I’m really enjoying Dune: Awakening thus far. It seems to have been refined even further since I encountered it during the early press and creator testing sessions not long ago.
As I delve deeper into my adventures, I find myself recognizing that many others embarking on the same path as me are likely to repeat the same initial errors I made. Although blunders can serve as valuable learning experiences, guidance from experienced mentors can be even more advantageous. They not only help you learn from their mistakes but also provide strategies to conserve resources that might otherwise be wasted if you avoid their advice.
Today, I’m thrilled to offer you a behind-the-scenes peek into succeeding in the expanding universe of Dune: Awakening. Here’s my compilation of essential tips and pitfalls to circumvent for a stellar start in the realm of Dune!
By doing so, I hope to empower you with valuable insights as you navigate this fascinating world.
Don’t get too attached to your first base
Your creative instinct is yearning to express itself vigorously, but if you act on it prematurely, it could jeopardize your mental wellbeing within just a few hours.
Once you finish what I refer to as the “introductory stage” in Dune: Awakening, you’ll have to travel towards the North and establish a new base for yourself. A significant part of this journey involves giving up your current position, making it accessible to all, including the natural environment.
Opting to establish another sub-fief immediately upon abandonment may technically complete your journey, but maintaining a base here seems unnecessary and burdensome in terms of resources and funds you’ll need to manage over time.
It would also be advantageous for you to position yourself closer to the map’s center. As time progresses, there will likely come a point when there’s no compelling reason to revisit Hagga Basin South.
You can get a free bike by getting eaten
Have you misplaced your sand sled? Here’s an exciting piece of information for you: If you successfully finish the “Find the Fremen” expedition and conquer “The First Trial of AQL,” you stand a chance to acquire yourself a free sand sled!
Afterward, your mission will involve traversing the desert to the north of Hagga Basin South. Walking through the desert barefoot could serve as a tempting snack for a sandworm. Stripping down completely beforehand means regaining a sand bike upon respawn without any loss of items.
Absolutely, here’s what I understand: Players can secure a complimentary sand bike as a reward if they encounter the unfortunate fate of being devoured by a sandworm during their journey. To avoid losing any personal belongings, ensure everything is stored securely within a chest at your base. Being consumed by the sandworm results in loss of all items carried on your person.
Picking your class doesn’t matter — Just not Trooper
As you initiate the game, various classes gradually unlock through interactions with trainers. Each trainer you encounter will propose a task for you to accomplish before they can train you, but upon completion, all skills related to their area of expertise will be at your disposal.
At the Griffin Trading Post, your first destination, you’ll come across a trainer who specializes in the Trooper class. Finishing his training mission will grant you access to the initial skills unique to the Trooper class. Among these skills, you’ll acquire the grappling hook, which is one of the most effective non-combat abilities in the game, and all other abilities offered for the first tier by this class.
As a researcher, I can assure you that even if some intriguing capabilities are currently exclusive to one of my peers, rest assured, we’ll all gain access to these abilities equally as time progresses.
Instead of choosing the Trooper class at the start, it might be wiser to hold off and select another class initially. This is because obtaining the Trooper class early could delay your access to other classes as you progress through the game.
Enemies drop their shields when shooting
I wish I had figured this out earlier, as it has turned out to be quite awkward. Perhaps I’m only saying this because I want to make it sound less concerning for whoever is reading?
When they fire a weapon, adversaries temporarily lower or deactivate their defenses (like shields). This can be advantageous in situations involving heavily armed gunners who are also protected by defensive barriers.
Initially, it might not be apparent, but once activated, they become vulnerable to long-range attacks without incurring any costs. However, remember not to squander ammunition when they cease firing, for their defenses will swiftly reactivate as soon as they stop.
Disruptor SMGs destroy enemy shields
Speaking of shield cheesing, did you know the Disruptor SMG will break down enemy shields?
As a tech enthusiast, I must confess that I hadn’t given it much thought either, but my buddy Will has been running the SMG in this game, which is something I usually miss out on. I’m more of a precision sniper at a distance and a close-quarters brawler with a shotgun. Kudos to Will for opening my eyes to a different playstyle!
By employing the Disruptor, you can circumvent the shield’s protection through a rapid succession of darts that travel at different speeds. Eventually, this barrage will breach the shield completely when a sufficient number of darts have struck it.
After spending about 20 hours on the game, I eventually figured out that having a Disruptor close by significantly simplifies the gameplay experience. Believe me when I say, it’s worth keeping one handy!
Respawn beacons and respawn points
After experiencing several unfortunate deaths due to careless mistakes and eventually ending up in Hagga Basin South once more, I’ve come to share some valuable insights: the importance of respawn beacons and strategically choosing your respawn location.
In some cases, when you create a fresh base, it doesn’t instantly relocate your respawn spot to your most recent safe haven. This little detail became apparent to me after I accidentally fell off a cliff into an adversary’s encampment, where they shot me repeatedly before I had a chance to rise up again.
Upon reflection, it became clear that I had no other option but to employ a checkpoint I’d previously set up further south across the sands. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a regrettable decision.
An alternative method involves utilizing respawn beacons, which are straightforward to create and serve as valuable allies when exploring beyond your base.
Place one of these items at an intelligence post or a crucial location that could lead to potential danger. This will expedite your return to active service significantly.
Belts, climbing, and even vehicles negate fall damage
There are three ways to avoid fall damage in Dune: Awakening.
The initial technique is called “drop-clinging.” When falling, if you find yourself against a cliff or rock surface, reaching out to grasp the wall can halt your descent, protecting you from injury no matter how great the fall.
After this come different kinds of belts. Some of these can progressively counteract the effects of gravity completely.
One of these belts, known as “The Emperor’s Wings MK1,” can propel you forward at your current speed once activated. Use it cautiously because the speed at which you land will be the same speed you were traveling when the belt was activated.
To round things off, let me add that vehicles are significant. Regardless of how high or low you might jump, you won’t suffer any fall damage if you’re seated inside one.
Apart from the sand bike, I haven’t tried it out on any other vehicle, but I leaped from the peak of Hammer Rock at a speed roughly 150 kilometers per hour. Remarkably, neither I nor my bike sustained any harm in the impact.
Sandworms only attack after surfacing
I found myself on the run from these towering sandworms early on, and their movements were initially perplexing. To help you visualize it better, let me break down their patterns as I experienced them:
1. Burrowing: The first thing to note is that they’re not always above ground. They can burrow deep beneath the sand, which makes them seem like they’ve suddenly vanished.
2. Surface Appearance: When they emerge from the sand, it’s quite a spectacle! Their massive bodies rise up, causing small sandstorms as they break through the surface.
3. Movement: Once on the move, they lumber forward, leaving a trail of disturbed sand in their wake. They seem to be moving slower than you might expect for something so large.
4. Attack: If they catch you, it’s not a pretty sight! They lash out with their powerful tails, sending sand and debris flying in all directions.
5. Retreat: After an attack, they usually retreat back into the sand, only to resurface elsewhere on the horizon.
So, be vigilant, keep your wits about you, and remember that these giants are more unpredictable than they appear!
Initially, a small ripple near your character on the beach could be a blend of sound and danger signals produced by your character as they move forward. This ripple intensifies when sandworms come nearer to you.
Once spotted, the wave will shake quite violently, and a worm somewhere nearby will surface.
Respeccing is free but limited
In this particular game, you won’t have to spend a single penny to respec. Unlike games such as Conan Exiles, there’s no requirement for brewing a Yellow Lotus potion.
You’ll have to wait 48 hours before changing your character build again. Make sure to strategize your choices carefully if you intend to switch between builds optimized for Player versus Environment (PvE) or Player versus Player (PvP).
Additionally, it’s impossible to reshape your learning experience. Whatever knowledge you gain is what stays with you. But fret not, as leveling up and accumulating intel points on the map will ensure that you uncover all blueprints by the game’s end, so there’s no need to worry about missing out.
Starting June 10, 2025, I can’t wait to dive into the world of “Dune: Awakening” as it hits general release! For now, this epic adventure will be exclusively available on PC through Steam, with a console launch planned later down the line. Can’t wait to explore more!
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2025-06-10 20:40