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Survival and Environmental Systems
Sand Worm
Surviving on Arrakis is a constant struggle against dehydration, heat, storms, and sandworms. Every movement, shelter choice, and piece of gear affects how long you can stay alive in the open. Whether you’re crossing the desert at night or building near storm paths, understanding survival systems is the foundation for all other gameplay.
Hydration and Heatstroke
- Hydration drains continuously and much faster in direct sunlight or while sprinting, fighting, or using energy-consuming tools.
- Heatstroke occurs when hydration is low while exposed to the sun. It reduces stamina capacity and limits dash use, increasing vulnerability in combat.
- Traveling at night is safer and slows dehydration, making it a key tactic for long-range exploration.
Stillsuits and Water Generation
- Stillsuits are your first defense against dehydration. They generate water through catchpockets and controlled breathing. Activation is manual (press X).
- Dew Flowers can be harvested for water at specific POIs marked by droplet icons on the map.
- Blood Purifiers convert filled Blood Sacks into drinkable water. Blood is extracted from fallen NPCs and wildlife using a Blood Extractor.
- Windtraps generate water passively over time and can be placed at bases after unlocking them via research.
Sandworm Threat and Shield Usage
- Sandworms are drawn to any active Holtzman Shield used on open sand. Using a shield while traveling triggers a high risk of immediate death.
- The only way to cross worm zones safely is on foot without a shield or by using vehicles away from shield activation zones.
Storms and Dynamic Weather
- Sandstorms destroy unprotected vehicles and damage bases without powered protective shields.
- Coriolis Storms reset the Deep Desert map layout every Tuesday, changing zone structures, point-of-interest locations, and Sinkchart data.
- Dynamic weather affects visibility, hydration loss, and travel efficiency. Players must adapt their routes and loadouts depending on the current conditions.
Vehicle Exposure and Terrain Hazards
- Vehicles left outside during storms will decay and eventually be destroyed unless parked in a Garage or packed using a Vehicle Pickup Tool.
- Floating belts or Suspensor tools prevent fall damage and can help navigate cliffs, but consume energy or power over time.
- Using the terrain smartly—hugging cliffs, finding shelters, or stopping near water sources—is essential for surviving long-range journeys.
