The Planetologist in Dune Awakening is a resourceful specialization focused on maximizing survival, resource gathering, and vehicle efficiency. Unlike traditional classes, it cannot be chosen at the start. Instead, you must unlock it through exploration and a questline tied to an NPC named Derek Chinara. This guide covers every step of the unlocking process and provides a comprehensive overview of all skills, buffs, and passives you’ll gain.
Where to Find the Planetologist Class Trainer
To begin unlocking the Planetologist class, you’ll need to locate Derek Chinara, the NPC trainer for this path. He becomes available early in the game, offering players a way to gain utility-based skills from the very beginning.
You’ll find Derek near the Griffin’s Reach Tradepost in the Hagga Basin South region. His exact position is above Imperial Testing Station No. 2, perched on a rock formation. Once you speak with him, your journey toward becoming a Planetologist begins.
Starting the Questline: Minimic Film Recovery
Derek assigns you the first quest: Minimic Film Recovery. It tasks you with heading into the Imperial Testing Station No. 2 to retrieve a specific item. The mission isn’t just a fetch quest—it introduces key mechanics that repeat throughout this class path.
- Enter the testing station beneath Derek.
- Navigate through hostile areas until you reach a spiral staircase and a green energy door.
- Interact with the glowing yellow bookshelf to reveal a hidden room.
- Retrieve the Minimic Film from the round table.
- Prepare for an ambush as you pick up the item.
After returning this item to Derek, the base Planetologist skill nodes will unlock, giving you access to the first tier of abilities and passives.
Advanced Unlocks and Continuing Derek’s Questline
Your progression doesn’t end with one quest. Derek continues his journey across Arrakis, stopping at different testing stations as you unlock more powerful Planetologist perks. You’ll need to locate and assist him at each new stop:
- Buried Archives at Testing Station No. 197: Unlocks Advanced Trainer Level 2
- Science Unlocked at Testing Station No. 76: Unlocks Advanced Trainer Level 3
- A Reasonable Routine at Testing Station No. 29: Unlocks the Spice Surveyor passive
- Clues From The Past at Testing Station No. 71: Unlocks Conservation of Energy technique
- Final Quests: Unlock Heat Management and a unique stillsuit
Continue tracking Derek’s location to progress through each tier of the skill tree.
Planetologist Skill Tree Breakdown
Once fully unlocked, the Planetologist skill tree opens into three branches: Scientist, Explorer, and Mechanic. These categories reflect the playstyle focus—whether that’s maximizing resources, mastering terrain, or enhancing vehicle operation.
Scientist Tree – Efficiency, Mining, and Power Optimization
Cutteray Mining (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% yield | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Boosts cutteray efficiency; great for spice and mineral farming in PvE.
Dew Gathering (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% yield | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Improves water yield from dew harvesters. Vital for survival during long expeditions.
Rerouting (Passive)
- Level 1: +2.5% regen | Level 2: +5% | Level 3: +10%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Helps recharge power packs faster. Useful for mining, shields, or tools.
Deep Analysis (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% bonus yield | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Maximize value from analysis mode mining. Great for gathering rare resources.
Compaction (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Boosts compactor efficiency. Use during base processing or refining.
Overcharge (Passive)
- Level 1: +20 power | Level 2: +30 | Level 3: +40
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Increases max energy pool. Supports extended use of powered tools.
Conservation of Energy (Technique)
- Level 1: -3% | Level 2: -6% | Level 3: -9% power usage
- Skill Points: 2 each level (must equip)
Reduces total energy drain. Essential for long mining, scanning, or exploring sequences.
Explorer Tree – Movement, Survival, and Map Control
Suspensor Pad (Ability)
- Cooldown: 15s | Stamina: 15
- Skill Points: 2
Launch yourself or allies vertically. Great for cliffs, platforms, and evasions.
Cartographer (Passive)
- Always Active
- Skill Points: 2
Enables sinkchart creation from surveys. Supports efficient map coverage.
Mountaineer (Passive)
- Level 1: -15% | Level 2: -20% | Level 3: -25% climbing stamina drain
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Reduces climbing fatigue. Useful for cave and ridge traversal.
Scanner Mastery (Passive)
- Level 1: +15% | Level 2: +20% | Level 3: +25% detection radius
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Improves range of your scanner. Ideal for spice detection and threats.
Stillsuit Seals (Passive)
- Level 1: 105% | Level 2: 110% | Level 3: 115% hydration capture
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Boosts stillsuit efficiency. Extends survivability in harsh zones.
Spice Surveyor (Passive)
- Always Active
- Skill Points: 2
Reveals dense spice beds in Deep Desert. Excellent for focused harvesting.
Mechanic Tree – Vehicle Mastery and Combat Readiness
Vehicle Repair (Passive)
- Level 1: -15% | Level 2: -20% | Level 3: -25% max durability loss
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Saves materials over time. Key for long vehicle-based travel.
Fuel Efficient Driver (Passive)
- Level 1: -15% | Level 2: -20% | Level 3: -25% fuel usage
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Reduces fuel drain on land vehicles. Perfect for convoy setups.
Fuel Efficient Pilot (Passive)
- Level 1: -15% | Level 2: -20% | Level 3: -25% fuel usage
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Saves fuel during air scouting missions. Great for aerial surveying.
Vehicle Scanning (Passive)
- Level 1: +15% | Level 2: +20% | Level 3: +25% detection radius
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Extends mounted scanner range. Useful for driving and locating resources on the move.
Vehicle Mining (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20% yield
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Improves vehicle-based resource gathering. Great for automated or heavy-duty farming.
Sandcrawler Yield (Passive)
- Level 1: +10% | Level 2: +15% | Level 3: +20%
- Skill Points: 1, 2, 3
Enhances spice extraction via sandcrawlers. Critical for high-volume collectors.
Heat Management (Passive)
- Reduces heat by 20% (Requires Spice Prescient)
- Skill Points: 2
Minimizes heat buildup during high spice conditions. Must-have for melange-based builds.
Final Thoughts
The Planetologist skill tree in Dune Awakening is one of the most utility-rich options in the game. Whether you’re focused on thriving in harsh environments, optimizing your vehicle fleet, or harvesting every last bit of Arrakis’ resources, the Planetologist path offers tools to match your ambitions.
And remember—Dune Awakening’s class system lets you mix and match trees. Once unlocked, you can blend Planetologist perks with other roles like Bene Gesserit or Trooper, creating a truly personalized build.
Planetologist Compared to Other Classes
- Bene Gesserit: Offers crowd control and manipulation—Planetologist leans into utility and survival instead.
- Mentat: Focuses on intelligence and precision—Planetologist excels in raw efficiency and harvesting.
- Trooper: Melee and ranged combat-focused—Planetologist supports with mobility and supplies.
- Swordmaster: Master of close combat—Planetologist avoids direct combat and enhances group logistics.
For explorers, survivalists, and base builders alike, unlocking the Planetologist early helps you carve a lasting foothold in the sands of Arrakis.
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