One of the greatest moments in the Dune progression journey is when you first jump into your hard-earned ornithopter and take to the skies. Being able to fly over Arrakis is truly a thing of beauty. So, let's help you get there!
In addition to being the most efficient way to travel in Dune Awakening, the ornithopter also allows you to leave the map and enter the Overworld. This 'tabletop-like' map allows you to very quickly move from one side of the map to the other.
Getting one of these flying machines is pretty hard however, especially if you decide to craft one. In this guide, we’ll let you know of each way to obtain one so you can decide how you want to go about it.
How to Get An Ornithopter - Reputation Method (No Crafting Required)
Want to fly across Arrakis right away? You can get your first Ornithopter without crafting, just by focusing on Reputation and Solari. Here's how, step by step.
Step 1 – Pick a Faction & Build Reputation
Choose Atreides or Harkonnen and stick with it. Do their faction quests, like patrols and deliveries, which you can pick up in The Anvil Tradepost. You will need to reach Reputation Level 4.
Step 2 – Save Up Solari
You’ll need 125,000 Solari. Earn it by doing quests, selling loot, trading, and exploring.
Step 3 – Visit Your Faction Vendor
Once you have reached Reputation Level 4 and have the Solari ready, it's time to head to your faction vendor. You can find the vendors at the locations listed below:
- Atreides: Visit the vendor at Arrakeen
- Harkonnen: Visit the vendor in Harko Village
Buy the Ornithopter outright; no crafting or parts are needed.
How to Get An Ornithopter - Crafting Method (Lots of Crafting Required)
To craft the ornithopter you first need to unlock the Research which requires you to have spent 300 Intel. The ornithopter research is then another 30 Intel for a total minimum of 330 Intel.
Assuming you are using a Medium Ore Refinery (which you need to have to smelt Aluminum Ingots anyway) and a small Chemical Refinery, you'll need to come up with the following resources:
- Water: 57,406
- Aluminum Ingots: 241 (1,687 Ore)
- Cobalt Paste: 82 (246 Erythrite Crystals)
- Diamondine Dust: 14
- Carbide Scraps: 7
- Advanced Servoks: 46
- Particle Capacitor: 22
- Armor Plating: 22
- Complex Machinery: 8
- Industrial Pumps: 8
We have guides available to show you the easiest way to obtain the Aluminum Ore, Diamondine Dust and Industrial Pumps.
Buy It From The Auction House
Another way to buy an Ornithopter is just to buy the stuff from the Auction House. In the early stage of the game, you should be careful what you buy. There are a lot of listings, but you will typically find that most of them have some damage that you can't ever remove. Likely, people have replaced the part and then sold it on. If you need to get an Ornithopter without rep, this is another good way to do it. But bear in mind the fee might be higher than other ways of getting it.
Buy Parts of it from the Vehicle Vendors
While you can't buy the full vehicle form them at all times, the Vehicle Vendors in Arrakeen and Harko Villages will sell modules which reset each day. For example, one day they had just one item which was the Albatross Wing Module MK5. So, while not the best way to do it, if you're lucky, the vendor might have what you need. Said vendor reset daily at midday EU (server time). Check your local region, but the vendor does feature a restock counter.
How to Store an Ornithopter
As mentioned at the start, the light/scout Ornithopter can be stored in the Vehicle Backup Tool like your Sandbike.
When it comes to storing it at your base, however, you'll need to use a protected Helipad. One way is to use a similar system you might use for a Buggy, but as the Ornithopter can take off vertically, it's best to design the space in a similar way.
For this, we need to use a Pentashield Door, specifically the vertical version. Make a space at least 3x3 wide, and ideally two foundations high at least. Then place the Pentashield Door in one corner, and drag it to the other. Click once to place it and make sure it looks ok. Now park your Ornithopter inside and make sure it fits, etc. Once all is good, construct the Pentashield Door, and you are safe.
As a note, if you are not able to craft the Pentashield right away due to high costs, you can "bury" your Ornithopter inside a box on your roof for now. Simply do the same as above, 3x3 wide space, two foundations high, then just roof over it to protect it. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will keep it safe while you farm for the Pentashield parts.
