Dune Awakening: How to recover from sandworm death as a solo player

Sandworm death is easily the cruelest, worst thing about Dune Awakening. As someone who has died at least twice to the wrath of Shai-Hulud, I know how frustrating it can be. I’m also primarily a solo player — I have yet to join a guild, and none of my personal friends are in the game quite yet. While the first death, the game will grant you a sandbike (the first unlockable vehicle), you won’t get a second for free.

It can feel soul-crushing to have to start over a second, third, or even fourth time, but if you prepare in advance, it’s going to get a little bit easier. This comes from my experience dying a few times in Hagga Basin South, as well as a colleague’s. Here’s what to do before and after a sandworm death as a solo player in Dune Awakening, so you can recover.

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Tips for before and after a sandworm death as a solo player in Dune Awakening

When you die to a sandworm in Dune Awakening, you lose everything you’re carrying on you, so recovery can feel impossible. Even if you’ve already abandoned your base, hope isn’t lost; as long as nobody has picked through the remains and stolen all of your stuff, or claimed your base in your stead, there’s hope.

Of course, my base was as far away from civilization as possible, but step one was getting back there (Image via Funcom)

I made the mistake of driving back to Hagga Basin South after going to Vermillius Gap, because I had the tools to make the upgrade Cutteray back home. I got to the base safe and sound, but died on the return trip. Then I died again immediately, trying to get back to Vermillius Gap.

I had already abandoned my base, because I had started construction on a new one already. However, it’s not the end of the world, though it will definitely feel like it at first. The first step is to craft yourself some cheap armor out of plant fiber, and find the nearest dew flowers to stay hydrated. This is the first, and most important step to recovery after sandworm death in Dune Awakening.

If you’ve already abandoned your base, get back there as fast as possible, while also avoiding open sand, and reclaim it, by putting a Sub-Fief Console in place. This will return ownership to you, and turn the power back on.

Pack light, but make the essentials: clothes, boots, motorcycle, gun, and cutteray (Image via Funcom)

If this is in Hagga Basin South, you’ll want to return home, and craft the best armor that you can. You’ll also want to make a few Blood Sacks so you can drain enemies, and refill your water before you go.

You’re also going to need a new sandbike, so take the time to farm nearby, and build up a decent weapon and some armor, and clear Imperial Testing Station No. 2 and the Wreck of the Alcyon for materials and Uniques. You may want to head back to the Trading Post to purchase their Literjon Unique also. This gives you extra water storage while traveling; you’re going to need it as you head off onto your next journey after a sandworm death in Dune Awakening.

Farm up extra resources and leave them in containers in your old base; just in case (Image via Funcom)

Farm up the Copper Ore you need while on the way to these areas, as well as any other materials you didn’t leave behind in your base. This way you can come back home, throw the Copper Ore in the Refinery, and start rebuilding your sandbike. I recommend the Scavenger Stillsuit, and the Karpov 38 Gun.

If you have the unique dagger, you’re good to go, otherwise make a Kindjal dagger. Get your sandbike together, and make sure it’s ready to go, but don’t just jump on and ride off into the sunset yet.

Hopefully your return to Vermillius Gap (or wherever) will be this smooth (Image via Funcom)

I cannot recommend enough that you should make a second weapon/armor set, and at least have enough materials to make another bike. That means one more trip into the shipwreck/testing station, to farm materials (unless you already have plenty). If this took place before you had a vehicle, then disregard those instructions, and dust yourself off.

Death via sandworm in Dune Awakening feels awful; I’m sick of losing tens of thousands of Solari, powerful gear and Uniques to a bit of greed. The most important advice I can give is to not stress out over it. Take some time, get back to your base, and pick up exactly where you left off. It’s going to feel awful, but if you’ve prepared in advance, like I’ve begun to, Sandworm death is nothing to fear.

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Check out our other Dune Awakening guides and features

• Dune Awakening: What’s the max level?
• Dune Awakening: All class trainer locations
• Dune Awakening: Can you relocate your base?