Summary
InDune: Awakening,players will have to use their wits and craft indispensablegearto survive the merciless sands of Arrakis. But not all items in the game offer a considerable advantage, and only a select number of weapons, armor, and other equipment found in the early game can make a true difference for players.
This list spotlights some of the best earlygear that players can use to customizetheir characters, and turn them into successful planet explorers, deadly troopers, or simply survive the many Trials that the world ofDune: Awakeninghas in store for them.
1Binoculars
An Essential Tool You Need To Have
TheBinocularsare one of the most underestimated pieces of gear players will be able to unlock early during their journey inDune: Awakening.Realistically speaking, this tool only helps players to see far in the distance, exploring PoI’s and marking hidden resource spots among the rocky islands of Arrakis. But, there’s an extra function that this gear has, and few people talk about: Spotting Sandworm routes.
Using the Binoculars, players will be able to detect where Sandworms breach and track their path until they are far enough to let them cross between the Big Open Sand Areas. By rule of thumb, a Distance of 1000 meters equals 35 to 40 seconds to cross an Open Sand gap of a similar distance, before the Sandworm roaming that area breaches in front or behind the player. This time might be reduced to 30 seconds or less if players are too noisy (using skills, running through Drum Sand, or jumping). In other words, players must craft and use this to survive.
2Respawn Beacon
Will Spare You From Unnecessary Trouble
The Respawn Beacon is one of the most useful objects inDune: Awakening, and players only need 20 Salvaged Metal to craft it. Each Respawn Beacon will allow players to save a checkpoint in case they die under fire of the many human enemies in the game, both NPCs and other players. When players die, they will drop their loot but not their gear, so they will be able to quickly go back to the place where they fell and recover it. In case of PvP areas, this gets a little bit complicated, since enemy players will probably loot the corpse or camp it to kill players again.
But, in those cases where the players die by ‘natural’ causes, like dehydration, a regular sandstorm, being shot out by bandits, or an unfortunate climbing accident, the Respawn Beacon planted nearby will allow them to pop up back into action and recover their loot, before the desert claims it back. On that note, if players die in a Coriolis Storm or are eaten by a Sandworm, they will lose everything they own, including their gear.
3Old Sparky Mk. 1
This Unique Battery Works Better Than Higher-Tiered Versions
The Old Sparky Mk. 1 is a battery module that can be equipped to fuel most of the tools, shields, and other implements that the player needs during their travels. Most of the battery modules are slow to recharge and lose durability fast, but the Old Sparky Mk. 1 is both durable and powerful, and will take players a long time to replace it with something better (from the Steel Tier).
Its energy efficiency is quite high, as well, allowing players to channel Cutterays for longer periods, getting maximum extraction yield. Players can find the blueprint for the Old Sparky Mk. 1 inside the Imperial Testing Station Nº2, alongside the Emperor’s Wings Mk. 1 blueprint, which is also one of the best starting gear in the game. Both of these items requireSpice-Infused Copper Dustto be crafted.
4The Emperor’s Wings Mk. 1
Essential For Early Traversal And Reaching Great Heights
This suspension belt module will allow players to glide safely and reduce fall impact by 65%, but it is also great for hovering across gaps, between rocky platforms, and basically, mocking gravity in its ugly face. Players will soon grow fond of this module, so much so that they might even avoid using anything better until they reach Steel Tier.
The Emperor’s Wing Mk. 1 is a craftable Unique Grade suspension belt, and its schematic lies at the deepest level of the Imperial Testing Station Nº2, a place that players might be exploring if they are trying to complete thePlanetologist Skill Tree Unlock Quest.
5Aren’s Vengeance
You Won’t Need Any Other Gun Until Later
A Pulse Rifle that shoots a burst of darts with extreme precision, andcan be found quite early in the gameinside Broken Stone Station, on the southernmost rocky island of Hagga Basin. This weapon has incredible durability, damage, recoil, range, and control, so it’s one of the best gear players can craft early during the adventure.
Its recipe requires Spice-Infused Copper Dust, but if players are farming the Imperial Testing Station Nº2 or the Wreck of the Alcyon, they will be able to obtain lots of these useful crafting materials with ease.
6Kaleff’s Drinker
The Best Blade Weapon You Can Get Early
This fast and deadly knife made of precious resources will accompany players quite far inDune: Awakening,since its damage output is far superior to many tier 2 and 3 melee weapons. On the other hand, Kaleff’s Drinker has a unique perk that makes it drain the blood of the enemies while players hit them, filling any available blood bag in their inventories.
That way,players can farm water and experienceat the same time, killing two birds with the same stone (or knife in this case). Kaleff’s Drinker schematic can be found inside the Wreck of the Alcyon, and players can reach this place by following the Main Quest, so there’s no chance they’ll miss the chance to get this powerful weapon.
7Way Of The Fallen
Deadly At Mid And Short Range
This unique version of the basic Maula Dart Pistol causes enhanced damage, and has a faster reload and fire rate than the base model. This unique pistol’s schematic can be found while exploring the Old Griffin Hideaway, a small bandit camp rigged with explosives that can kill players on the spot if they’re not careful.
Players will find the Old Griffin Hideaway while exploring the middle rocky island of Hagga Basin, southwest of the Trading Post. To craft it, players will require 6x Copper Ingots, 3x Mechanical Parts, and 3x Spice-Infused Copper Dust.
8Scavenger Set
Your Best Early Armor Option
The Scavenger Set is unlocked once players complete the Wreck Of The Alcyon Main Quest, and unlike the basic Armor or the Fremen Stillsuit, this set offers real protection against the dangerous bandits, scavengers, and Sardaukar patrols that will try to kill the player on sight.
This gear is relatively easy to craft, and will protect players for as long as they unlock Tier 2/3 Iron gear, allowing them to survive long enough to leave Hagga Basin into the merciless open world of Dune: Awakening.
9Bandit Sandbike
Get This Vehicle Asap, Saves A Lot Of Time
Most of the players are scratching their heads onhow to unlock the Sandbikeearly during the adventure, and the answer lies in the many Intel PoIs scattered across the map. Many of these are bandit fortresses, that, like any inhabitant of Arrakis, need transport to move between the rocky islands and the dunes.
Not many players know that they can actually steal and claim Ownership of a bandit Sandbike early during the adventure, unlocking a fast way to travel in the early stages of the game. This also saves players the effort of crafting their Mk. 1 Sandbike, since these are primed for usage. The only thing they need to be careful about is the Fuel, which can be obtained in containers from bandit bases. But Fuel Cells are quite scarce, so worst-case scenario, players will have to purchase them from the Hagga Basin Market.
