From outpost chest routes to marketplace arbitrage on Arrakis
Updated for the live game (late September 2025).
If you’re starting fresh in Dune: Awakening, Solari is the grease that keeps every machine turning—repairs, water, vehicles, gear, taxes, and, later, the CHOAM Exchange. This guide gives you two playbooks:
- Safe early‑game money loops you can run solo without griefing yourself into the maw of Shai‑Hulud, and
- Late‑game Exchange flips—how to read a quiet market, cover travel and listing fees, and turn knowledge into Solari.
Along the way we’ll show where to bank (so you don’t drop your hard‑earned cash on death), how chest respawn timers work (so you’re never idle), and which route bones you can flesh out into reliable, repeatable income.
First principles: understand your money, your risk, and your map
Solari vs. Solari Credits (and why banking matters)
Out in Hagga Basin and the wilds you spend cash (Solari). In the cities (Arrakeen and Harko Village) you can deposit at the Guild Bank to convert that cash into Solari Credits—safe from death, and usable with many city vendors. You can’t spend Credits in Hagga, so carry enough cash for field expenses, but bank the bulk to prevent losses (you’ll lose some Solari on death, and all if a sandworm gets you). The bank and Exchange live in the same buildings in Arrakeen/Harko, so do both in one stop.
Getting to the hubs (and budgeting for the trip)
You can fast‑travel to Arrakeen or Harko Village from any Tradepost taxi NPC for 2,500 Solari—the return trip to your Tradepost is free. Plan your Exchange runs to bundle multiple listings per visit so that one taxi fare amortizes across many sales.
Quick context on the Exchange: It’s in Arrakeen and Harko Village, but many servers’ markets are thin—partly due to travel friction and early‑game self‑sufficiency. That’s your chance to profit (or to sell what isn’t listed).
The timers that drive your loops
- Chests respawn on a ~45‑minute timer (PvE),
- Enemies in ~8–10 minutes, and
- Resource nodes in ~10 minutes.
Vendor inventories tick daily. Learn these so you’re never waiting—rotate between chest circuits, clear adds on the way, mine a few nodes, then lap back when chests are up again.
The map tools you’ll actually use
- Tradeposts anchor your early loops and taxis: Griffin’s Reach, The Anvil, Pinnacle Station, The Crossroads.
- Enemy Outposts are your chest‑rich PvE locations; Hagga Basin alone has dozens (e.g., Threeway Outpost, Broken Stone Station, Hollow Arches, Southview, Weather Top, Ironwatch, The Aegis, etc.). Use an interactive map to pin your own circuit.
Safe, soloable early‑game money: three backbone chest loops
These loops are built for consistency first, profit second, and assume only basic gear. They stay PvE‑leaning and near taxiable Tradeposts so you can bank frequently.
Tip: Many locked loot rooms use ID Bands (color‑coded). Clear the nearby area for the band and open the secret doors—they’re often where the good chests are.
Loop 1 — Hagga Basin South: “Griffin’s Reach circuit”
Anchor: Griffin’s Reach (Tradepost)
Stops (clockwise): Threeway Outpost → Broken Stone Station → The Scrape → Hollow Arches, then return to Griffin’s Reach to vendor trash and taxi if needed.
Why it works: Densely packed, relatively gentle NPC pressure, quick rides between stops. You’ll pick up low‑tier parts, cash bundles, and occasionally schematics for a steady bankroll while you learn combat lines and interior layouts. Set a 45‑minute chest timer when you leave Griffin’s; the 8–10 minute enemy respawn keeps the route lively without overwhelming you.
Playstyle notes
- Enter each outpost methodically: clear, scan for band‑locked rooms, loot chests, don’t linger.
- On the way, grab nearby resource outcrops (10‑minute respawn) to pad vendor money.
- Bank in town once you’ve got a fat stack—don’t parade your cash; griefers love easy marks.
Loop 2 — Eastern Vermillius Gap: “Anvil edge”
Anchor: The Anvil (Tradepost)
Stops: Southview → Eastview → Slaver’s Regret → The Bulwark → Way Out East, back to The Anvil.
Why it works: Two sturdy complexes with multi‑floor interiors and good chest density. If you pull a rare schematic, the taxi to Arrakeen/Harko is right there. Again: 45‑minute chest cadence; mine a few nodes between sites.
Playstyle notes
- Expect a couple of color‑band doors—learn common spawn spots for bands.
- Keep weight light; save heavy crafting stacks for your base stash so you can remain nimble if you need to dash for cover.
Loop 3 — Eastern/Western Shield Wall (entry tier): “Pinnacle plateaus”
Anchor: Pinnacle Station (Tradepost)
Stops (mix & match): Southern Comms → Eastern Comms → Weather Top → Ironwatch → The Keep.
Why it works: Tight hop distances and multiple interiors. The Pinnacle anchor gives fast bank/taxi access if you pull something Exchange‑worthy. Avoid The Aegis while you’re gearing—PvP risk outweighs early profit. Enemies at 8–10 minutes, chests at ~45—rotate the order each lap to flow with respawns.
Playstyle notes
- Set two timers: 10 minutes (resource/enemy sweep), 45 minutes (chests).
- Consider grabbing Industrial Pumps later from Sentinel City (Shield Wall) once you’re stronger—those feed vehicle wings and often sell well on the Exchange.
How much can you expect early? Community guides commonly report five‑figure Solari per 30–45‑minute circuit depending on RNG and whether you snag schematics or valuable components. A conservative rhythm—two circuits then a bank run—keeps the risk near zero.
Safety, banking & griefing 101 (don’t donate to the worm)
- Bank often: Convert cash to Solari Credits in Arrakeen/Harko. You lose some cash on death and all to a sandworm; Credits are safe and used in cities.
- Travel smart: Bundle postings and purchases so one 2,500 Solari taxi funds multiple Exchange actions (return to your Tradepost is free).
- Avoid sandworm grief setups in Hagga (thumper + thopter antics can still get you in PvE areas). Stick to your circuits, watch the horizon, and don’t loiter in open sand.
Mid‑game: what to sell, not just farm
As you get comfortable, add a “speculative pocket” to your runs—one slot you reserve for something you’ll list on the Exchange rather than vendor.
Good candidates (examples):
- Unique schematics and “hidden room” chest finds from outposts and Testing Stations.
- Niche build components like Industrial Pumps from Sentinel City (used for ornithopter wings). These have real, practical demand spikes.
- Daily‑reset vendor pickups (24‑hour cadence) that are in demand on your server—use them to seed small flips if the Exchange stock is empty.
Route glue: Use an interactive map (TH.GL) to dot your own intel locations, secret doors, outposts, and taxi nodes so your loop always has “one more good stop” before you head back to bank.
Late‑game flips: an Exchange arbitrage playbook
The Exchange is server‑local, listings can be sparse, and travel costs and fees matter. That’s not a bug—it’s your edge if you approach it like a trader.
1) Know your costs (and your break‑even)
Community breakdowns report seller‑side fees (e.g., a listing fee up front and a sale cut on completion). Target flips that comfortably clear those fees plus your 2,500 Solari taxi (if you’re not already in a hub). If fees are ~15% all‑in on your server, aim for 25–40% spreads to account for market drift. (Exact values can change with patches—check the Exchange tooltip when listing.)
2) Trade what moves (not just what’s rare)
On thin markets the winners are items that solve immediate problems:
- Vehicle parts / Industrial Pumps (players pushing their first thopter),
- Repair and crafting components that block progress,
- Sought‑after schematics from your PvE loops.
When a market has only a couple of listings for a practical item, you can set the reference price by being the only consistent seller.
3) Two‑hub scan: Arrakeen ↔ Harko
Because both hubs host the Exchange, scan both. The 2,500 Solari taxi makes sense when you’re checking multiple items—especially if you also need to bank or pay taxes on the same trip (and the return is free). Timing this around other errands turns travel into near‑zero marginal cost.
4) Build a pricebook (and update it weekly)
Pick 10–12 staples on your server (e.g., Industrial Pumps, Heavy/Light Caliber Compressors, common T5/T6 schematics, diamondine dust, water stacks, spice consumables). Record the low listing and stock depth. Check again on weekend prime time. Your flips are the gaps—buy oddball underpriced listings, then relist at the band’s midpoint with a 24–48h horizon.
5) Respect server ecology (and exploit it)
Players debate whether the Exchange should be cross‑server; what matters to you is your server’s quirks. On a sleepy market, being present (relisting, small bundles, fair prices) creates your own demand. On hot servers, you can under‑cut, sell out, and exit quickly before waves of under‑cutters arrive.
6) Stack errands to slash friction
- Bank large Solari into Credits,
- List your items,
- Pay taxes if due,
- Browse both hubs in one session.
That reduces the effective cost of each trip, turning borderline flips into profitable ones.
Worked examples (mindset > numbers)
Numbers fluctuate wildly by server; use these as approaches, not fixed prices.
- Niche scarcity flip: You notice 0 Industrial Pumps listed in Arrakeen, but a few in Harko. You taxi to Harko, buy 3, taxi Arrakeen, list 2 at a fair mid‑range and keep 1 for your guild. You just became “the guy with Pumps” on your sietch.
- Band‑room schematic flip: On your Eastern Gap loop, a red‑band room yields a Unique schematic. Vendor value is peanuts compared to Exchange demand—bank, fly to a hub, and list at a thoughtful anchor price (not the meme price). If nobody’s listed one, give buyers a reason to move quickly with a slightly below‑expectation number.
- Daily vendor arbitrage (situational): Some city vendors rotate stock daily. If your Exchange has no water stacks or certain parts listed, buy the vendor limit and post in small, affordable bundles. Your margin isn’t from vendor markup but from solving availability. (Don’t rely on this alone; it’s supplemental.)
A three‑day plan to go from broke to comfortable
Day 1 — Foundation
- Unlock Griffin’s Reach taxi, run Hagga South circuit twice, bank after each.
- Start an interactive map pinboard for outposts, bands, and secret doors.
- Taxi to Arrakeen once you’ve got a cushion; deposit, list one good item (even a small stack) to learn the fee math.
Day 2 — Expand
- Add the Eastern Vermillius Gap loop; rotate with Hagga South to chase the 45‑minute chest cadence.
- Begin a pricebook: log 10–12 item prices in both hubs.
- If the Exchange is empty for useful staples, be the first to seed the market with fair stacks.
Day 3 — Specialize
- Graduate to Pinnacle loop; test your first Sentinel City dip if you want Industrial Pumps (gear up).
- List your first mid‑tier schematic. Adjust to actual demand—don’t get trapped by high listing fees relisting the same item for days.
Pro tips & pitfalls
- Don’t sell everything to NPCs. Vendor payouts are quick but often a fraction of Exchange value; hold premium mats and schematics for the hubs if your server’s market supports them.
- Bank timing > greed. Two circuits → bank → repeat. The extra taxi is cheaper than losing a run to a sandworm stunt.
- Watch patch days and weekends. Demand spikes when players log in en masse or chase new builds; that’s flip time. (Scan both hubs.)
- Know when to walk away. If an item’s been relisted multiple times and bled fees, salvage it, craft something people actually need, and sell that instead.
Route bones you can adapt (name‑checked POIs)
- Hagga Basin South: Threeway Outpost, Broken Stone Station, The Scrape, Hollow Arches.
- Eastern Vermillius Gap: Southview, Eastview, Slaver’s Regret, The Bulwark, Way Out East.
- Shield Wall (entry tier): Southern Comms, Eastern Comms, Weather Top, Ironwatch, The Keep.
Use these to sketch laps that fit your spawn timings and comfort with interiors.
Closing thought: play the quiet markets
Because travel costs, banking friction, and thin supply keep some players away, Arrakeen/Harko Exchanges are still a bit of a ghost town on many servers. That’s an opportunity: the trader who shows up regularly—with fair bundles, useful parts, and steady relists—becomes the market. Combine that with safe, low‑drama chest loops and you’ll never need to touch risky PvP to fund your rigs and builds.
Alternate (safe) Exchange checklist
- Before you leave Hagga: empty backpack junk, carry only the items you intend to list plus taxi fare.
- In the hub: bank first, then list—fees hurt less when the rest is secured.
- Scan both hubs: use Arrakeen/Harko to triangulate fair value and identify gaps.
- List in small stacks: lowers sticker shock and increases turnover.
- Schedule: Hit hubs when you’re also paying taxes or trainer errands to amortize the trip.
Note: Economy values and fees can change with patches; always check the in‑game Exchange tooltips and your server’s listings before committing capital.
