The Dune Awakening Trooper class is the most classic 'Soldier' archetype class in the game. But don’t let the simple overview fool you, the Trooper is a great class for anyone.
If you like big guns, heavy armour, and being the first into the fight, the Trooper class in Dune Awakening might be your thing. It’s the go-to choice for players who want to soak up damage and hit back harder. Troopers aren’t fancy, unless you count their grapple hook ability. However, they’re tough, direct, and built for action.
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes the Trooper fun to play, which skills are actually worth using, and how to build a setup that keeps you alive on the sands of Arrakis.
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Trooper Class Overview
The Trooper is, without a doubt, the most basic of the five classes in Dune Awakening. This is far from a negative; in fact, we even considered it our best pick for a starting class. The Trooper is basic, but that makes it really easy to pick up and get the hang of. With how secondary classes work in Dune, having a stable base in the Trooper also makes a lot of sense. You can always play the other classes as well, and take the best parts of their skills to improve your Trooper anyway.
Playstyle
When it comes to how the Trooper plays, it’s a fairly standard soldier archetype, with abilities and skills that aid in your combat-focused gameplay.
The standard gameplay loop uses ranged weapons to take out enemies while using skills such as Shigawire Cable (grappling hook) to reach high points. Your ability to move and shoot, utilise cover, and change vertices is key to how you win any fight. Alongside shooting, grenades and disruption fields are your ways to control the battlefield.
Trooper is also amazing for both solo and team play, something not all classes excel at the same level. Your pick for secondary class will impact this, but Trooper will be welcome in any game mode.
For those looking to PvP, once again, Trooper is a good option here. Ranged combat, alongside crowd control and grenades, makes them a deadly foe to come up against.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Trooper
The Trooper might be the most straightforward class on the surface, but there’s plenty of depth once you know how to play it right. Like any class in Dune Awakening, it has its strong points and weak spots. Here's a breakdown of where the Trooper shines:
Good
- Tanky
- Strong mid-range
- Easy to learn
- Versatile
Bad
- Low mobility
- Weak at long range
- Lack of stealth
Trooper Strengths
Tanky by Default
Troopers can take a beating. You’ve got more health than most, and with the right skills, you’re even harder to kill. Great for players who like to stay in the fight longer.
Strong Mid-Range Combat
This class is best at mid-range. You’re not stuck up close, but you don’t need to sit back either. It’s a flexible range where you can pressure enemies and stay safe.
Crowd Control Options
Grenades, suppression fields, and other tools help you control space. These are great in both PvE and PvP when you need to slow things down or stop a push.
Easy to Learn
There’s no complex setup here. Troopers are simple to play and easy to get results with. You can jump in, hold your own, and learn as you go.
Works Everywhere
Whether you're solo or in a group, PvE or PvP, Trooper always fits. The toolkit is solid and reliable, no matter the mode or team comp.
Trooper Weaknesses
Low Mobility
You’re not fast. If you get caught out, it’s hard to escape. Suspensor Training helps, but you’re still not keeping up with mobility-focused classes.
High Target Priority
You’re loud, tough, and dangerous, which makes you a target. Expect to get focused in fights, especially in PvP.
Weak at Long Range
Troopers struggle against snipers or other ranged builds. If you can’t close the gap, you’ll just get chipped down.
Gear Dependent
You need good weapons and armour. If your gear doesn’t match your build, you’ll feel weaker than other classes.
No Stealth or Traps
You don’t sneak or ambush. Trooper is all about direct combat, not subtle plays or sneaky flanks.
Trooper Specialisations Explained - Class Skills and Abilities
Each class has three specialisations to pick from, working as a sort of talent tree. With your starting class being locked down, it’s important to focus on the right paths early. The Trooper’s three specialisations are as follows:
- Gunnery
- Suspensor Training
- Tactical Tech
To start off, Gunnery is the most “stick to the plan” of the three. Gunnery leans into the ranged weapon mastery, increasing the base damage of certain weapons. A number of specific skills will allow you to increase the damage of heavy weapons and scatterguns (shotguns). The idea of Gunnery is just to do more damage.
Second is the Suspensor Training, which is the crowd control-focused skill set. You’ll also gain access to more mobility, including mid-air dashes, antigravity fields, and other effects that slow enemies. These skills are what add to the unique flavour of Trooper, so don’t skimp out on these, as they are important for giving you the edge.
Lastly, Tactical Tech is all about explosives, area damage, battlefield control, and overall utility. In summary, Tactical Tech is what rounds out the kit. There’s a big focus here on your grenades and other utility options. This is also where we get some of our added mobility and support tools.
Second class/subclass
Bene Gesserit – Best for Disruption and Control
Why it’s good for Trooper:
This one gives you mind tricks, stuns, silences, and movement denial. It’s great for locking down targets or breaking up fights before they even start. As a Trooper, it adds control where your raw kit might lack finesse.
Why it might not be:
You lose the straight-line focus Troopers thrive on. Bene Gesserit powers can feel a bit slow or situational if you're more about shooting and grenades than timing and control.
Swordmaster – Best for Aggression and Close Combat
Why it’s good for Trooper:
If you want to go all-in on pressure, Swordmaster gives you the tools. You get melee boosts, gap closers, and stamina-based damage. Paired with Trooper’s durability, this makes you a brutal frontline threat.
Why it might not be:
You’re forced into closer range, which isn’t always where Troopers do best. If your gear’s not built for melee, or if you don’t like being in people's faces 24/7, it can backfire fast.
Mentat – Best for Smart Utility and PvP Play
Why it’s good for Trooper:
Mentat adds buffs, counters, and battlefield awareness. You can spot enemies early, shut down specific threats, or buff your own cooldowns. It’s ideal if you want to play smarter and outlast opponents.
Why it might not be:
Not much raw damage here. If you’re looking for something to push your offence harder, Mentat won't give you that. It’s a support toolkit, not a brawler’s.
Planetologist – Best for Exploration and Utility
Why it’s good for Trooper:
Planetologist is great if you’re focused on survival, resource gathering, and team support. You’ll get better water recovery, improved mining, and solid vehicle perks — perfect for long trips across the desert. Skills like Suspensor Pad and Mountaineer also give you extra movement options.
Why it might not be:
It’s not a combat subclass. You won’t get damage boosts or strong crowd control. In PvP, you’ll feel underpowered unless you rely fully on your Trooper side.
Best Trooper Talents
This section will be coming once the game is out and we have access to later game content. For the early game, pick talents that work for you as you can easily reset your talents as you go.
FAQ
Is Trooper a good first class
Yes, Trooper is an ideal starting class, purely because it’s such a standard combat class.
Can the Trooper only use ranged combat?
No, the Trooper has access to a melee weapon as well. While not as effective as the Swordmaster, you will still need it to break shields in the early game.
Is Trooper a good secondary class
For us, Trooper is a take it or leave it class. We think if you want to play Trooper, have it as your primary class, as you can get better options in the secondary role.
