></p>

<div style="background: #3a1a1a; border-left: 4px solid #ef5350; padding: 12px 16px; border-radius: 6px; margin: 16px 0; color: #e0e0e0;">⚠️ <strong>Early Access Notice:</strong> The Cartel system is still under active development. Level names, perk descriptions, and values shown below are extracted from current game files and may change with future updates. Placeholder entries from the data have been excluded.</div>

<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 16px 20px; margin-bottom: 28px;">
<div style="color: #fff; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 8px;">📑 Table of Contents</div>
<ul style="color: #e0e0e0; margin: 0; padding-left: 20px;">
<li><a style="color: #4fc3f7;" href="#cartel-levels">🛡️ Cartel Levels (5 levels)</a></li>
<li><a style="color: #4fc3f7;" href="#cartel-perks">⚔️ Cartel Perks (8 perks)</a></li>
<li><a style="color: #4fc3f7;" href="#cartel-emblems">🎨 Cartel Emblems (13 emblems)</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="cartel-levels" style="color: #fff; border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); padding-bottom: 8px;"><img style="width: 32px; height: 32px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 8px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier1.png" loading="lazy">🛡️ Cartel Levels <span style="color: #aaa; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: 400;">(5 levels)</span></h2>
<p style="color: #e0e0e0;">There are <strong>5 confirmed cartel levels</strong>. Each level requires Cartel XP to unlock and increases your maximum debt limit with the cartel. Progress is tracked via the cartel XP bar on your minimap.</p>
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 16px 0;"><img style="max-width: 400px; width: 100%; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2);" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/Minimap_CartelLevelBar.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 6px;">Cartel XP progress bar on the minimap</p>
</div>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; background: #1a1a2e; color: #e0e0e0; margin-bottom: 24px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6">
<thead>
<tr style="background: #2d6a4f; color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">
<th>Level</th>
<th>XP Required</th>
<th>Cumulative XP</th>
<th>Debt Limit</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><img style="width: 24px; height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 6px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier1.png" loading="lazy"><strong>Level 1</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0 <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.85em;">(Starting)</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">$50,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><img style="width: 24px; height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 6px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier2.png" loading="lazy"><strong>Level 2</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726;">10,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">10,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">$60,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><img style="width: 24px; height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 6px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier3.png" loading="lazy"><strong>Level 3</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726;">13,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">23,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">$70,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><img style="width: 24px; height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 6px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier4.png" loading="lazy"><strong>Level 4</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726;">13,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">36,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">$80,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><img style="width: 24px; height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 6px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier5.png" loading="lazy"><strong>Level 5</strong> <span style="color: #ffa726; font-size: 0.8em;">(MAX)</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726;">25,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">61,000</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">$150,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<div style="display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: flex-end; gap: 12px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin: 16px 0 24px 0; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;"><img style="width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_BigTier1.png" loading="lazy"> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 4px;">Tier 1</span></div>
<div style="color: #4fc3f7; font-size: 1.2em; align-self: center;">➔</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;"><img style="width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_BigTier2.png" loading="lazy"> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 4px;">Tier 2</span></div>
<div style="color: #4fc3f7; font-size: 1.2em; align-self: center;">➔</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;"><img style="width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_BigTier3.png" loading="lazy"> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 4px;">Tier 3</span></div>
<div style="color: #4fc3f7; font-size: 1.2em; align-self: center;">➔</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;"><img style="width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_BigTier4.png" loading="lazy"> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 4px;">Tier 4</span></div>
<div style="color: #4fc3f7; font-size: 1.2em; align-self: center;">➔</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;"><img style="width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_BigTier5.png" loading="lazy"> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 4px;">Tier 5</span></div>
</div>

<div style="background: #1a3a2a; border-left: 4px solid #81c784; padding: 12px 16px; border-radius: 6px; margin: 16px 0 28px 0; color: #e0e0e0;">💡 <strong>Key Takeaways:</strong>
<ul style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding-left: 20px; line-height: 1.8;">
<li>You start at <strong>Level 1</strong> with a <span style="color: #81c784;">$50,000</span> debt limit and no XP required.</li>
<li>Levels 2 through 4 require <span style="color: #ffa726;">10,000 &ndash; 13,000 XP</span> each and add <span style="color: #81c784;">+$10,000</span> debt per level.</li>
<li>The final level (Level 5) requires <span style="color: #ffa726;">25,000 XP</span> and the debt limit nearly <strong>doubles</strong> to <span style="color: #81c784;">$150,000</span>.</li>
<li>Total XP needed to reach max level: <span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">61,000 Cartel XP</span>.</li>
</ul>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="cartel-perks" style="color: #fff; border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); padding-bottom: 8px;"><img style="width: 32px; height: 32px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 8px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/items/SpecialSlot_Weapon.png" loading="lazy">⚔️ Cartel Perks <span style="color: #aaa; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: 400;">(8 perks)</span></h2>
<p style="color: #e0e0e0;">There are <strong>8 cartel perks</strong> spread across 4 categories. Each perk has a minimum cartel level requirement and costs perk points to unlock. Choose wisely &mdash; points are limited.</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; background: #1a1a2e; color: #e0e0e0; margin-bottom: 24px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6">
<thead>
<tr style="background: #2d6a4f; color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">
<th>Perk</th>
<th>Category</th>
<th>Min Level</th>
<th>Cost</th>
<th>Effect</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><strong>Crime Perk 1</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ef5350; font-weight: 600;">🔫 CRIME</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier2.png" loading="lazy">Level 2</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">0 <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.8em;">(Free)</span></td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Combat-related &mdash; unlocks at Level 2 for free</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><strong>Business Perk 1</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">💰 BUSINESS</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier3.png" loading="lazy">Level 3</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">2 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Earnings boost <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: <span style="color: #81c784;">$500,000</span> threshold)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><strong>Business Perk 2</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">💰 BUSINESS</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier3.png" loading="lazy">Level 3</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">2 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Earnings boost <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: <span style="color: #81c784;">$500,000</span> threshold)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><strong>Respect Perk 1</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4fc3f7; font-weight: 600;">⭐ RESPECT</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier4.png" loading="lazy">Level 4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">3 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Reputation gain boost <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: 500)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><strong>Crime Perk 2</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ef5350; font-weight: 600;">🔫 CRIME</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier5.png" loading="lazy">Level 5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">1 pt</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Advanced combat perk <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: 2)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><strong>Respect Perk 2</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4fc3f7; font-weight: 600;">⭐ RESPECT</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier5.png" loading="lazy">Level 5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">4 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Advanced reputation boost <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: 1,000)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><strong>Rank Perk 1</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">👑 RANK</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 18px; height: 18px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 4px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelLevelShield_Tier5.png" loading="lazy">Level 5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">5 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Guard/bodyguard improvement <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: 5)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><strong>Rank Perk 2</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">👑 RANK</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ef5350;">Level 6+</span> <span style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.8em;">(unreleased)</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center; color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">6 pts</td>
<td style="font-size: 0.9em;">Dealer improvement <span style="color: #9a9a9a;">(value: 8)</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3 style="color: #fff; font-size: 1.1em; margin-top: 28px; margin-bottom: 12px;">Perk Categories</h3>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 600px; background: #1a1a2e; color: #e0e0e0; margin-bottom: 24px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6">
<thead>
<tr style="background: #2d6a4f; color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">
<th>Category</th>
<th>Focus</th>
<th>Perks</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><span style="color: #ef5350; font-weight: 600;">🔫 CRIME</span></td>
<td>Combat &amp; intimidation abilities</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">💰 BUSINESS</span></td>
<td>Money earning &amp; sales bonuses</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #16213e;">
<td><span style="color: #4fc3f7; font-weight: 600;">⭐ RESPECT</span></td>
<td>Reputation gains with clients</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background: #1a1a2e;">
<td><span style="color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">👑 RANK</span></td>
<td>Guards &amp; dealer effectiveness</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<div style="background: #1a3a2a; border-left: 4px solid #81c784; padding: 12px 16px; border-radius: 6px; margin: 16px 0 28px 0; color: #e0e0e0;">💡 <strong>Perk Point Strategy:</strong>
<ul style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding-left: 20px; line-height: 1.8;">
<li><strong>Crime Perk 1</strong> is <span style="color: #81c784; font-weight: 600;">free</span> at Level 2 &mdash; always grab it first.</li>
<li>At Level 3, you need <span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">4 points total</span> for both Business perks.</li>
<li>Most expensive perks: <strong>Rank 1</strong> and <strong>Rank 2</strong> cost <span style="color: #ffa726;">5</span> and <span style="color: #ffa726;">6</span> points respectively, and require Level 5+.</li>
<li>Total perk points needed to unlock all perks: <span style="color: #ffa726; font-weight: 600;">23 points</span>.</li>
<li><span style="color: #ef5350;">Rank Perk 2</span> references Level 6+ which does not currently exist &mdash; it may be reserved for a future update.</li>
</ul>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="cartel-emblems" style="color: #fff; border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); padding-bottom: 8px;">🎨 Cartel Emblems <span style="color: #aaa; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: 400;">(13 emblems)</span></h2>
<p style="color: #e0e0e0;">Customize your cartel's identity with one of <strong>13 unique emblems</strong>. These are purely cosmetic and can be selected when creating or editing your cartel.</p>
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(130px, 1fr)); gap: 12px; margin: 16px 0 28px 0;">
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemPunkSkull.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Punk Skull</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemCrown.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Crown</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemFish.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Fish</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemLlama.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Llama</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemCuteSkull.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Cute Skull</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemSnake.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Snake</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemBear.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Bear</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemLynx.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Lynx</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemDDSskull.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">DDS Skull</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemCupcake.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Cupcake</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemDragon.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Dragon</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemWeed.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Weed</p>
</div>
<div style="background: #16213e; border: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); border-radius: 10px; padding: 14px 10px; text-align: center;"><img style="width: 64px; height: 64px;" src="../../wiki-images/dds2/gui/CartelEmblemBulldog.png" loading="lazy">
<p style="color: #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px 0 0 0; font-weight: 600;">Bulldog</p>
</div>
</div>

<div style="border-top: 1px solid rgba(88,101,242,0.2); padding-top: 16px; margin-top: 32px;">
<p style="color: #9a9a9a; font-size: 0.8em;"><em>Data extracted from Drug Dealer Simulator 2 game files. Cartel system is in Early Access and subject to change. Values, perk names, and level requirements may be updated in future patches. Placeholder and incomplete entries have been excluded.</em></p>
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