Dune Awakening Vehicles List: How to Get All of Them on Arrakis

If you’ve been grinding your way through Dune: Awakening, you already know this — walking across Arrakis is a death sentence. Between the sprawling map and the ever-present threat of sandworms, a solid ride isn't a luxury. It's survival. Whether you're skimming across dunes solo on a Sandbike or flying deep recon in a Scout Ornithopter, vehicles are essential.

This Dune Awakening Vehicles Guide breaks down every vehicle you can operate in the game, how to get them, and what they’re best suited for. We’re talking stats, strategy, and a little real-world advice from someone who’s been out in the Deep Desert longer than I’d like to admit.

Pro tip: If you’re short on materials and need to build fast, I recommend checking out PVPBank for some cheap Dune Awakening Solari. It can seriously speed up crafting time, especially when you’re aiming for high-end builds.

Why Vehicles Matter in Dune Awakening

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why vehicles are so damn important. Early on, sure, you’ll be hoofing it on foot — gathering water, dodging patrols, and hoping you don’t run into a worm. But once the map opens up, speed and protection become essential.

Vehicles don’t just make you move faster; they change how you approach combat, harvesting, PvP, and even exploration. From air recon to mining hauls to squad transport, your ride defines your role in the desert.

How to Get Vehicles in Dune Awakening

In Dune: Awakening, you don’t just find vehicles lying around ready to go. They’re either built piece-by-piece, scavenged, or (if you're lucky) discovered in a mostly working state. Here's a breakdown:

1. Crafting From Schematics

The most common route. Unlock vehicle schematics through the Research tab using Intel Points, which you earn by leveling up or raiding medium-to-large NPC camps. Then gather the required materials and assemble the vehicle at your base.

2. Scavenging and Salvaging

Some vehicle parts can be found in the wild — abandoned wrecks, destroyed convoys, or even enemy bases. If you find a partially functional vehicle, you can either repair it or strip it down for rare components.

3. Trading or Buying From Vendors

Not everything has to be crafted or found. You can straight-up buy certain parts or even full vehicle frames from in-game vendors or other players. This is where the game’s economy starts to matter.

Sandbike – Your First and Fastest Friend

Type: Ground (Solo)
Best For: Fast traversal, early mobility
Limitations: Low durability, minimal storage

The Sandbike is your starter vehicle, and it’s exactly what it sounds like — a quick, single-person bike built for speed. These things are agile, great for slipping through narrow canyons or escaping worms, and surprisingly durable in terms of terrain damage.

That said, they’re fragile during storms and practically useless in the Deep Desert. Don’t leave it parked in a storm zone. Seriously.

Upgrades You’ll Want:

• Storage Pack: Gives you room for water or materials.

• Booster Module: Extra speed when you need to bail.

• Resource Scanner: Useful for solo gathering trips.

Crafting Tip: Basic Sandbikes are built with Copper. Higher-tier versions need stronger metals, usually found in western Hagga Basin.

Buggy – The 4x4 Workhorse

Type: Ground (2-4 Players)
Best For: Team travel, mining, and light combat
Limitations: Slower, larger profile

Buggies are the Swiss Army knife of ground vehicles in Dune: Awakening. They carry more people, more gear, and more firepower. If you’re mining or running spice ops, this is your go-to.

You can slap a Mining Laser on it for serious ore harvesting or mount Missile Launchers for combat. Keep in mind that these weapons need to be manned by players — no autopilot death machines here.

Storage-wise, Buggies are beasts. You can store thousands of units of ore in one, turning resource trips into efficient goldmines (or solari mines, technically).

Ornithopters – Rule the Sky

Let’s be honest — if you’re not flying over the chaos at some point, you’re playing the game on hard mode. Ornithopters come in three distinct types:

1. Scout Ornithopter

Type: Air (Solo)
Best For: Recon, fast travel
Limitations: No weapons, paper-thin armor

Great for solo players or exploration-focused builds. You won’t win a fight in this thing, but you’ll dodge one. These are nimble and ideal for zipping across the map or getting eyes on enemy bases.

2. Assault Ornithopter

Type: Air (Combat)
Best For: PvP dogfights, tactical drops
Limitations: Small cargo space

This is your aerial bruiser. You’re not ferrying gear — you’re bringing the fight. Fully upgradable with weapon modules, extra armor, and maneuvering tech, the Assault Ornithopter dominates the skies.

3. Carrier Ornithopter

Type: Air (Heavy Transport)
Best For: Squad deployment, hauling resources
Limitations: Slow, needs escort

If the Scout is your eyes and the Assault is your fist, the Carrier is your backbone. It’s a flying base of operations. Heavy armor, massive cargo capacity, and space for your full crew — this is what you bring when the mission matters.

Materials Needed:
Most Ornithopters need Aluminum Ingots and advanced materials from northern and western Hagga Basin.

Sandcrawlers – The Endgame Beast

Type: Ground (Massive Utility Vehicle)
Best For: Large-scale spice harvesting, group operations
Limitations: High cost, vulnerable without support

If you’ve seen the films or read the books, you know Sandcrawlers. They’re huge. In-game, they function like mobile mining rigs with insane resource capacity. Building one is no joke — you’ll need rare Deep Desert materials and probably a group to even survive the assembly.

But once it’s up and running? You’re printing solari. They’re also decent mobile bases when running long-haul ops far from your core settlement.

Which Vehicle Should You Get First?

Solo Players: Start with a Sandbike, then save up for a Scout Ornithopter. It’ll keep you alive longer than you think.
Small Teams: Buggies are clutch. Their storage and firepower scale well with group play.
Combat-Focused Crews: Assault Ornithopters are your bread and butter. Pair with Scouts for recon and Carriers for reinforcements.
Endgame Guilds: Go for Sandcrawlers and Carrier Ornithopters to dominate logistics and economy.

Final Thoughts: The Desert Doesn’t Forgive

Arrakis isn’t kind to those who travel light. The deeper you go into Dune: Awakening, the more your survival depends on the gear under your feet and the vehicle you trust to get you out. Every vehicle in the game plays a different role, and smart players will know how to pivot between them as their objectives shift.

Craft smart. Upgrade often. And whatever you do, don’t stop moving.