In the immersive world of *Atomfall*, getting your hands on essential tools like the Metal Detector early on can significantly boost your chances of survival and success. This guide will show you how to acquire a free Metal Detector at the beginning of your journey, enhancing your ability to find valuable items for use and trade.
How the Metal Detector Works in Atomfall
Screenshot by The Escapist The Metal Detector is an indispensable tool in *Atomfall* that you'll want to keep in your inventory at all times. It's designed to detect metal caches filled with useful items scattered throughout the game's expansive world.
As you venture through the landscape, your Metal Detector will occasionally ping, indicated by a tool icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. This signal means a cache is nearby. When it's safe, activate your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey.
The device features a row of lights that guide you toward the cache. If the lights sway to the left, you should turn left; if they sway to the right, turn right. Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial beneath the lights reaches its peak frequency of 10.
Screenshot by The Escapist When all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's location. Use the 'Dig' option to unearth the cache, then 'Search' it to claim the items inside.
Where to Find a Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall
Screenshot by The Escapist In the initial stages of *Atomfall*, you'll encounter various trader NPCs willing to barter. Reg Stansfield in the Slate Mine Caves of Slatten Dale has a Metal Detector available, but trading for it early on might be beyond your means.
Instead, head east from Slatten Dale, staying close to the mountainside and avoiding the 'Water Wheels' compound, which is teeming with Outlaws. Minimizing early combat is key to your survival.
Screenshot by The Escapist Keep moving east and then south until you reach a large, shallow pond at coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. In the middle of this pond, on a rocky outcrop, you'll find an Outlaw corpse. Be cautious, as the water is home to aggressive leeches that can harm you if you stay too long.
Approach the corpse and 'Search' it to discover a functional Metal Detector, yours for free. This early acquisition not only earns you the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement** but also gives you a significant advantage in gathering free healing items, ammo, and other loot useful for bartering.
Moreover, using the Metal Detector can help you unlock additional trophies/achievements, such as **'Where there's much there's brass'** (Find 10 metal detector caches) and **'Packed lunch'** (Find 5 buried lunchboxes).
With this guide, you're now equipped to find a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you up for a more rewarding and successful gameplay experience.
