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We’ve played the first 30 hours ofDune: Awakeningover and over and over again. Two classes really stand out as the best options if you want to have a strong start in the game: theMentatand theBene Gesserit. Because of the way that the class sytem works in Dune: Awakening, you’ll eventually be able to access many abilities and passives of the other classes.
We’ll cover why both the Mentat and the Bene Gesserit can be considered the best starting class in the game, eventually siding with one over the other.
The Mentat
The Mentat is an excellent class forsolo play, mostly thanks toThe Sentinel, a deployable turret you’re able to unlock almost immediately. It covers a wide area and automatically targets enemy NPCs. It’s basically like playing with a teammate at all times.
This makes clearing the first key challenges of Dune: Awakening - theearly game dungeons- a walk in the park. You can blitz through the Testing Stations to gain access to your first sandbike very quickly with the Mentat.
The Mentat does lack some mobility, especially compared to the Bene Gesserit (more on that in a second), but you may pick up theShigawire Clawfrom the Trooper trainer in the first outpost. This gives you access to the grappling hook, which alleviates some of the sluggishness of the class.
Mentat Abilities
you’re able to read more about the Mentat’s abilities, techniques, and a starter build guide here.
Mid to Late Game Mentat
As you progress, the Mentat turns into a long-range assassin in PvP, with some support utility for your allies. If you want to play a long-range character, probably with a sniper, then the Mentat is a great choice.
The Bene Gesserit
The Bene Gesserit has one of the best starting utility abilities in the game, theBindu Sprint.This allows you to quickly move across the Hagga Basin, and considering you start without a vehicle, this early movement boost can help you cover a lot of the early content much more quickly than the other classes.
It also allows you to potentially traverse greater distances between rock formationswithoutgetting eaten by a giant worm. So that’s nice.
The biggest downside to the Bene Gesserit - and one of the reasons why we probably prefer the Mentat - is that there’s a bit of a focus onmelee play. The melee combat in Dune: Awakening is not great, especially not early on.
While the Bene Gesserit isgreat at tackling elite enemies, especially those that require you to get up close and personal to break their shields, you might find yourself struggling a bit with clearing out larger groups of enemies.
Mid To Late Game Bene Gesserit
As you progress deeper into the game, unlocking more of your character’s abilities, techniques, and passives, the Bene Gesserit becomes a powerful utility tool for your allies. You can CC enemy players and endgame NPCs alike.
Swordmaster And Trooper
We don’t recommend picking Trooper as your starting class as you gain access to theTrooper Trainerat the first outpost, giving you access to Trooper abilities within the first couple of hours of the game.
The Swordmaster has a bit more nuance, however, and if you really enjoy melee play, there’s no reason not to pick up the Swordmaster as your starting class.
