If you’ve been blasting your way through the dunes in Dune: Awakening and thinking, “Man, I wish I had a bit more firepower and some military-grade tech to back me up”, then the Trooper profession might be exactly what you’re looking for. We’re talking demolition gear, high-powered weapons, and gadgets that make you feel like a one-person army. It’s chaotic, it’s fun, and it’s perfect for players who like to take charge. The best part? Even if you didn’t choose Trooper during character creation (I didn’t either), you can still unlock it later on, no need to start over. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly where to find the Trooper trainer, how to start the Proving Grounds quest, and what you’ll be up against when it’s time to prove your worth.
Trooper Trainer Location & Quest Guide
Troopers are the backbone of the Landsraad’s military might. Think of them as elite soldiers trained for offense, demolition, and tactical dominance. If you’re all about heavy firepower, crowd control gadgets, and diving headfirst into battle, Trooper is your go-to. Starting Troopers gain access to the Shigawire Cable, a slick mobility tool that lets you zip across terrain and latch onto enemies for a surprise attack.
Even if you didn’t choose Trooper at the beginning, the game gives you the freedom to unlock every profession through gameplay, no rerolling needed. So, let’s get into how you can earn your Trooper stripes and what to expect from the quest ahead.
Where to Find the Trooper Trainer (Ghavouri)
To get started, head to Griffin’s Reach Trade Post, located in Hagga Basin South. You’ll come here early in the game for a quest involving a Literjon purchase, so it’s hard to miss. Once there, look for Ghavouri, the Trooper trainer.
When speaking with Ghavouri, scroll through the dialogue options and select: “I want to learn from you.” This kicks off your initiation quest called Proving Grounds, which involves tracking down and eliminating three of Ghavouri’s old enemies. It’s your chance to prove you’re Trooper material.
Proving Grounds Quest Guide
Tip: You can walk to each location, but it’s a slog, bring a sandbike if you’ve got one!
- Location #1: Griffin’s Reach Trade Post (Ghavouri – Trooper Trainer)
- Location #2: Kaleff’s Stand (Target 1)
- Location #3: Shamal Tunnel (Target 2)
- Location #4: Edgeway Cavern (Target 3)
Target #1 – Aatu Golven at Kaleff’s Stand
Location: Eastern Haga Basin South
Start by heading to Kaleff’s Stand. You’ll find a cave entrance near the quest marker, that’s where Aatu Golven, your first target, is hiding. Take him down, but be cautious: the cave is booby-trapped with pressure plates and tripwires, so tread lightly.
Once he’s defeated, your quest will update with the next location.
Target #2 – Kirsi Tol at Shamal Tunnel
Location: Northeast of Kaleff’s Stand
Next, make your way to Shamal Tunnel. You’ll find Kirsi Tol inside a cave on the west side of a smaller rock formation. Eliminate them to move one step closer to becoming a Trooper.
Same warning applies here: watch out for traps!
Target #3 – Cardanus Ulun at Edgeway Cavern
Location: South of Shamal Tunnel
The final target is Cardanus Ulun, found at Edgeway Cavern. This cave is tucked into a larger rock formation. Ulun is usually perched on an elevated ledge, and he’s got backup, two additional scavengers to be precise.
Clear them all out and your contract will be complete.
Unlocking the Trooper Skill Tree
Once the Proving Grounds quest is done, return to Ghavouri at Griffin’s Reach Trade Post. Let him know you’ve taken care of his enemies, and he’ll unlock the Trooper skill tree for you.
NOTE: This only unlocks the basic Trooper knowledge. To access advanced skills, you’ll need to find an Advanced Trooper Trainer, who is located outside the starter zone. We’ll cover that in a future guide!
With the Trooper tree unlocked, you’ll gain access to a powerful set of skills including:
- Shigawire Claw: Zip to enemies or terrain.
- Assault Seeker: Remote-detonated projectile for precision damage.
- Collapse Grenade: Pull enemies together into a perfect AoE kill zone.
- Battle Hardened: Reduces cooldowns and makes you more combat-ready.
- Heavy Weapon Damage: Buffs your Lasgun, Flamethrower, and other big toys.
Wrap-Up
And there you have it, everything you need to know to unlock the Trooper profession in Dune: Awakening. From tracking down Ghavouri to clearing out his old enemies in those trap-riddled caves, the Proving Grounds quest is a solid intro to what being a Trooper is all about: taking charge, dishing out damage, and surviving the chaos of the battlefield.
If you’re looking to add military-grade muscle to your toolkit, this is one profession you don’t want to skip. Just remember, this is only the beginning. There are Advanced Trooper trainers waiting out there beyond the starting zones, and they’ve got even deadlier tricks to teach you. We’ll be covering those in a future guide, so stay tuned. Need more help? Check out my guide on all 4 Trial of Aql locations to keep leveling up and pushing deeper into Arrakis. The spice must flow, and so should your power.
