"Unlock Free Metal Detector in Atomfall Early: Guide"

When diving into the world of *Atomfall*, securing the best tools early can significantly enhance your survival and exploration experience. A key tool to get your hands on is the Metal Detector, which is crucial for locating valuable items to use or trade. Here's how you can obtain one for free early in your journey.

How Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

The Metal Detector is an invaluable tool in *Atomfall* that you'll want to keep at all costs. It helps you locate metal caches filled with useful items spread across the game's vast open world.

As you explore, keep an eye on the bottom left corner of your screen for a ping from the Metal Detector, indicated by a tool icon. When you see this, if it's safe, pull out your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey.

The detector features a row of lights that guide you toward the hidden cache. If the light moves to the left, turn left; if it shifts to the right, turn right. Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial below the lights hits the highest frequency (10).

Screenshot by The Escapist

Once all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's exact location. Use the 'Dig' option to unearth the cache, then 'Search' it to claim the items inside.

Where to Find Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

In your initial hours of exploring *Atomfall*, you'll encounter trader NPCs willing to barter. Reg Stansfield in the Slate Mine Caves at Slatten Dale offers a Metal Detector, but it's likely out of your budget early on.

Instead, head east towards the right side of Slatten Dale. Navigate past the 'Water Wheels' compound, teeming with Outlaws, to minimize early combat.

Screenshot by The Escapist

Continue east then south until you reach a shallow pond at coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. Look for an Outlaw corpse on a rocky outcrop in the pond's center. Be wary of the carnivorous leeches in the water that can harm you if you stay too long.

Approach the corpse and 'Search' it to acquire a functional Metal Detector for free. This early acquisition earns you the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement**. Having a Metal Detector at this stage gives you a significant advantage in finding free healing items, ammo, and other loot useful for bartering.

It can also aid in unlocking additional trophies/achievements like **'Where there's much there's brass'** (Find 10 metal detector caches) and **'Packed lunch'** (Find 5 buried lunchboxes).

That wraps up how to secure a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you up for a successful adventure.