Welcome to the brutal, spice-filled deserts of Dune: Awakening, an open-world survival MMO that thrusts you into the heart of Arrakis' unforgiving landscape. As a captive tasked with unravelling the mystery of the missing Fremen, you'll face sandworms, sandstorms and relentless enemies. To help you survive and thrive, we've compiled 10 expert tips based on extensive beta experience to help you avoid common pitfalls and dominate the early game. For more in-game guides and gear, bookmark MMOJUGG and explore our site for epic gaming news.
1. Be Selective with Resource Gathering
Survival instincts may tell you to grab everything, but in Dune: Awakening, this can weigh you down and make you easy prey for sandworms. Focus on:
Plant Fiber: Used to make healing kits.
Scrap Metal: For crafting on the move.
Fuel Cells: Critical for powering base shields.
Ignore granite and copper until you're ready to build a base with storage. Overencumbrance is a death sentence when crossing sandy gaps.
2. Use Spawn Beacons Before Sand Crossings
Navigating between rocky outcrops means crossing sand where sandworms lurk. Make a spawn beacon from scrap metal and place it before each crossing. While swift movement often outpaces worms, a beacon ensures you respawn nearby if you're caught, saving you from restarting at the crash site.
3. Drink Water Whenever Possible
Water is your lifeline. Don't skip the dew lilies or water taps, even if your water meter is almost full. You never know when the next one will pop up. Zoom in on the map to see discovered lilies (marked as drops) if you're desperate. Keeping your water meter full boosts stamina and prevents dehydration.
4. Avoid Sunstroke
The sun of Arrakis is deadly. Stay in the shade to avoid heatstroke, which rapidly drains your health and water. When the sunstroke bar appears, take cover immediately. This simple habit can save your life on long treks.
5. Keep Your First Base Simple
When setting up in Haga Basin South, resist the urge to build a grand fortress. A basic 3x3 box is enough for the initial story quests, as you'll likely leave this zone for good after crossing the Vermilious Gap. Save elaborate builds for a permanent base in a later zone.
6. Prioritize Suspenser Belts
Suspenser belts are a game changer when it comes to mobility. These rare items, found in loot or purchased from traders, slow your fall or let you glide short distances. Higher level belts allow for short flights. Combine them with a Trooper's grappling hook for Superman-style leaps across the map, making vertical traversal a breeze.
7. Master Cliff Descents
Without a suspenser belt, descending cliffs is risky but manageable. Back away from a cliff, then press spacebar mid-fall to grab the wall and avoid fall damage. With practice, you can chain grabs to descend quickly. Mistime it, and you'll take a fatal plunge, so proceed cautiously.
8. Plan Ahead for Sandbike Missions
If you choose the “unlock all” research option, you can build a sandbike early. However, later story missions require you to build one, and the game doesn't recognise pre-built bikes, so you'll have to spend resources again. You can recycle the extra bike, but you'll lose some materials. Weigh the convenience of early mobility against the resource cost.
9. Sell Excess Gear for Components
In Haga Basin South, sell unneeded gear to the local trader. You can use the cash to buy rare components that can only be found at Points of Interest (POIs), saving you repeated trips to POIs. Recycling is an option, but selling maximises your purchasing power for critical items.
10. Gather Intel from Bases
Unlocking tech tree upgrades requires intel, which can be found in scavenger camps, caves and bases. Zoom in on the map to check POI icons for potential rewards—bases often yield intel. These are heavily guarded, so come prepared with strong skills and weapons, but the loot and intel are well worth the fight.
Bonus Tip: Survive Arrakis' Hostile Environment
Everything on Arrakis wants you dead. Watch out:
Sandstorms: Take cover as soon as you are alerted, even if it means fighting in a scavenger base.
Imperium Ships: Avoid their beacons at night to avoid Sardaukar attacks.
Drum Sand: Steer clear of red patches that attract sandworms with loud thumps.
The sandworm is an ever-present threat—move quickly and stay vigilant.
FAQs About Starting in Dune: Awakening
What resources should I prioritize early on?
Focus on plant fibre, scrap metal and fuel cells. Ignore granite and copper until you're ready to build a base.
How do I avoid sandworms when crossing sand?
Move quickly, place a spawn beacon ahead of time, and use skills such as Bindu Sprint or Sand Bike for speed.
Why shouldn't I build a large base in Haga Basin South?
You'll be leaving this zone after the early quests, so a simple 3x3 base will suffice until you find a permanent location.
Where can I find suspenser belts?
They can be found as loot in POIs, bought from vendors in settlements, or unlocked through research after completing missions.
What happens if I get caught in a sandstorm?
Your health will drain quickly. Find shelter in a base, cave or your own structure to survive.
Thanks for Reading
With these 10 tips, you're ready to tackle Dune: Awakening's harsh deserts and carve out your legacy on Arrakis. From smart resource management to mastering mobility, you'll avoid rookie mistakes and hit the ground running. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more guides, strategies to enhance your experience. Stay hydrated and travel safe in the dunes!