The main mission of Dune: Awakening forces players to abandon their very first base built in the starting area, Hagga Basin South. In order to progress and unlock subsequent objectives of the story quest "Moving On," this is a required step, but one that many players may not be ready to take.

Luckily, there are quite a few ways to conveniently save all items in the first base, transfer them over to the second base, and progress the story without losing anything. Here’s how.

How to Abandon Base in Dune: Awakening

The easy way to abandon a base in Dune: Awakening is by opening the map, selecting the base icon, and choosing the option “Abandon Base.” What this does is instantly destroy the Sub-Fief Console inside the base, immediately removing the player’s claim from the area.

Players can also abandon base using the Construction Tool. Equip the Construction Tool, aim at the Sub-Fief Console, select the “Demolish” option, and press the activation key. The only difference between the two methods is that you get back the Salvage Metal that went into the construction of the Sub-Fief Console if you do so directly, whereas with the map method, you don’t.

What Happens When You Abandon Base in 'Moving On' in Dune: Awakening

abandoning base in dune awakening

When players abandon a base in Dune: Awakening, everything inside the base enters an unclaimed state. Unclaimed bases aren’t destroyed but persist in the world as is. Other than the Sub-Fief Console being destroyed, there will be no changes to the physical state of the base. Items stored inside chests will remain inside, but any machines that require power, like Refineries and Fuel Generators will stop working.

If the base has power, for example, and a Blood Purifier was working to convert blood into water before the base was abandoned, it will immediately stop doing so after the base is abandoned. Additionally, unclaimed bases aren’t protected from other players, which means anyone can enter the base, take anything they want, or even destroy it directly; there is no stopping them. Other players can even put their own Sub-Fief Console inside the base and claim the structure for their own.

How to Transfer Items Out of Abandoned Bases in Dune: Awakening

storing items on sandbike in dune awakening

Inventory space in Dune: Awakening is limited, and transferring items in bulk quantities between an abandoned base and a new one can be time-consuming if players have to make multiple trips. Fortunately, players can increase their transportation ability by installing extra inventory space on their Sandbike, making moving easy.

To do so, craft a Sandbike Inventory Mk1 from the Fabricator. This recipe is learned as part of Sandbike Mk1 Assembly Research. Equip a Welding Torch Mk1 and install the Sandbike Inventory on your Sandbike. If you have the Sandbike Backseat or a Booster installed on your vehicle, detach that first, as that’s the slot where the Inventory is supposed to go. Once the inventory is installed, select the “More” option while looking at the bike, choose “Open Inventory” from the action wheel, and transfer items as needed.

How to Reclaim Abandoned Bases in Dune: Awakening

placing sub-fief console in dune awakening

The main mission of Dune: Awakening forces you to abandon your first base, but what the game doesn’t tell you is that there is an easy way to reclaim this base as soon as you abandon it, effectively reversing the decision while still completing the objective.

In Dune: Awakening, players can have three active bases at one time: two with a Sub-Fief Console and one with an Advanced Sub-Fief Console. After abandoning a base, players can immediately place a new Sub-Fief Console in the same spot, and as long as all the constructed buildings remain inside the new area’s boundary, it will be as if you never abandoned the base at all.

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Released
June 10, 2025
Developer(s)
Funcom
Publisher(s)
Funcom
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Franchise
Dune
PC Release Date
June 10, 2025
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
Open-World, Survival, MMO
Platform(s)
PC