Planetologist is a hidden class in Dune: Awakening that must be unlocked through a challenging nine-part questline. Unlike other roles, you can’t choose it at character creation. Instead, you must track Derek Chinara across Arrakis, explore abandoned Testing Stations, retrieve lost data, and complete combat trials. This Dune: Awakening Planetologist guide covers every trainer location, hidden Testing Station, and buried archive needed to complete the Planetologist questline and unlock the class step by step.
1. Complete Planetologist Quest Checklist
This is the full Dune: Awakening Planetologist walkthrough, covering all nine quests in the class unlock chain. If you’re stuck, especially at level 3 or at any bugged quest step, use the instructions below to progress.
- Recover Minimic Film – Imperial Testing Station No. 2 (Hagga Basin)
- Retrieve Lost Archives – Testing Station 197 (Vermilius Gap)
- Speak to Cyprian Io – Arrakeen
- Free Derek + film – Testing Station 76 (Jabal Eifrit)
- Recover Ancient Tablet – Sietch Tarl
- Access hidden lab – Testing Station 29 (Hagga Rift)
- Find Kyne’s Notes + Film – Testing Station 71 (The O’odham)
- Defend Derek from sniper squads – Imperial Testing Station No. 2
- Activate Kyne’s hologram – Testing Station 163 (The O’odham)
2. Quest 1: “Minimic Film Recovery”
The first quest starts in Hagga Basin South. Find Derek Chinara at a cliffside camp above Imperial Testing Station No. 2. He asks you to retrieve a lost Minimic Film from inside the station. This marks the beginning of your Planetologist journey and unlocks Tier 1 skills.
- Speak to Derek: His camp is above Imperial Testing Station 2 near Griffin’s Reach. If he’s not visible, walk around the rock ledge to trigger the interaction.
- Enter Imperial Testing Station No. 2: Pick up the orange ID band at the entrance to unlock internal doors.
- Descend the Spiral Path: Follow the stairs to the lower levels where the lab archives are located.
- Find the Hidden Room: Look for a glowing yellow-lit bookshelf—interacting with it reveals a secret archive room.
- Retrieve the Film: Loot the briefcase container on the desk inside the hidden room.
- Fight the Shielded Enemy: A Holtzman-shielded melee brute blocks the exit. Use slow melee attacks or poison to break through.
- Return to Derek: Climb back up to the cliffside and turn in the film to complete the quest.
- Location: Imperial Testing Station No. 2, Hagga Basin South
- Unlocks: Tier 1 Planetologist Skills
- Tip: The purple ID band and schematic chest can be looted in a nearby locked chamber before leaving
Training Station No. 2.
3. Quest 2: “Buried Archives”
The second mission is known as the Buried Archives step in the Planetologist questline. It takes place inside Testing Station 197, where another Minimic Film must be recovered to progress toward level 3 Planetologist unlocks.
- Find Derek at Testing Station 197: He stands near the entrance pipe at the bottom of a large crater. The station is west of the Vermilius Gap central node.
- Enter the Facility: Walk past the red-lighted statue room and continue until you reach a multi-wing research hall.
- Explore the Right Side Wing: Ignore the green ID door. Look for a small office desk tucked into an alcove on the right side. The Minimic Film is sitting on top of it.
- Watch for Traps: Scattered electrical arcs and turret hazards may appear depending on the instance phase.
- Return to Derek: Exit the crater and speak to Derek again. He may move back to Imperial Testing Station No. 2 or remain at Testing Station 197 depending on server state.
- Location: Imperial Testing Station No. 197, West Vermilius Gap
- Unlocks: Tier 2 Planetologist Skills
- Tip: Use a Jump Pack to escape the crater faster or avoid backtracking enemies
Training Station No.197.
4. Quest 3: “Adhering to Hierarchy”
This quest introduces faction politics and advances the story, but does not unlock any skills. After delivering the second film, Derek will send you to request access from Cyprian Io in Arrakeen. Regardless of your choices, the request will be denied and you must return to Derek.
- Talk to Derek at Imperial Testing Station No. 2: After completing the Testing Station 197 mission, Derek appears at his original cliffside camp above Imperial Testing Station No. 2. He’ll instruct you to meet with Cyprian.
- Travel to Arrakeen: Use an Ornithopter Pilot at any Trade Post. The fee is 2,500 Solaris.
- Find Cyprian Io: Inside the Salusan Bull bar, head to the second floor. Cyprian sits on a throne-like bench with guards nearby.
- Dialogue Choice: You can attempt to persuade or deceive him. Both result in rejection, but deceiving him may lock out future Derek dialogue.
- Return to Derek: Fly back to Hagga Basin South and speak with Derek again. He becomes more distrustful of the political structure and prepares you for the next objective.
- Locations: Imperial Testing Station No. 2 → Arrakeen → Imperial Testing Station No. 2
- Unlocks: Required for Quest 4 (No skill tier unlock)
- Tip: Pick up trade packs or supplies in Arrakeen to avoid wasting the travel fee
Cyprian Io’s Location.
5. Quest 4: “Science Unlocked”
This mission unlocks Tier 3 Planetologist skills and introduces the first rescue mechanic. Derek has been captured and imprisoned at Imperial Testing Station No. 76 in Jabal Eifrit al-Janub. You must find a keycard, release him, and locate another hidden Minimic Film.
Note: If you’re unable to unlock Tier 3 Planetologist skills after turning in the film, talk to Derek Chinara again and look for the line “You owe me some training.” It might not have an icon, but selecting it should unlock the skills. If he’s stuck saying only “goodbye,” try checking back at Testing Station 76 or Station 29. Many players hit this issue — it’s one of the more common planetologist level 3 bugged moments in the questline.
- Travel to Testing Station 76: Reach Jabal Eifrit al-Janub and locate the entrance to Testing Station 76 in a ravine near the western pass. Enter the station carefully—some routes are guarded.
- Find Derek’s Cage: On the lower floor, look for a metal holding cell tucked into a side room. Derek is locked inside.
- Retrieve the Keycard: Exit the cell room and continue through the hallway. The keycard sits on a table beside a flickering yellow light and a scattered pile of documents.
- Free Derek: Return to the cage and open the door. Derek remains inside while you continue the mission.
- Access the Hidden Lab: Past the main chambers, find another yellow-glowing bookshelf. This reveals the secret Minimic Film container room.
- Recover the Film: Loot the crate and scan the nearby walls for optional Servox components or rare salvage.
- Return to Imperial Testing Station No. 2 Camp: Leave Testing Station 76 and speak with Derek again at his Imperial Testing Station No. 2 camp to unlock the Tier 3 skills.
- Location: Imperial Testing Station No. 76, Jabal Eifrit al-Janub
- Unlocks: Tier 3 Planetologist Skills
- Tip: Use slow melee or AoE poison to disable shielded guards inside Testing Station 76
Training Station No. 76.
6. Quest 5: “The Search for Kynes”
This story quest is required to unlock the capstone chain. After delivering the third film, Derek sends you to recover a lost artifact tied to Planetology history. You’ll need to meet with Thufir Hawat in Arrakeen and travel to Sietch Tarl in the Western Shield Wall to retrieve the tablet.
- Speak to Derek: He is still located at the Imperial Testing Station No. 2 cliffside camp. He’ll ask you to consult Thufir about old records of Kyne’s teachings.
- Fly to Arrakeen: Take an Ornithopter from Griffin’s Reach or another Trade Post.
- Meet Thufir Hawat: Found at a strategy desk on the upper balcony of Arrakeen. He marks the location of Sietch Tarl on your map.
- Travel to Sietch Tarl: Head into the Western Shield Wall. The ruins are located on a ledge between the cliff passes. Expect environmental hazards.
- Recover the Tablet: Interact with the glowing data slate resting on an altar surrounded by broken columns. A short vision may play.
- Return to Derek: Bring the artifact back toImperial Testing Station No. 2. Derek will reflect on the meaning of Kyne’s work and prepare for a more dangerous operation.
- Locations: Imperial Testing Station No. 2 → Arrakeen → Sietch Tarl → Imperial Testing Station No. 2
- Unlocks: No skills directly, required to access Capstone chain
- Tip: Equip thermal-resistant gear — Sietch Tarl borders high-heat zones
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- Thufir Hawat’s Location.
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- Sietch Tal.
7. Quest 6: “A Reasonable Routine”
This is the first quest to unlock a Planetologist capstone ability. Derek moves to Testing Station No. 29 in the Hagga Rift. You’ll need to break into a sealed research wing, find another hidden archive, and retrieve a special Minimic Film.
- Travel to Testing Station 29: Enter the fissure canyon near the center of Hagga Rift. Derek stands at the station entrance.
- Explore the Station: Move through the lower tunnels. The area is dim and cluttered with supply crates. Expect light resistance or patrols depending on instance phase.
- Find a Purple ID Band: You’ll need this to enter the research wing. It may be found in a nearby locker or container.
- Unlock the Secret Room: Past the purple door, look for a yellow-glowing bookshelf. Interact with it to open a hidden lab passage.
- Recover the Film: The container is in a refrigerated storage unit inside the hidden lab. Loot it to obtain climate sequencing data.
- Return to Derek: He waits outside Testing Station 29 and will unlock your first capstone: Spice Surveyor.
- Location: Imperial Testing Station No. 29, Hagga Rift
- Unlocks: Capstone 1 – Spice Surveyor
- Tip: Loot additional crafting mats in diagnostic crates near the hidden room
Training Station No. 29.
8. Quest 7: “Clues from the Past”
This mission unlocks the second Planetologist capstone skill: Conservation of Energy. Derek moves to Testing Station No. 71 in The O’odham. You must retrieve both a Minimic Film and a hand-written copy of Kyne’s Notes from within the research facility’s sealed chambers.
- Travel to Testing Station 71: Reach The O’odham region and locate Testing Station 71 in the southern cliff basin. Derek waits just outside or inside near the gate room.
- Search for Blue ID Band: Fight or sneak through the corridors until you find a dead researcher near a locked door. Loot the Blue ID Band from the body.
- Find the Hidden Archive: Use the ID to open the sealed chamber, then scan the side walls for a yellow-glowing bookshelf. This leads to the Minimic Film cache.
- Retrieve the Film: Loot the sealed crate inside the hidden archive. This film contains sandwave analysis data.
- Locate Kyne’s Notes: In a rear hallway, descend into a ritual-style room with desert runes. The notes are on a pedestal.
- Survive the Ambush: Interacting with the notes triggers two waves of attackers, including a Holtzman-shielded shotgunner. Use corners and poison mines to control the fight.
- Return to Derek: Speak to Derek outside the station. He unlocks the second capstone: Conservation of Energy.
- Location: Imperial Testing Station No. 71, The O’odham
- Unlocks: Capstone 2 – Conservation of Energy
- Tip: Use stealth gear or a noise-suppressing pistol to bypass extra patrols
Training Station No. 71.
9. Quest 8: “The Planetologist Report”
This quest acts as the final narrative setup for your class unlock. After delivering Kyne’s Notes, Derek is targeted for assassination. You’ll speak with Cyprian Io again in Arrakeen and return to Imperial Testing Station No. 2 to defend Derek from a two-squad sniper ambush. Completing this step unlocks the final Testing Station.
- Talk to Derek at Testing Station 71: He’ll ask you to get Cyprian’s final approval using Kyne’s report.
- Fly to Arrakeen: Use a pilot at Griffin’s Reach or any other Trade Post.
- Speak to Cyprian Io: Inside the Salusan Bull’s upper floor. He denounces both you and Derek as traitors.
- Return to Imperial Testing Station No. 2 Camp: Travel back to Derek’s old camp aboveImperial Testing Station No. 2. As you approach, the event triggers automatically.
- Defend the Camp: Two enemy sniper squads attack from opposing ridges. Use rocks and elevation to evade their sightlines. One sniper uses a Holtzman rifle and teleports.
- Scan the Tactical Table: After the ambush, interact with Derek’s mission table inside the tent. This updates your map with the location of Testing Station 163.
- Derek is Gone: He disappears after this step and will not be seen again until the finale.
- Locations: Testing Station 71 → Arrakeen → Imperial Testing Station No. 2Camp
- Unlocks: Final Quest Location – Testing Station 163
- Tip: Use a scoped rifle or drone scan to spot snipers early
Cyprian Io’s Location.
10. Quest 9: “The Final Piece”
This is the final mission in the Planetologist questline. You must travel to Imperial Testing Station No. 163 in The O’odham and activate a Solido Projection of Kyne. Survive the final enemy wave, speak to Derek, and unlock Capstone 3 – Heat Management along with your class-exclusive armor: the Batigh Stillsuit.
- Travel to Testing Station 163: Reach the eastern cliffs of The O’odham. Testing Station 163 is embedded in a rock wall above a dry flood basin. Use a bike or Ornithopter to reach it quickly.
- Clear the Facility: Inside, you’ll fight a series of Holtzman-shielded melee guards and tech grenadiers. Save stamina and rotate cover.
- Activate the Hologram: In the final chamber, interact with the Ancient Solido Recorder. A full-projection of Kyne plays and explains the true purpose of the research.
- Speak to Derek: He spawns near the entrance after the hologram ends. His dialogue confirms your success and offers the final unlock.
- Unlock Final Skill: You now gain Capstone 3 – Heat Management, which boosts your survivability and energy control in extreme biomes.
- Receive the Armor: Derek gives you the Batigh Stillsuit — exclusive armor with mobility buffs and thermal resistance.
- Location: Testing Station No. 163, The O’odham
- Unlocks:
- Capstone 3 – Heat Management
- Batigh Stillsuit (Unique Planetologist Armor)
- Tip: Equip water-recycling boosters to extend time in heat zones post-quest
Training Station No.163.
11. Planetologist Trainer Locations – Where to Find Derek Chinara
Derek Chinara is the only NPC who teaches Planetologist skills in Dune: Awakening. He moves across the map after each quest and only appears once the previous mission is completed. Use this list to track his location during your unlock process.
- Quest 1: Cliffside above Imperial Testing Station No. 2 – Hagga Basin South
- Quest 2: Testing Station 197 – West Vermilius Gap
- Quest 3: Returns to Imperial Testing Station No. 2 camp (after Arrakeen)
- Quest 4: Captured in Testing Station 76 – Jabal Eifrit al-Janub
- Quest 5: Imperial Testing Station No. 2 camp again (after Sietch Tarl)
- Quest 6: Testing Station 29 – Hagga Rift
- Quest 7: Testing Station 71 – The O’odham
- Quest 8: Imperial Testing Station No. 2 cliff ambush (disappears after)
- Quest 9: Final appearance at Testing Station 163 – The O’odham
If you’re following the Dune: Awakening Planetologist walkthrough, double-check Derek’s current location before continuing—he won’t appear until the previous quest is fully complete.
FAQ
How do I unlock the Planetologist class?
Where is Derek Chinara located?
What do I get for finishing the class chain?
What is the Batigh Stillsuit?
Can I skip the political dialogue with Cyprian?
What’s the best skill tree for Planetologist?
