Vehicles

Vehicles provide essential utility for traversing the harsh expanses of Arrakis, enabling swift traversal and cargo transport across its untamed terrain. They are a vital asset for players seeking to venture beyond the early stages of the game.

Vehicles vary in capacity and function: some are single-seated, while others can accommodate multiple players, either by design or through modifications. Certain vehicles may also be equipped with weaponry, such as rocket launchers, to enhance their combat capabilities.

Vehicles are subject to damage from environmental hazards, such as sandstorms and sandworms, as well as from hostiles, and therefore require regular maintenance to remain operational.

Overview

Ground Vehicles

Sandbike
Vehicle Type	Ground
Category	One-Man Groundcar
Minimum Tier	Copper
Crew Capacity	1-2
Overland Travel	No
Vehicle Backup	Yes

Treadwheel
Vehicle Type	Ground
Category	One-Man Groundcar
Minimum Tier	Aluminum
Crew Capacity	1-2
Overland Travel	No
Vehicle Backup	Yes

Buggy
Vehicle Type	Ground
Category	Four-Man Groundcar
Minimum Tier	Steel
Crew Capacity	3-4
Overland Travel	No
Vehicle Backup	No

Sandcrawler
Vehicle Type	Ground
Category	Sandcrawler
Minimum Tier	Plastanium
Crew Capacity	2
Overland Travel	No
Vehicle Backup	No

Aerial Vehicles

Scout Ornithopter
Vehicle Type	Aerial
Category	Light Ornithopter
Minimum Tier	Aluminum
Crew Capacity	1
Overland Travel	Yes
Vehicle Backup	Yes

Assault Ornithopter
Vehicle Type	Aerial
Category	Medium Ornithopter
Minimum Tier	Duraluminum
Crew Capacity	4
Overland Travel	Yes
Vehicle Backup	No

Carrier Ornithopter
Vehicle Type	Aerial
Category	Carryall
Minimum Tier	Plastanium
Crew Capacity	6
Overland Travel	Yes
Vehicle Backup	No

Vehicle Backup Tool

Only specific vehicles can be stored in a Vehicle Backup Tool (VBT). Specifically, only a Sandbike or a Scout Ornithopter can be stored.

A player can only store one vehicle across all VBTs at any point of time, so crafting more VBTs does not allow you to store multiple vehicles at once.

Customization

Vehicles can be customized in two ways, color (swatches) and appearance (variants).

Ground Vehicles

Travelling in a ground vehicle across the open sands attracts sandworms. Players should look out for wormsign before attempting to cross to another region.

Ground vehicles cannot be used to travel to the Overland Map.

Aerial Vehicles

Ornithopters (also known as "thopters") are an iconic aerial vehicle of the Dune universe. They feature a slim fuselage with large, folding wings that deploy to each side and "flap" up and down (instead of a rotary motion like a helicopter) to generate lift in the same manner as a bird or dragonfly.

Ornithopters have two flight modes: Dragonfly and Vulture.

As the name suggests, Dragonfly mode has the wings beating, so the vehicle can hover in place and move in any direction — forward, backward, up, down or sideways.

On the other hand, in Vulture mode, the engine powers down and the wings are set to horizontal positions, allowing the vehicle to glide and reach higher speeds than in powered flight, especially with thrusters.

All aerial vehicles can be used to travel to the Overland Map.

Trivia

• In Frank Herbert's Dune universe, ornithopters are inspired by the flapping-wing flight of both birds and insects, with a particular resemblance to dragonflies in their design and maneuverability.