Complex Machinery in Dune Awakening is a vital crafting material used in over 25 recipes, including weapons, gear upgrades, and structure enhancements. However, unlike other materials, Complex Machinery cannot be crafted manually, which makes finding it in the open world essential for progression.
If you’re struggling to locate or farm this rare component, this guide will walk you through the most efficient ways to get Complex Machinery in Dune Awakening, including the best farming locations and tips to speed up your collection.
What Is Complex Machinery and Why You Need It
Complex Machinery is a non-craftable resource found only through looting specific structures in the world. It plays a key role in high-tier crafting recipes and upgrades, making it a bottleneck material if you don’t know where to look.
This item is primarily used in:
Advanced weapon blueprints
Gear modification upgrades
Refinery-related crafting tools
Certain utility and base components
Because of its broad usage and inability to be crafted manually, Complex Machinery is often one of the first materials players start farming consistently as they progress through the mid-game.
Best Locations to Find Complex Machinery
The most effective way to find Complex Machinery is by exploring areas that contain old industrial machines, particularly refineries and fabrication centers. Some of the best-known spots include:
1. Steelworks and Ironworks Areas
These zones are filled with old machines, rusted fabricators, and processing rigs that often contain lootable nodes. Complex Machinery can drop in stacks, and with thorough looting, you can obtain up to a dozen units from a single run.
One standout location is:
Southeast Ironworks – A popular farming zone where players frequently report successful loot runs.
2. Refinery Machinery Outposts
Search for external refinery structures in the open desert. These are often standalone rigs with no interior but contain exposed mechanical parts that can be looted.
While the exact spawn points may vary per server or biome, these locations tend to yield results:
Old fabrication centers near borderline dunes
Abandoned extractor sites
Small camps with non-hostile machines
Efficient Farming Strategy for Complex Machinery
To maximize your time and haul, follow these farming tips:
1. Use Survey Probes
Whenever you explore a new zone, activate a Survey Probe to scan the area. These devices help automatically mark lootable machinery on your map, allowing you to plan a more optimized route.
Survey Probes are essential in larger regions like Dry Dune Expanse or Cliffside Basin, where structures are more scattered.
2. Loot Everything in Machine Zones
Don’t just look for obvious machines—open every panel, check every console, and scan broken devices. Complex Machinery sometimes hides in interactive hotspots within a larger structure.
3. Farm in Rotation
Once you’ve identified a few reliable spawn areas, rotate between them every 20–30 minutes. Loot tends to respawn over time, and a loop between 3–4 zones can give you a steady supply.
4. Avoid Overcrowded Regions
If a location like Southeast Ironworks is crowded with other players, consider alternative regions. Competing for loot lowers your efficiency and could lead to wasted travel time.
Can You Craft Complex Machinery?
No, Complex Machinery is not craftable in Dune Awakening. All sources come from:
World looting (refineries, old machines)
Potential mission rewards (rarely)
This makes reliable farming routes and map knowledge even more important for players aiming to progress through mid to late game content.
Final Thoughts
Finding Complex Machinery in Dune Awakening is a necessary part of crafting and progression. Since this item is not manually craftable, players must rely on exploration and smart farming strategies to acquire enough for advanced upgrades and blueprints.
Focus your efforts on known industrial zones like Steelworks and Southeast Ironworks, always carry Survey Probes, and establish a rotation to maximize efficiency. With consistent looting and planning, you’ll never run short on this critical material as you progress through the sands of Dune Awakening.