Dune Awakening Chapter 2: What’s Next for Arrakis?

The sands of Arrakis are shifting, and Dune: Awakening is bringing fresh content to keep players immersed in this unforgiving survival MMO. From the thrilling CHOAM Salvage Rights event to the upcoming Chapter 2 update and Lost Harvest DLC, there's plenty to explore. Whether you're scavenging crashed freighters or preparing for new storylines, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the game's roadmap, events, server challenges, and DLC plans. If you're looking to dominate the dunes, consider bookmarking our site for the latest tips and checking out our Dune: Awakening store for Solari, vehicles, uniques, and materials to enhance your journey.

CHOAM Salvage Rights Event: A Battle for Loot

Running until September 10, 2025, the CHOAM Salvage Rights event transforms Hagga Basin into a chaotic battlefield. CHOAM freighters, shot down by Kirab bandits using repurposed Harkonnen turrets, litter the desert with valuable cargo. This limited-time event offers players a chance to earn exclusive rewards while preparing for the upcoming Chapter 2 update and Lost Harvest DLC. Here's how to dive in:

• How to Start: Visit CHOAM merchants at trading posts like Pinnacle Tradepost, Anvil Tradepost, Arrakeen, Harko Village, or Griffin's Reach. Look for the white CHOAM hologram to spot them. Some servers have reported bugs with missing NPCs, so check multiple locations if needed.

• Contracts: Merchants offer three contracts—Retrieve CHOAM Cargo, Sabotage Kirab Emplacements, and They Shall Pay (kill 25 Kirab). Each rewards 150 XP and 4,500 Solari, with cargo as the event's main currency. You'll need 125 cargo pieces to unlock all rewards, including weapon skins and a miniature turret base decoration.

• Gameplay Tips: Solo players should focus on sabotaging turrets for low-risk cargo. Groups can tackle freighters, splitting roles to defend against bandits and sandworms. Always monitor your worm meter—yellow or red signals danger. Use rocky terrain for safe landings and Thumpers to distract sandworms.

• Why It Matters: Beyond cosmetics, the event builds Solari reserves and hones survival skills for Chapter 2's expanded content. It's a taste of the dynamic, lore-rich events Dune: Awakening is leaning into, tying into the game's narrative of trade monopolies and bandit raids.

The event's high-risk, high-reward gameplay is a perfect warm-up for what's coming next. However, server instability has been a hurdle, with some players reporting crashes after patches. Funcom is actively addressing these issues, but it's a reminder to plan your salvage runs carefully.

Chapter 2 Free Update: Expanding the Story

Set to launch on September 9, 2025, alongside the Lost Harvest DLC, the Chapter 2 free update continues the main storyline with new quests, locations, and characters. Here's what to expect:

• Story Continuation: Dive deeper into the alternate timeline where Paul Atreides was never born, exploring sinister revelations from Chapter 1. New faces and familiar factions like Atreides and Harkonnen add depth to the narrative.

• Dynamic Encounters: While specifics are unclear, these promise more varied AI interactions or world events, potentially refreshing mob behavior in Hagga Basin and beyond.

• New Content: Expect new contracts, archetype armors, hairstyles, tattoos, and social hub quests. Deep Desert layouts will also see updates, addressing repetitive endgame loops.

• Quality-of-Life Improvements: Features like character re-customization, vehicle renaming, and more reliable ornithopter rockets aim to smooth out gameplay.

This update is a win for all players, offering substantial content without a paywall. It's a nod to Funcom's commitment to keeping the base game engaging while balancing paid DLCs.

Lost Harvest DLC: A Paid Adventure

Priced at $12.99 (or included in the Season Pass, Deluxe, and Ultimate Editions), the Lost Harvest DLC launches on September 9, 2025, with a standalone storyline and new gameplay elements:

• Story: Follow a stranded harvester and its desperate crew, uncovering secrets tied to Arrakis' ancient past. The narrative integrates with the overworld map, similar to endgame quests like A Sign From Above.

• New Vehicle: The treadwheel, a two-wheeled vehicle with unique animations, is designed for sand travel and may reduce sandworm attraction compared to other vehicles. While locked behind the DLC, parts may be available on the player market, offering a workaround for non-buyers.

• Cosmetics and Contracts: Expect new armor and weapon skins, building pieces, a Dune Man building set, swatches, emotes, and a new contract chain with unique locations.

The DLC complements the free Chapter 2 update, focusing on side content and cosmetics rather than essential gameplay, ensuring non-buyers aren't left behind.

Future Roadmap: What's Coming in 2026

Funcom's roadmap extends into 2026, balancing free updates and paid DLCs to keep Arrakis alive:

• Chapter 3 (January–March 2026): A revamped endgame is the highlight, addressing the current lack of depth in Deep Desert activities. Expect improved loot systems, instanced Testing Stations to prevent camping, and a vehicle salvaging system.

• Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC (January–March 2026): This introduces cosmetics and potentially a new vehicle, set in the shattered plains known for their raiders.

• Chapter 4 (April–June 2026): Details are scarce, but it will likely continue story and endgame enhancements.

• The Water Wars DLC (April–June 2026): Focused on PvP, this expansion introduces water facility raids and seasonal control mechanics for the Polar Caps.

• Console Release and Expansion (2026): PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are planned, alongside a major paid expansion not covered by the Season Pass.

Funcom's monthly cycle of monitoring feedback, fixing bugs, and patching aims to address server issues, but recent crashes highlight the need for more polish before major releases.

Server Issues: A Bumpy Ride

Server stability has been a pain point, with crashes reported after patches, including during the CHOAM Salvage Rights event. Funcom's roadmap includes a monthly patch cycle to address bugs, but downtimes have frustrated players, leading some to take breaks. The developers are under pressure to deliver, and while their commitment to fixes is clear, rushed updates risk alienating the player base. To mitigate this, Funcom is introducing offline notifications for base status and improved logging to track lost items or vehicles.

Free vs. Paid DLC: A Balanced Approach

Funcom's model of pairing free Chapter updates with paid DLCs is a smart move. Free updates deliver story, quests, and core gameplay enhancements, while DLCs like Lost Harvest focus on optional vehicles, cosmetics, and side stories. The Season Pass ($24.99) includes the first four DLCs, starting with Wildlife of Arrakis, making it a cost-effective choice for dedicated players. This approach ensures accessibility while rewarding those who invest in extras, avoiding the pay-to-win trap.

FAQs About What's Next for Arrakis

How do I start the CHOAM Salvage Rights event?

Visit CHOAM merchants at trading posts like Arrakeen or Pinnacle Tradepost. Accept contracts to collect cargo, sabotage turrets, or kill Kirab bandits. Check multiple locations if NPCs are missing due to server bugs.

What rewards can I earn from the CHOAM Salvage Rights event?

You can earn 150 XP and 4,500 Solari per contract, plus weapon skins and a miniature turret base decoration by collecting 125 CHOAM Cargo.

What's included in the Chapter 2 free update?

Chapter 2 offers new story quests, dynamic encounters, social hub contracts, archetype armors, hairstyles, tattoos, and Deep Desert layout updates, launching September 9, 2025.

Is the Lost Harvest DLC worth buying?

Priced at $12.99, it includes a standalone story, the treadwheel vehicle, and cosmetics. It's optional but adds flavor for players wanting more content. Parts may be available on the player market.

When will server issues be fixed?

Funcom's monthly patch cycle aims to address crashes and bugs, with improvements like offline notifications and better logging planned for 2026. However, some issues persist, so report bugs in-game.

Thanks for Reading

The Dune: Awakening roadmap and CHOAM Salvage Rights event signal a bright future for Arrakis, despite server hiccups. With Chapter 2 and Lost Harvest dropping soon, now's the time to gear up and dive into the sands. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides and updates to keep your survival journey epic.