In the vast deserts of Arrakis, Dune: Awakening has captivated survivors with its deep character customization and branching progression systems. While you pick your initial training – Bene Gesserit, Mentat, Swordmaster, or Trooper – at character creation, the 2026 landscape offers many more paths to power. Unlocking additional skill trees is vital for crafting a versatile build, and one of the earliest and most rewarding is the Trooper Proving Grounds quest line. This guide details how to find the elusive Trooper trainer, complete the contract, and claim your new combat abilities.
Finding the Trooper Trainer
The first step to mastering trooper tactics is locating Griffin’s Reach Tradepost, a bustling trading hub in the far west of the starting area. This outpost serves as a sanctuary for new arrivals and seasoned veterans alike, swapping supplies and sharing rumors. Once you arrive, enter the main structure and look for Ghavouri, a rugged NPC marked as a 'trainer'. He stands near the southernmost doors, often surrounded by other wanderers. Initiate a dialogue and ask to learn from him; Ghavouri will recount tales of his adversaries and offer you a contract. This is the Trooper Proving Grounds – a series of bounties that prove your worth. Accept the contract to add the quest to your log.
The Trooper Proving Grounds Contract
Ghavouri’s contract isn’t a simple fetch quest; it’s a trial by combat spread across three distinct hideouts. The targets are revealed one after another, each appearing as a marker on your map. You’ll need to be armed and ready, as each fight takes place in confined tunnels against enemies with explosive tendencies. Prepare your best weapon, stock up on healing supplies, and sharpen your blade – or your aim – before venturing out.
Target 1: Aatu Golven in Kaleff’s Stand
Your first mark is Aatu Golven, holed up in Kaleff’s Stand. This rocky outcrop sits east of the Wreck of the Alcyon, within the Hagga Basin South. When you reach the waypoint, search for a stone structure with a tunnel entrance draped in fibrous netting. Slice through the netting with your knife or shoot it away, then step inside. Aatu will be waiting in the dim interior. Eliminate him swiftly – a few well-placed shots or a powerful melee combo will do the job. Watch for any secondary explosions that might erupt from the corpse; the tunnel’s tight quarters amplify blast radius. Once Aatu falls, the first contract condition is satisfied, and your next target appears on the map.
Target 2: Kirsi Tol in Shamal Tunnel
The trail leads further east to Shamal Tunnel, a desolate cavern carved by ancient sandstorms. The entrance mirrors the previous hideout: identical netting blocks the way. Cut through and repeat the process. Kirsi Tol is slightly more aggressive than Aatu, darting between cover and using short-range explosives. Keep moving to avoid the blast zones, and finish her off with ranged attacks if possible to maintain distance. After the kill, don’t linger – the tunnel may contain additional hostile fauna or scavengers attracted by the noise. Loot her remains quickly and backtrack to the surface.
Target 3: Cardanus Ulun in Edgeway Cavern
The final bounty is Cardanus Ulun, located southeast in Edgeway Cavern. This lair is the deepest of the three, requiring a careful descent. Just as before, the entrance is sealed with netting – slice it open and prepare for the toughest fight yet. Cardanus fights with a brutal close-quarters style and carries incendiary grenades. Use the cavern’s rock pillars as cover and bait out his grenade throws before closing in. Once you land the killing blow, harvest any valuable loot, including resources that can be used for crafting or trading back at Griffin’s Reach.
Reporting Back and Unlocking Trooper Mastery
With all three enemies eliminated, a prompt will direct you to return to Griffin’s Reach Tradepost. The journey back is a good chance to refine your build or craft upgraded gear, especially if the fights depleted your reserves. Speak to Ghavouri again and tell him the contract is fulfilled. Impressed by your efficiency, he will initiate the training sequence. A cutscene or dialogue sequence marks the moment you gain access to the Trooper Skill Tree – a new branch on your character panel filled with perks that enhance durability, weapon handling, and explosive resistance.
From this point forward, every skill point you earn can be invested into trooper abilities, letting you customize your survivor with improved combat rolls, faster reloads, or passive damage mitigation. This tree synergizes well with heavy weapons and frontline playstyles, making it a favorite among players who enjoy leading assaults in the treacherous open world of Arrakis.
Unlocking the Trooper skill tree early provides a significant advantage, but remember that other trainers like the Swordmaster or Mentat are waiting elsewhere. Exploring every corner of the desert will reveal more paths to power. For now, head out and put those new trooper skills to the test against sandworms, rival factions, and the harsh environment. Good luck, desert walker.