You've spent hours gathering iron and copper, dodging sandstorms, and trying not to get eaten by a worm. Then you hit the mid-game wall. Suddenly, every blueprint you actually care about—from that shiny new Sandbike to the essential Suspensor Belt—demands a Holtzman Actuator.
If you're staring at your crafting bench wondering why you don't have any, you aren't alone. Arrakis doesn't just hand these things out. Honestly, finding them is less about luck and more about knowing exactly which scrap heaps to kick.
The Holtzman Actuator is the literal backbone of advanced tech in Dune: Awakening. It’s a component that utilizes the "Holtzman Effect"—the same fictional physics that allows for shields, glowglobes, and fold-space travel. In-game, it’s a Tier 1 (and eventually Tier 6 for the "Improved" version) component that you’ll need for basically anything that defies gravity or moves fast.
Where to find Holtzman Actuators without losing your mind
Most players make the mistake of just looting random chests in scavenger camps. Sure, you might find one or two actuators that way, but it’s a slow, painful grind. If you want to build a fleet, you need a better plan.
The Hagga Rift Strategy
This is the gold mine. If you head to the northeast side of the map, specifically the Hagga Rift area, you’ll find a canyon littered with broken and fallen Ornithopters. These aren't just for decoration.
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Pull out your Cutteray.
When you salvage these downed Ornithopters, you aren't just getting scrap metal. You are harvesting high-grade components. A single run through the rift can net you anywhere from 60 to 280 Holtzman Actuators depending on how many wrecks are currently spawned. It’s the single most efficient farm discovered so far.
Scrapping and Recycling
Got a bunch of old vehicle parts or Mark 3 shields gathering dust? Don't let them sit there. You can break down certain vehicle parts in the Recycler to get Actuators back. It’s a bit of a "tax" on your resources, but when you're desperate for that last component to finish a build, it's a lifesaver.
- Looting Wrecks: Look for CHOAM facilities or testing stations.
- Salvaging: Use the Cutteray on any downed ship you see in the open sand.
- Vendors: If you have more Solaris than sense, you can buy them at major Trade Posts, but they are expensive.
- Landsraad Rewards: Higher-tier versions often come as rewards for political favors.
The leap to Improved Holtzman Actuators
Once you move into the Deep Desert and start eyeing "Plastanium" tier gear, the basic Actuator won't cut it anymore. You’ll need the Improved Holtzman Actuator.
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This is a Tier 6 component. You can find these in the Deep Desert or as Landsraad rewards, but eventually, you’re going to have to craft them yourself in an Advanced Survival Fabricator.
To make one Improved version, you typically need:
- 3x Holtzman Actuators (the basic ones)
- 2x Plasteel Plates
- 1x Cobalt Paste
- 50mL of Water
It takes about three seconds to craft, but the resource chain behind it is massive. You’ll be using these for Mk6 Thrusters, Sandbike Boosters, and heavy-duty combat gadgets. Basically, if it’s "end-game," it has a Holtzman component in it.
Common mistakes and farming tips
Don't just run into the Hagga Rift at night without a plan. The enemies there can be nasty if you're under-geared. Also, keep an eye on your inventory weight. Actuators have a volume of 0.1V and they stack up to 500.
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That sounds small. It’s not.
When you’re salvaging five Ornithopters and coming away with 300 Actuators plus a mountain of scrap metal, you will get encumbered fast. A lot of veteran players recommend dropping the scrap metal entirely. It’s heavy, common, and you can get it anywhere. Save your bag space for the Actuators.
If you are a solo player, keep an eye on the sky. Occasionally, ships will explode and crash in the open desert. These are random events, but they are essentially "treasure chests" full of Actuators. Just be careful—the sound of a crashing ship is like a dinner bell for Sandworms and nearby PvP players.
What should you build first?
If you've just secured your first 20-30 Actuators, don't waste them on cosmetic upgrades. Your priority should be:
- The Sandbike Booster: Getting across the desert faster is the best way to survive.
- Suspensor Belt: Essential for verticality and avoiding fall damage.
- Personal Shield: Because eventually, someone is going to shoot at you.
Arrakis is a brutal teacher. If you don't have the tech to keep up, the desert will take you back. Start your farming runs early, keep your Cutteray charged, and always prioritize the Hagga Rift for your component needs.
To stay ahead of the crafting curve, make it a habit to scan every wreckage you encounter while traveling between objectives. Even the smaller scavenger camps often hide a single Actuator in a "testing station" crate that most people run right past. Once you have a steady supply, the transition from a desert rat to a high-tech survivor becomes a lot smoother.