After diving into the first 30 hours of Dune: Awakening, we’ve found that two classes really shine for newcomers: the Mentat and the Bene Gesserit. The unique class system in the game allows you to gradually unlock abilities from other classes, enhancing your gameplay as you progress.
In this discussion, we’ll explore why both the Mentat and the Bene Gesserit are top choices for starting out, ultimately leading to a preference for one over the other.
The Mentat
The Mentat is an exceptional choice for solo play, primarily due to The Sentinel, a turret you can deploy almost right away. This turret covers a large area and automatically targets enemy NPCs, making it feel like you always have a teammate by your side.
This makes tackling the initial challenges of Dune: Awakening—especially the early game dungeons—much easier. You can speed through the Testing Stations and quickly gain access to your first sandbike when playing as a Mentat.
While the Mentat does have some mobility limitations compared to the Bene Gesserit (which we’ll get to shortly), you can acquire the Shigawire Claw from the Trooper trainer in the starting outpost. This grappling hook helps mitigate some of the class’s sluggishness.
Mentat Abilities
- The Sentinel – Deployable dart turret
- Poison Capsule
- Hunter-Seeker
- Shield Wall
- Source of Power
For more detailed information on the Mentat’s abilities, strategies, and a starting build, check the resources available online.
Mid to Late Game Mentat
As you move deeper into the game, the Mentat evolves into a long-range assassin in PvP scenarios, while also providing support to allies. If sniping is your style, the Mentat is an excellent fit.
The Bene Gesserit
The Bene Gesserit boasts one of the strongest starting utility abilities: the Bindu Sprint. This skill significantly speeds up your movement across the Hagga Basin, which is especially useful since you start without a vehicle. This early speed boost allows you to navigate content much quicker than other classes.
It also offers a way to avoid getting caught by giant sandworms when moving between rock formations, which is definitely a plus.
However, the key drawback of the Bene Gesserit—contributing to our preference for the Mentat—is its emphasis on melee combat. The melee mechanics in Dune: Awakening aren’t particularly strong, especially at the outset.
Though the Bene Gesserit excels in dealing with elite enemies that require close combat to break their shields, you might find it challenging to clear out larger groups effectively.
Mid to Late Game Bene Gesserit
As you progress and unlock more abilities, the Bene Gesserit transforms into a valuable asset for your team. You can control enemies and provide crowd control for both player opponents and endgame NPCs.
Swordmaster and Trooper
We wouldn’t recommend starting with the Trooper class. Since you’ll have access to the Trooper Trainer at your first outpost, you can easily pick up Trooper abilities in just a couple of hours.
The Swordmaster, on the other hand, offers a bit more complexity. If you enjoy melee play, there’s no reason not to choose the Swordmaster as your initial class.
