At the beginning of Dune: Awakening, one of your most important choices is selecting a starting class—called a “School of the Imperium” in the game. This determines your initial ability, your early-game playstyle, and the first skill tree you’ll unlock.
But don’t worry: you’re never locked into one school. You can unlock others later, allowing for hybrid builds. Still, your starting choice affects your first hours on Arrakis—and possibly your success in the Deep Desert.
If you are not sure what Edition to buy, check out our Editions comparison. And if you are looking for more information about the game, you must read our guide Everything You Need to Know About Dune: Awakening
Dune Awakening Laser Gun
All Starting Classes in Dune: Awakening
There are five main archetypes (or schools) in the game:
- Swordmaster – Agile melee combat and deflection
- Mentat – Tactical scanning and recon
- Bene Gesserit – Stealth, mind control, and debuffs
- Trooper – Explosives, grappling hooks, and close-range combat
- Planetologist – Survival, sandworm control, and harvesting (unlocked later)
Dune Awakening Melee Fight
Swordmaster – Best for Solo Melee Combat
Starting Ability: Deflection (enter a stance to reflect ranged attacks)
Swordmasters are quick, mobile, and great in close quarters. They excel at parrying and punishing ranged enemies. If you like up-close duels or solo PvE combat, this is your best bet.
- ✅ Strong early-game survivability
- ✅ Evasive, agile melee style
- ❌ Needs precision in timing and spacing
Mentat – Best for Tactical Players & Support
Starting Ability: Battlefield Calculation (scan nearby enemies and structures)
Mentats are brains on the battlefield. They provide recon, buffs, and useful information that benefits both solo explorers and group PvP. A good pick for planners or guild scouts.
- ✅ Great for information gathering
- ✅ Can combo well with other skill trees later
- ❌ Less damage and survivability at the start
Dune Awakening Ship
Bene Gesserit – Best for Stealth & Crowd Control
Starting Ability: Voice: Compel (forces enemy to move toward you)
Manipulators at heart, Bene Gesserit are ideal for players who enjoy finesse, control, and debuffs. They’re powerful in PvP and can escape dangerous situations using unique movement and stealth tools.
- ✅ Stealthy movement and utility
- ✅ Excellent in 1v1 and ambush setups
- ❌ Squishy early on and not beginner-friendly
Trooper – Best for Aggression & PvE Farming
Starting Ability: Shigwire Cable (grapple to terrain or enemies)
The Trooper is your classic soldier: grenades, shotguns, and utility skills that hit hard. Perfect for players who want to push objectives fast, farm gear, or engage in direct combat with minimal setup.
- ✅ Explosive playstyle with fast clearing
- ✅ Great synergy with vehicles and demolition
- ❌ Lower mobility unless geared
Dune Awakening Range Combat
Planetologist – Advanced Survivalist (Unlocked Later)
Note: Planetologist is not available during character creation, but can be learned later via NPCs.
They excel at manipulating the environment and using sandworm mechanics to their advantage. Ideal for harvesting, exploration, and Deep Desert control.
- ✅ Unique late-game tools
- ✅ Useful for guild resource roles
- ❌ Requires time investment and travel
Conclusion – Which Class Is Right for You?
- Solo Fighters: Pick Swordmaster for mobility and defense
- Strategists / Guild Scouts: Mentat fits you best
- PvP / Control Players: Bene Gesserit shines in chaos
- Farmers / Direct Combat: Go Trooper and blow things up
- Long-term Guild Support: Train Planetologist down the line
Remember, your starting class is just the beginning. You can evolve your build by unlocking other schools as you explore Arrakis. Choose what excites you most—and good luck surviving the desert!
