If you're diving into Dune: Awakening like me, you've probably been overwhelmed by the number of skill trees and the many perk options they offer. There are just so many choices, and with a 200 skill point cap, it’s tricky to figure out where to spend them. Some perks are great, while others don’t really deliver. I’ve taken the time to test every single one of them so you don’t have to. Let’s break down which perks are actually worth your points and which ones should be avoided.
Assassination Perks: Poison and Crowd Control
Poison Capsule
The Poison Capsule perk is decent for certain situations. It's useful because you can throw it wherever you want, which gives it a bit of flexibility. However, the Poison Mine is a different story. If enemies trigger it, they’re often far enough away that they won’t take damage. In PvP, this perk is pretty lackluster.
Poison Tooth
Don’t be fooled by Poison Tooth. It sounds like it would allow you to deal damage while downed, but it’s actually a trap. When you’re down, you can’t trigger it unless you self-destruct. Even then, it releases a weak poison burst that doesn’t do much damage. Avoid this one.
Gravity Mine & Anti-Gravity Mine
The Gravity Mine drains power like it’s supposed to, but the Anti-Gravity Mine has a neat little trick: when enemies are caught in it, they can’t use their abilities. It’s perfect for locking down opponents who don’t have a mobility skill like Grapple or Trooper Suspenser Dash. Just note, they can still shoot at you, so be cautious.
Shield Wall
The Shield Wall perk is pretty solid. It’s tough and doesn’t drain your battery while it’s active, but don’t hide behind it in PvP. A smart player will just aim for your feet, knowing you’re hiding behind the tiny shield.
Celledo Decoy
This one is very situational. If you want a Loki-style decoy, it could be fun, but it’s not very impactful in most situations.
Iron Will
This perk is misleading. It resists any Benade's voice commands, including all the Ben Jesuit powers. Don’t worry about the lore that says it only works against lesser practitioners—it works on all voice commands. However, it requires stamina to activate and has a cooldown, so it’s not completely free in PvP, but it’s a useful counter to Ben Jesuit abilities.
Hunter Seeker and Damage Perks
Hunter Seeker
The Hunter Seeker does a massive amount of damage, but there’s a catch. PvP players receive a 40% damage reduction, so it's tricky to gauge its true effectiveness. The damage type is also unclear—sometimes it feels like it’s pure physical, but it’s hard to tell. If you want to use it, just be prepared for an intense, but somewhat unpredictable, damage hit.
Assassin Shot
Assassin Shot adds a 15% damage boost, and it works just like other damage perks. It’s simple and effective, though it’s not groundbreaking.
Backshot
This one is a little tricky. You need to shoot from behind your target in a specific cone for it to work. While it could be useful in PvE, it’s nearly impossible to use in PvP, unless the enemy is standing still and you’re lucky enough to be in the right spot.
Headshot Damage Passive
If you’re aiming for headshots, this passive gives you another 15% damage boost. It stacks with other damage perks like Marksman, which is a nice bonus for players who can land consistent headshots.
Marksman
Marksman sounds good on paper, but it’s a little buggy. It promises a 20% increase to headshot damage, but it’s currently giving closer to 16-17% in practice. It seems like a bug, but when it works, it’s useful.
Range Damage
Just like Trooper’s range perks, Mentat’s range damage works together. You’ll get 9% range damage from each, for a total of 18%, which is a decent boost for long-range weapons. However, remember that all your damage bonuses are additive—they don’t stack in any crazy way. It’s just more consistent damage overall.
Other Damage-Related Perks
Pistol Damage
This perk works on all sidearms, such as the Snubnose and Disruptor, giving you a solid boost to pistol damage. It does what it’s supposed to, no surprises here.
Rifle Damage
Rifle Damage perks work with specific weapons like the Jabal Spit Dart and the Karpov, but there’s one important note: it does not increase the poison damage caused by the Spit Dart’s status effect. This is a huge point of confusion for many players, so keep that in mind if you plan to use the Spit Dart in PvP.
Exploit Weakness
This perk is a bit of a letdown. While it sounds great, allowing you to hit a weak spot for a 30% damage boost, the hitbox is super finicky. It’s inconsistent, and you can’t choose where the weak spot appears. The perk seems random, and if the weak spot spawns somewhere inconvenient, like on an enemy’s toe or behind cover, it’s not going to do much for you.
Shield Overcharge
Shield Overcharge sounds like it could be an absolute game-changer, but it’s not as powerful as it seems. It drains an enemy’s shield power faster, but it only adds a 30% bonus to the power drain rather than an instant power nuke. It’s still useful in PvP, but don’t expect any crazy numbers here.
Source of Power
Now, Source of Power is a game-changer. When placed, it provides maximum power to you and all nearby allies, keeping your shields topped up indefinitely. If you’re in a tough fight and need to recover your shields quickly, this perk is a lifesaver. It’s a solid panic button for high-stress situations.
Garment Keeper
Garment Keeper is another armor perk, but its effect is subtle. It reduces armor durability loss over time, which isn’t noticeable unless you’re consistently taking damage. If you’re using unique armor, this perk can be very useful, but for standard armor, it’s probably not worth the points.
Final Thoughts: Is Mentat Overhyped?
In conclusion, Mentat feels a bit overhyped compared to other skill trees in Dune: Awakening. While the Jabal Spit Dart fans might argue it’s a game-changer, there are other trees that seem to have more impactful perks overall. Still, Mentat offers a decent mix of damage boosts, crowd control, and ability resistance that could be useful depending on your playstyle.
For those looking for strong damage perks and ways to deal with Ben Jesuit abilities, Mentat is worth considering, but if you’re looking for more versatile, game-changing perks, you might want to look elsewhere.
Conclusion
In the end, Mentat in Dune: Awakening offers a solid mix of perks, but they’re not as game-changing as some of the other skill trees. If you enjoy using Jabal Spit Dart and want to focus on damage bonuses and ability resistance, then Mentat is a good choice. However, many of the perks feel more niche or less impactful in PvP, especially those that involve random weak spots or situational abilities. Ultimately, the effectiveness of Mentat depends on your playstyle, but it may not be the most versatile option out there.
FAQ
Q: Which Mentat perk should I focus on for PvP?
A: The Hunter Seeker for damage and Iron Will for resisting Ben Jesuit voice commands are great choices for PvP. The Anti-Gravity Mine is also useful if you’re facing opponents without mobility skills.
Q: Does Assassin Shot work for both PvE and PvP?
A: Yes, but it’s easier to use in PvE. For PvP, it’s hard to consistently land hits from behind unless the enemy is standing still.
Q: Does Source of Power help in group fights?
A: Absolutely. It ensures that your shields and your allies’ shields stay topped up, making it a great support perk in team-based combat.
Q: Is Garment Keeper worth using?
A: It’s useful for unique armor since it reduces durability loss, but for basic armor, it’s not as impactful.
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