Chapter 3 Free Update + Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC

What’s included in the Chapter 3 release?

This release is split into two parts:

• Free Chapter 3 Update (available immediately to everyone who owns Dune: Awakening)
• Paid DLC: Raiders of the Broken Lands (included with Season Pass, Deluxe, or Ultimate editions; otherwise $9.99 standalone, or $24.99 for the full Season Pass)

Welcome Back package (28+ days)

If you haven’t logged in for more than 28 days, you’ll now receive a Welcome Back care package with starter resources to help you jump back in without feeling behind.

Chapter 3 Free Update highlights

Revamped endgame progression (new Landsraad structure)

The Landsraad endgame has been rebuilt around a mission-based loop that supports different play styles and offers more consistent rewards. You’ll now pick Missions that grant progress across multiple systems:

• Faction Ranks
  Expanded with additional tiers. At the top, your chosen faction leader offers a new “capstone” special mission to mark your rise.
• Great House Standing
  You’ll still earn favor with Great Houses, but now you choose a mission first, then decide which House receives the standing gains.
• Specialization XP
  Every mission awards a new XP type that advances your chosen specialization track (details below).

Specializations (5 progression tracks)

Chapter 3 introduces five specialization paths that let you fine-tune your character focus:

• Crafting
• Gathering
• Exploration
• Combat
• Sabotage

As you earn Specialization XP, you unlock traits and major bonuses—for example, boosts to headshot damage, inventory capacity, or even access to systems like Augmentation.

Augmentation progression (Tier 6 gear upgrades)

Augments can now be installed onto Unique Tier 6 weapons and armor to push power further.

• Find and craft new augments via discovered schematics
• Schematics drop in the new Testing Stations
• Install augments using the new Augmentation Station
• Augmentation unlock requirement: progress in the Crafting Specialization
• Once augmented, gear can be shared and traded

10 new Overland map locations (plus QoL changes)

To support the new mission ecosystem and story arc, the Overland map gains 10 new locations, along with visual updates and key travel/survival adjustments:

• Fuel and Water requirements removed (Overland travel is more streamlined)
• New locations support Missions, story beats, and Faction Rank contracts

5 new challenge locations (repeatable)

Five of the new locations are built specifically for repeatable mission challenges, designed to advance:

• Specializations
• Faction Ranks
• Great House Standing

5 new repeatable Testing Stations (scalable boss encounters)

Testing Stations introduce a new repeatable “boss lab” format:

• New boss-fight style encounters that push different tactics
• Repeatable runs with scaling difficulty
• Higher difficulty = better rewards

Main story continues (Chapter 3 narrative)

Chapter 3 advances the core storyline. Expect new narrative beats, including action in the Neo Carthag duelling ring, plus an unexpected alliance as you dig deeper into the mystery behind your origin.

New weapons + Rapier rework

Combat gets a meaningful shake-up:

• New weapon types
  • Pyrocket
  • Dual-Wielded Knives
• Rapier rework
  • New moveset, updated attacks, and improved defensive options

Base changes: taxes removed (simpler upkeep)

• Base Taxes removed entirely
• Upkeep is now designed to be clearer and much less disruptive
• Power requirements remain to prevent inactive bases from blocking build areas indefinitely
• Combined with the Base Reconstruction Tool, maintenance should feel far more manageable

New rewards, building pieces, and cosmetics

Chapter 3 also expands cosmetic and customization options, including:

• New vehicle variants
• New double garage doors for larger vehicles
• More armor and weapon variants (as rewards and vendor items)
• Ability to apply owned swatches to base utilities for deeper personalization
• Past Twitch Drops from Chapters 1–2 can now be purchased via the relevant vendor in Arrakeen and Harko Village, including the full Observer Building Set

Return Packages (fast re-entry tools)

For players returning after a long break, Return Packages help you rejoin the action faster without rebuilding everything from scratch. Access them directly through the escape menu.

Deep Desert changes

The Deep Desert has been adjusted for flow and traversal:

• Expanded shield wall coverage across the southern map section
• Added more ramps to make dune navigation easier for ground vehicles

Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC (cosmetics + building focus)

This DLC is primarily a construction and cosmetic bundle, aimed at players who want more variety in base building and themed gear.

DLC content list

• 74 Smuggler Building Pieces (practical + lived-in base style)
• 17 Smuggler Decorations (comfort + personality touches)
• Smuggler Light Armor Variant
• Smuggler Heavy Armor Variant
• Smuggler Stillsuit Variant
• Raider Buggy Variant
• Smuggler Karpov Rifle Variant
• Smuggler Kindjal Variant
• Emote: Scanning Horizon
• Emote: Examining Ground
• Smuggler Swatch
• And additional items beyond the core list

Quick comparison (Free Update vs DLC)