So you’re out in the blazing dunes of Dune: Awakening, chasing that glimmer of treasure hidden under the sand. Whether you’re doing it for the loot, the challenge, or just to say you’ve survived a worm attack, buried treasure is one of the more thrilling (and dangerous) things you can do in the game. But let’s be honest, Dune doesn’t exactly hand you a neat little tutorial. It tosses you into the sand with a scanner, a compactor, and a vague sense of purpose. So if you’re stuck on the “Buried Treasure” quest, or you’re just not sure how to actually dig anything up without getting swallowed alive, this guide’s for you.
How To Find Buried Treasure
Buried treasure caches are hidden containers found beneath the surface of Arrakis’ open sands. They can hold Solaris, crafting materials, or gear, but not every dig will be a big win. Sometimes, it’s just a couple chunks of ore and a disappointed sigh.
You’ll first get introduced to treasure hunting during the ‘Buried Treasure’ side quest after completing the Second Trial of Aql, and from there, you can technically start hunting down loot all across the desert, as long as you have the right tools, a good eye, and a solid escape plan.
Step One: Get Your Gear
To find buried treasure, you’ll need:
- Handheld Resource Scanner
- Static Compactor
You’ll unlock both through quest progression, but if you need to craft them again, look for Fremen materials inside moisture-sealed caves. Both recipes require EMF Generators, which drop often from Freeman enemies, so don’t stress too much about farming them.
How Scanning for Treasure Actually Works
Once you’re geared up, head into the open desert. Equip the Handheld Scanner (or use a vehicle scanner, we’ll get into that later) and point it toward the sand. You’ll want to watch for a small, sand-colored diamond icon. If something’s buried there, it’ll show up after a few sweeps.
Don’t get discouraged if your first dozen scans turn up nothing, it’s kind of like a metal detector at the beach. Keep hovering or walking around until a signal pops.
Once the icon appears:
- Get closer until it becomes a larger marker.
- Land nearby or stand right over it.
- Toss your Static Compactor on the spot.
- Wait a few seconds while it kicks up the sand.
- Loot whatever comes up.
What’s in the Box? (And Is It Worth It?)
Buried treasure is a gamble. One cache might give you valuable gear or a chunk of Solaris. Another? Just some crafting scraps you could’ve found in a cave.
That said, it adds up over time. If you’re already traveling or exploring, scanning as you go is an easy way to stack up some bonus loot without going too far off course.
Where to Scan: Best Locations & What to Avoid
Technically, you can find treasure anywhere there’s open sand, but certain areas are definitely better:
- Best bet: Wide open dunes between major regions. They have the most surface area and least obstructions.
- Avoid: Quicksand and drum sand. They’re dangerous, hard to scan, and generally not worth the effort.
- Look for: Flour sand zones. They’re calmer and offer more stable ground for scanning.
- Bonus Tip: Watch for white wisps of sand rising up. Those tend to mark undisturbed spots that are perfect for treasure hunting.
From my experience, far east Vermilious Gap gave the best results, but it’s also one of the riskiest areas. There’s barely any land nearby, and sandworms pop up like they own the place. (Which, honestly, they kinda do.)
Sandworms: The Real Boss Fight
Let’s be clear, sandworms don’t mess around. Even just walking around scanning kicks up enough noise to risk an encounter. But the Static Compactor? That thing’s basically yelling “DINNER TIME!” every time it thumps.
If you’re going treasure hunting:
- Always be near land or rocks.
- Have a thumper on hand if possible, it’ll distract the worm long enough for you to escape.
- Don’t go alone if you can avoid it.
- If a worm appears mid-dig, drop what you’re doing and run.
If you’re not ready for that kind of chaos, it’s totally fine to wait until you unlock better gear, or backup.
Sandbike vs Ornithopter Scanning (Which is Better?)
You’ve got two vehicle-based options for scanning treasure, and both have their pros:
Sandbike Scanner
- Unlocked via the Research Menu
- Requires Iron Ingots and Advanced Servoks to craft
- Lets you scan while riding, great for quick getaways
- Perfect for solo players on the move
Ornithopter + Handheld Scanner
- Requires a buddy to fly while you scan
- Covers more ground, faster
- Best combo for co-op exploration
- Still works with the same treasure-detection system
Both are solid, but if you’ve got a friend, Ornithopter + Scanner is king for fast coverage. If you’re solo? Go for the Sandbike setup and just be careful.
Bug Alert: When the Ping Doesn’t Work
Okay, let’s talk about the annoying part, the bugs.
Sometimes the scanner gives you a ping, you land, throw your compactor, and… nothing happens. No loot, no dig, no feedback. I’ve even had random pop-ups with no icons at all.
From what I can tell, this is just a bug. If it’s happening to you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Restarting the game or switching regions sometimes helps.
Wrap-Up: Worth the Risk? Absolutely, If You’re Prepared
Hunting for buried treasure in Dune: Awakening is one of those activities that feels frustrating at first, but super rewarding once you get the rhythm down. It’s not just about the loot, it’s about the thrill of the hunt, the close calls with sandworms, and that satisfying thunk of digging up something hidden in the sand.
Just make sure you’re prepared: get your tools, pick a good location, and always keep one eye on the worm meter. And if all else fails, bring a buddy, bring a ‘thopter, and make it a team effort.
Up next, if your sandbike got absolutely wrecked by a surprise worm ambush (been there, screamed that), don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Check out my guide on how to repair your sandbike and other vehicles in Dune Awakening, so you can get back to treasure hunting without hoofing it across the desert.
