If you're diving into the vast deserts of Dune: Awakening, one of the first big decisions you'll face is picking a class. With five unique classes, each offering distinct playstyles and abilities, the choice can feel overwhelming. Whether you're a combat enthusiast or a survival strategist, understanding the class system is key to thriving on Arrakis. For more gaming insights and gear to enhance your experience, consider bookmarking our site and browsing our store for exclusive Dune-inspired goodies.
In this guide, we'll break down the class system, explore each class's strengths, and offer tips on mixing abilities to suit your playstyle. Let's navigate the sands together and find the perfect class for you.
With around 200 skill points available (not enough to max every ability), strategic choices are crucial. You can equip three active abilities at a time, alongside passives and techniques, allowing for creative builds. Advanced skills, often requiring a "spice prescient" state (activated by consuming spice), act as powerful ultimates. You can also respec your skills, giving flexibility to experiment.
Some trainers, like those for Trooper and Planetologist, are accessible early, while others (Mentat, Bene Gesserit, Swordmaster) require more effort to reach. This dynamic encourages planning but doesn't punish experimentation.
Breaking Down the Classes
Trooper: The Heavy-Hitting Shooter
Strengths: Excels with shotguns, heavy weapons (like flamethrowers and Vulcans), and suspensor belt mechanics.
Key Ability: Shigawire Claw – a grappling hook that maintains momentum, perfect for traversal and combat mobility.
Why Choose It: Trooper is ideal for players who love straightforward, high-damage shooter gameplay. Its passives boost body shot damage and suspensor belt utility, making it durable and versatile. The Energy Capsule ultimate amps ranged damage, especially when paired with passives like Death from Above for suspended attacks.
Tip: Even non-Trooper mains should grab Shigawire Claw for its universal utility.
Mentat: The Strategic Mastermind
Strengths: Specializes in information gathering, traps, and ranged precision.
Key Ability: Hunter Seeker – a drone dealing massive damage (1,200 in beta).
Why Choose It: Mentat suits players who enjoy planning and controlling the battlefield. Its passives enhance ranged and headshot damage, while abilities like Shield Wall and decoys manipulate combat. The Source of Power ultimate generates power for allies, making Mentat a group-play powerhouse.
Tip: Pair Mentat passives with Trooper for a deadly ranged build.
Bene Gesserit: The Supernatural Strategist
Strengths: Combines melee prowess with voice-based crowd control.
Key Ability: Bindu Sprint – a high-speed dash for repositioning or escaping.
Why Choose It: Bene Gesserit is perfect for players drawn to Dune's mystical lore. Abilities like Compel force enemies to approach, setting up melee combos or ranged shots. Passives boost healing and sunstroke resistance, while the ultimate reduces team damage taken.
Tip: Combine with Swordmaster for a melee-focused hybrid.
Swordmaster: The Melee Maestro
Strengths: Dominates close-quarters combat with blade and slow blade damage.
Key Ability: Knee Charge – a high-poise-damage attack that can end fights quickly.
Why Choose It: Swordmaster is for melee lovers who enjoy parrying, deflecting, and dealing burst damage. Passives like Dance of Blades and Retaliate reward skillful play, while Crippling Strike hampers enemy mobility. The ultimate, Precise Parry, shreds enemy defenses when spice prescient.
Tip: Use Bene Gesserit's Bindu Sprint to close gaps quickly.
Planetologist: The Survival Specialist
Strengths: Enhances resource gathering, vehicle efficiency, and exploration.
Key Ability: Suspensor Pad – a jump pad for traversal or disrupting enemies.
Why Choose It: Planetologist is ideal for PvE-focused players or those who love supporting their team. Passives boost spice yields, water collection, and vehicle performance. The Geographer passive lets you create and sell sync charts, perfect for earning profits.
Tip: Pair with Trooper for enhanced suspensor belt combos.
Mixing and Matching for Your Playstyle
The beauty of Dune: Awakening lies in its flexibility. Want a tanky shooter? Combine Trooper's durability with Mentat's ranged passives. Prefer a ninja-like melee build? Blend Swordmaster's parries with Bene Gesserit's sprint and voice abilities. Planetologist pairs well with any combat class for resource-focused players to maximize efficiency.
Experimentation is key. Since you can respec, try different combinations to find what clicks. Focus on abilities like Shigawire Claw or Bindu Sprint for universal utility, and prioritize passives that align with your preferred weapons or playstyle.
FAQs About Classes in Dune: Awakening
1. Can I change my class after picking one?
Yes, you can respec your skills anytime, but they are limited only by your total skill points. You can also unlock all classes via trainers.
2. Which class is best for beginners?
Trooper is the most accessible due to its straightforward shooter style and early trainer access. Its Shigawire Claw is also beginner-friendly.
3. Is Planetologist worth picking for combat?
While not combat-focused, Planetologist's passives (like power pack efficiency) and Suspensor Pad can support combat builds, especially with Trooper.
4. How important is the spice prescient state?
It's critical for advanced skills (ultimates), often requiring being spice prescient. Stock up on spices to unleash these powerful abilities.
5. What's the best class combo for PvP?
Trooper-Mentat for ranged dominance or Swordmaster-Bene Gesserit for melee control are strong PvP options, depending on your playstyle.
Thanks for Reading
Choosing the right class in Dune: Awakening is about aligning with your playstyle, whether blasting foes as a Trooper or charting the sands as a Planetologist. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more tips, guides, and updates on conquering Arrakis. Keep exploring, and we'll see you in the deep desert!