Dune Awakening Sinkchart Guide: Mastering the Map Like a Real Fremen

If you're knee-deep in the sands of Dune: Awakening and feel like you're constantly getting lost—or worse, caught off-guard in the Deep Desert—then it's time to up your game with Sinkcharts. These little-known tools are seriously underrated when it comes to navigation, exploration, and even profit in Funcom’s evolving survival MMO.

In this veteran-level guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about Dune Awakening Sinkcharts—from how to unlock them, to how to use them effectively, and even how to profit from them. Whether you're playing solo or rolling with a clan, Sinkcharts might just become your favorite item on Arrakis.

What Is a Sinkchart in Dune Awakening?

Let’s start with the basics. A Sinkchart is a special item in Dune Awakening that allows you to save the survey data of an area you've already explored and charted using a Survey Probe. Think of it as making a copy of the mini-map, including all the juicy details like resource nodes, dungeon entrances, enemy camps, and more.

While Survey Probes help populate your map in the Hagga Basin, they're pretty much useless in the Deep Desert—which is procedurally generated and resets every week. That’s where Sinkcharts shine. These charts let you create a static, sharable version of an otherwise ever-changing environment.

Why Sinkcharts Matter

Early on, players focus heavily on basic survival—gear up, farm Solari, stay alive. But as you progress, knowing where things are becomes more valuable than brute strength. Sinkcharts offer strategic advantages like:

• Mapping key locations before PvP heats up

• Helping teammates find dungeons and spice veins

• Trading for profit (yes, you can sell these!)

• Revisiting a lucrative zone without re-surveying it

Honestly, if you’re not using Sinkcharts by mid-game, you’re probably working harder—not smarter.

How to Unlock Sinkcharts

To use Sinkcharts, you’ll first need access to the Planetologist skill tree. This class isn’t unlocked by default unless you picked it at the beginning. But don’t worry—unlocking it is straightforward.

Step 1: Find Dr. Derek Chinara

Head to South Hagga Basin and look for Chinara’s Camp on the map. It appears after you’ve done at least one successful survey. Dr. Derek Chinara is your Planetologist trainer, and he's got a small quest to test your worth.

Step 2: Complete the Quest for Film Records

He’ll send you to an Imperial Testing Station, which is basically a dungeon. You’ll need to grab some Minimic Film Records from inside. Expect enemies, loot, and a few environmental puzzles.

Step 3: Unlock the Cartographer Skill

Once you turn in the quest, you’ll gain access to the Planetologist tree. Spend one skill point to unlock Cartographer, which enables you to make Sinkcharts from surveyed regions.

Where to Get Blank Sinkcharts

Having the Cartographer skill doesn’t mean much if you don’t have the actual item. To make a Sinkchart, you’ll need a Blank Sinkchart.

You can purchase them from most general vendors for about 1,500 Solari. If you're early-game and strapped for cash, hit up the Anvil Outpost—it’s the closest vendor near the start.

Pro Tip: Start stacking up Blank Sinkcharts in advance if you plan on hitting the Deep Desert. They sell fast, and the early worm gets the Solari.

How to Create a Sinkchart (Step-by-Step)

Once you’ve got your Cartographer skill unlocked and a blank Sinkchart in your inventory, it’s go time.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Open Your Map (Make sure you're in a previously surveyed zone)

2. Select the Surveyed Region you want to chart

3. Click “Make Chart”

4. Open Your Inventory – voilà, your Sinkchart is ready

You can now trade it, sell it, or give it to your crew.

Best Uses for Sinkcharts

Here’s where things get interesting. Sinkcharts are more than just a quality-of-life feature—they’re a tactical asset.

1. Map the Deep Desert

The Deep Desert is brutal—PvP enabled, procedurally generated, and filled with both riches and danger. Since it resets weekly, the best way to take advantage of it is to create a Sinkchart at the start of each new cycle.

That way, you can pre-plan your spice runs, know where the good loot is, and set traps for unwary players. Knowledge is power, especially when it’s PvP.

2. Share With Allies

Maybe your guild is new, or you’re trying to organize a group raid. Having a Sinkchart of a tricky region helps others orient themselves without spending time surveying.

Pro gamers know—coordinated movement is 90% of winning fights.

3. Sell for Profit

Here’s where things get spicy. You can sell Sinkcharts on the player Exchange—and they fetch a good price, especially ones made early in the Deep Desert cycle.

Think about it: you make one chart, hit the Exchange, and someone else forks over a few thousand Solari because they didn’t prepare.

If you want to dive into the in-game economy, this is a great starting point. Speaking of which, if you’re serious about making Solari, check out G4mmo’s solari farming strategies for Dune Awakening—solid stuff for future tycoons.

Tips for Sinkchart Success

Let’s talk meta. Here are some pro tips I’ve picked up after dozens of hours roaming the desert:

- Make Charts Early in the Week

Especially for the Deep Desert. The earlier you chart, the more valuable the data.

- Coordinate with Survey Probes

Use Probes first, then immediately make the Sinkchart. This maximizes accuracy.

- Label Your Charts

While not an official feature (yet), organizing your inventory and remembering which chart is which can save you from unnecessary backtracking.

- Use Sinkcharts as Lures

Want to set up an ambush? Share a Sinkchart of a high-traffic loot zone—then camp it.

Is It Worth It? 100% Yes.

Some players overlook Sinkcharts because they think “Why bother? I can just resurvey.” But the time and effort saved—plus the PvP edge and potential profits—make this a no-brainer for any serious explorer, raider, or trader.

In a world where the sands shift every week, preserving certainty is a weapon.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Player’s Map Tool

If you're still wandering around Arrakis without using Sinkcharts, you’re basically playing on hard mode. Whether you're a solo survivor or part of a larger House alliance, these tools give you the insight and foresight to move efficiently—and dominate more intelligently.

Dune Awakening Sinkcharts aren’t just about maps. They’re about power, preparation, and player-driven strategy. Use them well, and you’ll carve your name into the dunes long before others even know what hit them.

Now get out there, survey, chart, and conquer. The sands of Arrakis await.