In Dune: Awakening, not every quest is about fighting. The Test of Cunning mission from House Atreides takes a different route—one where you use stealth and smart talk instead of weapons. This guide walks you through where to start, how to find your target, and how to finish the job without causing a scene.
This mission is part of the Vermillius Gap questline, and it becomes available shortly after you unlock your Sandbike, which is crafted using materials found during The Wreck of the Alcyon mission. Once you’ve got your ride, you’ll be ready to take on more advanced contracts in the desert.
How to Start the Test of Cunning Quest
Head to Vermillius Gap, one of the tougher desert areas in the game. With your newly built Sandbike, it’s finally possible to reach the deeper zones. Look for Lieutenant Anton Tolliver, an Atreides officer near a forward base or trade route—usually close to The Anvil Tradepost.
Tolliver gives you a subtle assignment: dig up some dirt on Maxim Kazmir, a Harkonnen officer climbing the ranks around The Anvil. To do that, you’ll first need to talk to a low-level Harko trooper named Lanov.
To track this quest, open your Journal and look for the mission titled Test of Cunning. Once selected, the objective marker will show up on your map and compass.
How to Get to Riftwatch and Find Lanov
Lanov is stationed at Riftwatch, a Harkonnen-controlled outpost near the Hagga Rift. You’ll need to use your Sandbike to safely cross the open desert—walking isn’t safe here unless you want to meet a sandworm.
Here’s how to reach Riftwatch from The Anvil:
- Ride your Sandbike east across the dunes until you see a line of cliffs.
- Follow the cliff wall south or use natural paths to climb the plateau.
- With the quest tracked, Lanov’s location will be marked on your compass and map.
The journey is pretty straightforward, but keep moving—hanging around in open sand is risky.
How to Talk to Lanov Without Getting Caught
Riftwatch is patrolled by guards, so going in loud will blow your cover. Stick to shadows, broken walls, or ruins to stay hidden. Use stealth gear like cloaking fields, or rely on any stealth-based skills you’ve unlocked (like camouflage). Watch enemy patrols and only move when the coast is clear.
When you reach Lanov, don’t fight. Just walk up to him and start a conversation—pretend you’re an officer checking up on the ranks. Lanov’s a Semuta addict, so he’s not thinking clearly. If you act like you’re in charge, he probably won’t question you.
Pick the right dialogue choices, and he’ll start talking about Maxim Kazmir and give you the info you need.
But if he doesn’t talk—or you fail the Charisma check—you still have a backup plan. Check the area for things like dropped datapads, message logs, or evidence caches. These can give you the same key info to finish the mission.
What to Do After You Get the Info
Once you’ve got the dirt on Kazmir—whether from Lanov or from scavenged intel—head back to Lieutenant Tolliver near The Anvil.
Enemy patrols may have shifted, so use alternate routes if needed. Avoid picking fights. Getting caught or killing guards could affect your standing with the Atreides.
Turn in the evidence to Tolliver and the quest ends. Here’s what you’ll earn:
- 350 XP
- 1,200 Solari
- +50 Atreides Reputation
Completing this stealth mission proves you’re more than just a sword arm—it shows you can handle tricky political work, too.
What Comes After This Quest?
Finishing the Test of Cunning pushes you closer to becoming an official Atreides agent—but you’ve got one more test to go. Tolliver will soon assign you a tougher mission that involves fighting off Kirab enemies in the desert.
After completing that job, you’ll officially join House Atreides. That unlocks:
- Faction-only gear and weapons
- A new line of exclusive missions
- Access to rank-based rewards and political influence
The Test of Cunning is a nice break from all the combat-focused missions in Dune: Awakening. It’s all about stealth, dialogue, and smart thinking—skills that matter just as much as firepower in the world of Arrakis.
Whether you trick Lanov or find evidence on your own, this quest proves you’re ready for the deeper political game. And it’s one more step toward earning your place with House Atreides.
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