Dune Awakening Planetologist location

Where can you find the Planetologist in Dune Awakening? The Planetologist class is arguably the most important one to unlock in Dune Awakening, at least at the beginning of your journey. Why? Because its skills help you gather more materials, manage your vehicles more easily, unlock useful survival perks, and more!

Don't worry, you didn't make a grave mistake at character creation, as you can only unlock the Planetologist class by finding the trainer Derek Chinara. We've explained the Planetologist's location in Dune Awakening below, as well as where to find the Advanced Planetologist for even more perks. And for extra help, check out our guides on base building in Dune Awakening, and the latest on how private servers work now that the MMO game has officially launched.

The Dune Awakening Planetologist is located in the small camp above Imperial Testing Station No. 2, in the middle of Hagga Basin South. Speak to Derek Chinara here and enquire about his training to pick up the 'Minimic Film Recovery' contract that asks you to retrieve an item from inside Imperial Testing Station No. 2.

You can't learn the Planetologist class until you complete this contract for Derek. As you go to and explore Imperial Testing Station No. 2 as part of the first few hours of the story, we recommend leaving your conversation with Derek until you reach the area naturally.

The item that Derek is looking for is the Imperial Testing Station Records, which you find at the end of Imperial Testing Station No. 2. Specifically, the records are located behind a secret bookcase in the dead-end room at the end of the station. Search the chests on the table in the middle of the secret room behind the bookcase to grab the records.

Now return to Derek, hand the records over, and ask to learn from him again to unlock the Planetologist skill tree.

Advanced Planetologist location in Dune Awakening

The Advanced Planetologist in Dune Awakening is located at the start of Imperial Testing Station No. 197, which is found in the southwestern area of Western Vermillius Gap. Surprise—the Advanced Planetologist is Derek again! So you need to make sure you've completed his first contract in Imperial Testing Station No. 2 to access Derek's Level 2 skills.

Safely make your way to the bottom of the huge gap that acts as the entrance to Imperial Testing Station No. 197, then speak to Derek here and pick up the 'Buried Archives' contract from him. You're asked to retrieve some Imperial Testing Station Records again, but these are thankfully located close to the entrance.

All you need to do is continue taking the right turns until you enter a room containing three enemies and an Identification Band. The records are in a chest in the small room to the right of the Identification Band. Take the records back to Derek, hand them over, and then travel back to his camp above Imperial Testing Station No. 2 to learn Level 2 Planetologist skills.

To unlock more levels, you need to advance through all of Derek's quests. Make sure you exhaust all of his new dialogue options as you advance to find out what you have to do next. Then, usually, you'll return to Derek at the top of Testing Station No. 2 to learn skills and pick up your new quest. So if you ever find yourself stuck on what to do on Derek's questline, just return to him at Testing Station No. 2.

That's all you need to unlock the Planetologist class in Dune Awakening. For more help on your journey across Arrakis, check out our guides on Dune Awakening Blood Purifiers, and how to get water if you find you're struggling to stay properly hydrated.