"Unlock Free Metal Detector in Atomfall Early: Guide"

In the immersive world of *Atomfall*, equipping yourself with the right tools early on can significantly enhance your survival and exploration experience. One indispensable tool is the Metal Detector, which can lead you to valuable caches scattered throughout the game's expansive landscape. Here's a detailed guide on how to obtain a Metal Detector for free at the start of your journey.

How the Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

The Metal Detector is a vital asset in *Atomfall*, essential for locating metal caches brimming with useful items. As you navigate the open world, your Metal Detector will signal its proximity to a cache by displaying a tool icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. When you receive this ping, it's time to equip your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey.

The device features a row of lights that guide you towards the cache. If the lights sway to the left, adjust your direction accordingly to the left; if they sway to the right, turn right. Your goal is to keep the center light aligned until the dial beneath the lights reaches its peak frequency of 10. When all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's location. Use the 'Dig' command to unearth the cache and 'Search' to claim the items within.

Where to Find a Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

During the initial stages of your exploration in *Atomfall*, you'll encounter trader NPCs ready to barter. Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves in Slatten Dale, offers a Metal Detector in his inventory from the outset. However, its cost might be prohibitive at this early stage.

Instead, head east from Slatten Dale, navigating carefully past the 'Water Wheels' compound teeming with Outlaws. Avoiding combat early on is advisable. Continue your journey eastward and then southward until you arrive at a large, shallow pond at the coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. In the center of this pond, you'll find an Outlaw corpse resting on a rocky outcrop. Be cautious of the carnivorous leeches that infest the water.

Approach the corpse and use the 'Search' option to retrieve a fully functional Metal Detector at no cost. This early acquisition not only grants you the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement** but also provides a significant advantage in gathering free healing items, ammunition, and other loot valuable for bartering.

Moreover, using the Metal Detector can help unlock additional trophies/achievements like **'Where there's much there's brass'** (Find 10 metal detector caches) and **'Packed lunch'** (Find 5 buried lunchboxes).

This guide wraps up how you can secure a free Metal Detector early in your *Atomfall* adventure, setting you up for success in your quest to explore and survive.