I was two days into a run when my water reserves hit zero and my credits evaporated overnight. You feel the map narrow when the wrong Trade sits on your roster. I had to choose fast or watch the whole enterprise implode.
I’ve played enough failed and brilliant runs to share what matters: you can start with a Trade, buy others from the Wild mid-run, and some Trades only open after meeting specific conditions. Below I lay out every Trade, how you get it, and a quick read on when to pick it so your next run doesn’t fizzle.
How to unlock all Trades in Probably Stolen
I’ve seen players treat Trades like vanity options and then regret it two hours later.
Each Trade is gated differently: some are available at the start because you can choose them as a starting role; others require buying a “Retired” version from the Wild for Credits (€ equivalent). One — Smelting — is gifted for free by Dr. Jackson on Day 6. Use the table below as your checklist.
| Trade | How to Obtain |
|---|---|
| Water Trading | Start as a Water Merchant or buy Water Trading from the Wild for 300 Credits (€300). |
| Winemaking | Buy the Retired Winemaker for 200 Credits (€200). |
| Hydroponic Farming | Start as a Hydroponic Farmer or purchase the Retired Farmer for 350 Credits (€350). |
| Plant Genetics | Purchase the Retired Farmer first, then buy Plant Genetics for 1,250 Credits (€1,250). |
| Chemistry | Start as a Chemist or buy the Retired Chemist for 1,000 Credits (€1,000). |
| Gunsmithing | Start as a Gunsmith or buy the Retired Gunsmith for 650 Credits (€650). |
| Smelting | Granted free on Day 6 by Dr. Jackson. |
| Rat Ranching | Start as a Rat Wrangler or buy Ranching for 750 Credits (€750). |
How do I unlock Trades in Probably Stolen?
You get Trades three ways: choose some at the start, buy retired versions from the Wild (they’re priced in Credits), or receive specific ones as story events — Smelting is the classic free example. If you’re short on Credits (€), scout the Wild early and prioritize purchases that fit your immediate income plan.
Which Trade should you pick and when
On one run I bought Plant Genetics late and watched it pay off only after I’d almost thrown the save away.
Choose by tempo: are you chasing quick, repeatable revenue, or a long-term profit engine? Water Trading is like a Swiss Army knife — flexible in most situations and rarely a wrong choice. Plant Genetics, on the other hand, is a slow-burning fuse that pays off later when you can afford the setup. Chemistry and Gunsmithing swing hard for high-margin runs if you can protect your assets. Hydroponic Farming and Winemaking are steady earners for conservative playstyles. Smelting is a free tech boost; Rat Ranching is niche but dependable once scaled.
Can you change Trades mid-run in Probably Stolen?
Yes — you can adopt new Trades during a run by buying retired professionals or purchases from the Wild. That flexibility lets you correct a bad start, but bear in mind cost: switching late can be expensive in Credits (€), so weigh immediate need versus long-term payoff.
Practical tip: follow the community on Steam, r/ProbablyStolen on Reddit, and the developer’s Discord for sightings of retired sellers and price trends; Moyens I/O and other outlets occasionally highlight strategies and patch notes that affect Trade value.
Which Trade is best in Probably Stolen?
“Best” depends on your run goals. For steady survival and cashflow, Water Trading or Hydroponic Farming is reliable. For explosive profit if you can protect inventory, aim for Gunsmithing or Chemistry. If you want late-game dominance, Plant Genetics wins when you can fund the initial buy.
If you had to pick one Trade to master first, which would you bet your run on?