Here’s everything you need to know about the Planetologist class in Dune Awakening, from abilities to playstyle and skill trees.
Dune Awakening throws you right into the heart of Arrakis, where survival is just the beginning. It’s a massive open-world MMO where sandstorms, rival players, and harsh terrain are constant threats, and every choice you make matters. One of the most important early decisions is picking your class, which shapes how you explore, fight, and interact with the world around you.
There are five main classes in Dune Awakening: Trooper, Mentat, Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, and Planetologist. Each one brings something unique to the table. In this article, we’re focusing on the Planetologist, an exploration and science-driven class built for players who enjoy gathering resources, navigating dangerous environments, and helping their team stay alive in the desert.
We’ll cover how it plays, what its skills are like, and how it fits into the world of Arrakis.
What Is the Planetologist Class?
The Planetologist isn’t available right from the start. You’ll need to unlock it by visiting Imperial Research Station No. 2 and speaking with a Planetologist NPC there to start a specific questline. Once unlocked, you gain access to a full skill tree centered on exploration, scanning, and efficient resource use.
In the lore, Planetologists are part scientist and part survivalist. Their role is to help terraform and study planets like Arrakis. That means they’re incredibly well-equipped to handle harsh environments and get the most out of every resource they come across, whether that’s water from Dew Reapers, spice from the sands, or minerals from the rocks.
Planetologist Class Core Playstyle
The Planetologist’s main strength lies in efficiency. This class is built around making your tools last longer, pulling more resources from every harvest, and staying out in the desert longer than anyone else. If you’re someone who enjoys methodically scanning areas, picking clean every drop of spice, and navigating rough terrain with purpose, this class is built for you.
Planetologists aren’t focused on combat. Their gear and skills lean more toward utility and survival. They work best when you’re exploring, gathering, or supporting a group that’s out in the field. You’ll have a toolkit that helps with managing power, improving vehicle performance, and staying hydrated.
There’s also a good chunk of tech-focused abilities that let you scan and analyze your surroundings more effectively.
Planetologist: All Skill Trees
The Planetologist class is split into three skill trees: Scientist, Explorer, and Mechanic. Each one focuses on a different aspect of survival and exploration, but they all work together to make you incredibly self-sufficient out on Arrakis.
The Scientist path is all about maximizing your output. You’ll get more minerals from mining, collect more water from dew reapers, and make your tools more efficient. Skills like Cutteray Mining, Compaction, and Dew Gathering increase your yield, while Overcharge and Rerouting improve your power management.
The Explorer tree gives you tools for adapting to the environment. You’ll be able to climb more easily, manage your hydration better, and even launch yourself into the air using a Suspensor Pad. This tree also includes scanning upgrades like Scanner Mastery and the ability to create sinkcharts for better map tracking.
The Mechanic tree focuses on vehicles—making them last longer, consume less fuel, and gather more materials when you use them for mining. Skills like Vehicle Repair, Vehicle Mining, and Sandcrawler Yield make a big difference in long-distance travel and heavy resource runs. You also get heat management tools to help vehicles perform better during spice-enhanced activities.
How It Feels to Play Planetologist
Playing as a Planetologist feels a bit like being the team’s survival expert. You won’t always be on the front lines in combat, but you’ll be the one keeping things going in the background. Whether you’re exploring a new region or setting up for a resource run, your abilities help keep everything smooth and sustainable.
What makes it satisfying is the feeling of constantly improving efficiency. You’ll notice your Cutteray harvesting faster, your vehicle lasting longer, and your hydration levels staying stable even in the deepest desert. The class rewards patience and planning, and it’s especially enjoyable for players who like to optimize systems and scout out hard-to-reach places.
Should You Pick Planetologist?
If you enjoy PvE content, exploration, crafting, and survival mechanics, then Planetologist is a fantastic choice. It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require twitchy reflexes, and has a rewarding loop of improvement over time. You’ll always feel useful, especially when your group needs resources, maps, or someone who just knows how to survive out there.
On the other hand, if you’re mainly looking for combat-heavy action or fast-paced PvP, this class may feel too passive for your taste. But for anyone who likes to play the long game, build up resources, and fully explore what Arrakis has to offer, Planetologist can easily become a favorite.
Before You Go
If you’re looking to really master the Planetologist, make sure to check out our full guides:
