Ah, taxes. The one mechanic no one asked for, but it’s here, and if you want to keep your base from crumbling into dust, you’ve got to pay up. Yep, Dune: Awakening throws this delightful little system at you once you start settling in with a base. Just when you thought your biggest enemy was the sandworm… turns out it’s bureaucracy. Let’s break it all down. I’ll show you where to go, who to talk to, how much you’ll need, and most importantly, why skipping out might leave your base wide open to the unforgiving wrath of Arrakis. Spoiler: it’s not just a game mechanic, it’s the law.
How & Where To Pay Your Tax
If you’ve built a base, you’ve likely seen the little console that says “Taxes due”, and like most people, you probably ignored it the first five times. Well, surprise: that’s not just flavor text. If you don’t pay those dues, your base shielding will eventually drop, leaving your carefully-built empire at the mercy of the harsh environment. No shields = no base. No base = no fun.
You’ll need to cough up Solaris regularly, especially if you’ve got multiple sub-fiefs. Oh, and don’t expect a letter in the mail reminding you. It’s up to you to check in and pay on time.
Yeah, I know. I didn’t make the rules either.
Step 1: Get to a Trading Post
First thing’s first, you can’t just Venmo the Emperor. You need to physically go and pay. That starts with heading to a Trading Post.
You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see:
- Big metal sand doors that slam shut during storms
- Little vendor stalls and mission boards nearby
- A pyramid-shaped icon on the map
Some popular ones include:
- The Anvil
- The Pinnacle
- Stonepine
Once there, look for the Ornithopter Pilot, she’ll have a little wing icon floating above her head. She’s your ticket to the capital.
It costs 2,500 Solaris for a one-way trip. The return ride? Totally free. So don’t worry about saving up for the journey back.
Depending on your faction, she’ll fly you to:
- Arrakeen if you’re House Atreides
- Harko Village if you’re House Harkonnen
Step 2: Pay the Tax Man
When you land at your faction’s hub, you’ll start near the entrance. From here, it’s pretty straightforward:
- Walk through the main gates
- Head into the massive building, you really can’t miss it
- Go all the way down the long hallway
- Look for the Imperial Tax Representative
He (or she, depending on your faction) is always waiting patiently behind a desk, smiling like they just took your entire spice stash.
Talk to them and select:
“I’d like to pay my taxes.”
You’ll see your current balance, due dates, and the option to pay in full or just for a single sub-fief. Confirm, hand over your Solaris, and congrats, you’re officially a law-abiding desert citizen.
Why Paying Taxes Actually Matters
Skipping taxes in Dune: Awakening isn’t just a flavor penalty. If you don’t pay, the Sardukar doesn’t just turn up at your door, and simply steal your telly. If you ignore your dues:
- Your base loses its shield
- Environmental damage will start piling up
- Eventually, your base can be destroyed
No, you don’t get a flashy cutscene. But you will return to a broken-down husk of a home and wonder where it all went wrong. Probably somewhere between your second raid and forgetting to check the console.
Tip: Taxes stack up FAST if you’ve got multiple bases. Check your sub-fief console (yeah, that thing you haven’t touched since you placed it) to see what you owe and when it’s due.
Bonus Tip: Get Your Own Ornithopter
Paying 2,500 Solaris every tax cycle adds up quick. If you want to cut out the middlewoman and fly yourself to Arrakeen or Harko Village, you can craft your own Ornithopter later in the game. That way, you keep your money, skip the queues, and arrive in style.
But let’s be real, if you’re still paying taxes manually, you’re probably not quite at the “pilot my own aircraft” stage yet. One thing at a time.
Wrap-Up
Look, I get it, taxes in real life are bad enough. But Dune: Awakening makes sure you can’t escape them, even in the farthest reaches of the desert. Still, paying them is simple, and once you get the hang of fast travel and know where the Tax Rep lives, it becomes part of your regular base upkeep loop. Pay your dues, keep your base standing, and you’ll be free to go back to what really matters: sand, spice, and surviving sandworms.
Still hitching rides and dreaming of flying your own Ornithopter? If you haven’t built one yet, you’ll definitely want to check out my guide on farming Industrial Pumps, they’re one of the key components for crafting those sweet wings. Trust me, getting your own copter is a total game-changer, and this’ll save you a ton of Solaris in the long run.
