Lessons I Wished I'd Learned Before Beginning Dune: Awakening
Tossin' it old school with Dune: Awakening, y'all! This game has been pure gold since I got my grubby little hands on it, even more polished than when I caught wind of it in the press and creator beta.
With so many players diving headfirst into this game, there's bound to be a lot of wannabe Fremen making the same mistakes I did. Learning from someone else's gaffes is always a smoother ride, and what I've got for you today is an insider look at naving your way through the sandy landscapes of Dune for a stellar start. Here's a quick crash course in conquering the universe of Dune: Awakening like a seasoned veteran!
Don't Get Too Attached to Your First Compound
Your inner Mad Max is begging to unleash, but putting the pedal to the metal too early is a one-way ticket to instant insanity. Post-tutorial phase, you'll need to motor on up North and throw down roots somewhere new. Bad news: your original spot gets abandoned and left for the elements. In a perfect world, you could just build another rickety base on top of the old one, but it doesn't make much sense to spend resources on a location you'll likely never return to. Save that precious tax money for more vital ventures.
Catch a Free Ride by Being Lunch
Forgot where you left your sand bike? Well, grab your swimsuit, because there's an easy way to replace it – getting gobbled up by a sandworm! All you gotta do is follow the "Find the Fremen" quest, "The First Trial of AQL," and earned your way across the desert north of Hagga Basin South on foot. Running barefoot through the desert is a tasty treat for a sandworm, so once you're chomped, you'll respawn without losing a thing.
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Picking Your Class Doesn't Matter, But Don't Be a Trooper
Once you boot up the game, every class is unlocked gradually via trainers who'll ask you to complete a contract in exchange for their teachings. By the time you reach Griffin Trading Post, you'll run into the Trooper class trainer. Complete their contract, and you'll gain initial access to the grappling hook, the best non-combat ability in the game, as well as the rest of the Trooper base set.
So, no worries if you dodged one of your friends' cool new skills: you'll eventually have access to the same abilities. In fact, if there's anything I'd recommend avoiding, it's the Trooper class. Since it's available early in the game, getting it first means waiting longer for the other classes.
Enemies Drop Their Shields When Shooting
This might seem embarrassingly obvious, but hey, the gaffes we make are the lessons we learn, right? Enemies drop their shields when they're blasting away, so if you've got a minigun wielder with a protective shield, now's the time to start peppering him with bullets!
Disruptor SMGs Spell Doom for Shields
Looking for a sneaky way around the shield mechanic? Look no further than the Disruptor SMG. This overpowered little guy sends out a shower of darts that hit at differing velocities, piercing shields and doing them in. Trust me, this bad boy makes the game a whole lot easier once you get your hands on it.
Respawn Beacons and Respawn Points
I was a dunce when it came to understanding the importance of respawn beacons and respawn points. After kicking the bucket from dumb ol' accidents and finding myself back in Hagga Basin South, I'm here to spread the gospel on these lifesaving devices.
Respawn beacons are a cinch to craft and make excellent companions as you set out on expeditions. Pop one down while you're scooping up an intel point, and you'll come back to life a lot quicker than if you left it up to ol' Feyd-Rautha there.
Belts, Climbing, and Even Vehicles Save Your Behind from Fall Damage
I was terrible at this one, but after getting my fragile butt capped a few times from silly mishaps and finding myself back at base, I'm here to sing the praises of respawn beacons and setting your respawn point.
After establishing a new base, your respawn point won't automatically move with you. Spawning elsewhere could land you in a world of hurt, like when I stumbled off a cliff into enemy territory and ended up getting peppered with lead before I could even get back on my feet.
Another clever trick is to utilize respawn beacons. Just plant one of these bad boys down at the intel point or another vital spot you might find yourself in a pickle at. You'll thank me later.
Sandworms Only Attack After Surfacing
Navigating the mysterious world of sandworms can be tricky, but fear not – I've got your back. Once you've spotted one of these tangled wrecks, there's a quick and easy method to detect its attack patterns.
A small wave beneath your character while you're out on the sand is just a mix of noise and threat levels produced by your character as they traverse the desert. This will intensify if a sandworm is lurking nearby. Once detected, your wave will shake like a champagne bottle, and a wormie shall emerge.
Respeccing is Budget-Friendly, But Limited
Respeccing ain't gonna cost you a dime in Dune: Awakening. Who needs a mystical Yellow Lotus potion a la Conan Exiles, right? The trade-off is that you can only respec once every 48 hours, so plan your builds thoughtfully if you want to switch between PvE and PvP orientations without losing time.
Bonus tip: you can't retrain your research. What you learn is what you learn, but by the end of the game, you'll have discovered every blueprint. Phew!
Dune: Awakening drops on general release from June 10, 2025. Although console releases are in the works, it's currently only available on PC via Steam.
- With the upcoming release of Dune: Awakening on PC, gamers can take advantage of the respeccing feature, which allows players to switch their skill build without any cost, but it's only available once every 48 hours.
- When navigating the desolate landscapes of Dune: Awakening, remember that sandworms only attack after surfacing. A small wave beneath your character while traversing the desert is just a noise, but a shaking wave indicates the presence of a sandworm.
- Caught without your sand bike in Dune: Awakening? Simply follow the "Find the Fremen" quest, "The First Trial of AQL," and get gobbled up by a sandworm to respawn without losing any gear.
- If you're looking for a challenging game on your PC, be sure to check out Dune: Awakening, available on Steam. Don't forget to learn from others' mistakes when playing, such as not getting too attached to your first compound and picking your class wisely to avoid delays in unlocking other classes.
