Surviving the harsh deserts of Arrakis in Dune: Awakening means mastering one crucial skill: managing your carry weight. Whether you’re hauling precious spice, scavenging rare minerals, or stocking up on life-saving water, hitting your inventory limit too soon can spell disaster. Unlike other survival games, Dune: Awakening doesn’t let you magically increase your personal carrying capacity through skills or perks—at least not yet. But don’t worry, there are clever ways to work around this limitation and ensure you’re never left stranded in the dunes with pockets full of loot and no way to move.
Your character starts with a fixed carry capacity: 35 inventory slots and a weight limit of 175 “volume.” Early on, this might feel like plenty, but as you gather heavier resources like ores or bulkier gear, you’ll quickly realize how restrictive it is. Over-encumbrance slows you down, making you an easy target for sandworms or enemy players. Worse, you can’t just dump items mid-crisis if you’re already under attack.
The game’s developers have confirmed there are no direct ways to increase your personal carry weight through stats, skills, or microtransactions. Instead, you’ll need to rely on strategy, efficient inventory management, and—most importantly—vehicles.
The Power of Vehicles
Vehicles aren’t just for traversing Arrakis quickly; they’re your mobile storage solution. Each vehicle type offers different storage upgrades, turning them into essential tools for resource runs. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Sandbike – Your Early-Game Lifesaver
The Sandbike is the first vehicle you’ll unlock, and while its base storage is minimal, the Sandbike Inventory MK2 upgrade boosts its capacity to 250 volume—more than your personal limit. This makes it perfect for early-game mining trips, especially when collecting iron ore. Just remember: you can’t store the Sandbike in your Vehicle Backup Tool if its inventory isn’t empty. - Buggy – The Heavy Hauler
Once you reach the Steel tier, the Buggy becomes your best friend. With the Buggy Storage MK3 upgrade, it can carry a staggering 1,500 volume—almost ten times your personal limit. Later upgrades push this to 2,000 and even 3,000 volume, making it ideal for deep-desert expeditions where resources are abundant but danger lurks everywhere. - Ornithopters – Sky-High Storage
For aerial mobility and decent storage, Scout and Assault Ornithopters are key. The Scout Ornithopter Storage MK4 holds 500 volume, while the Assault Ornithopter Storage MK5 doubles that to 1,000. These are perfect for quick, safe transport across long distances, though they lack the raw capacity of the Buggy.
Smart Inventory Management
Since you can’t increase your personal carry weight, optimizing what you carry is critical. Here’s how to stretch those 35 slots:
- Stack Whenever Possible – Resources like ores, spice, and crafting materials often stack, saving precious slots. Always prioritize stacking over scattering items.
- Ditch Non-Essentials – If you’re nearing your limit, drop low-value items like excess food or common minerals. Focus on what’s needed for immediate crafting or survival.
- Use Consumables Wisely – Instead of hoarding raw food or water, consume them on the spot to free up space.
- Base Storage is Key – Regularly deposit unused materials in your base storage. There’s no point lugging around items you won’t need for your current mission.
Future Possibilities
While the current system relies heavily on vehicles, future updates might introduce new ways to expand personal carry capacity. Some players speculate that specialized backpacks, faction perks, or high-tier armor could eventually offer minor boosts. For now, though, vehicles remain the undisputed kings of storage.
