"Atomfall: Early Access to Free Metal Detector"

In *Atomfall*, getting your hands on the right tools early can make all the difference in your survival and exploration. One essential tool you'll want to grab as soon as possible is the Metal Detector, which can uncover valuable items for personal use or trading. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to secure a free Metal Detector early in your adventure.

How the Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

The Metal Detector is an indispensable tool in *Atomfall* that you'll want to hold onto throughout your journey. When equipped in your inventory, it alerts you to the presence of metal caches brimming with useful items scattered across the game's expansive world.

As you traverse the landscape, keep an eye on the bottom left corner of your screen for the Metal Detector's ping, indicated by a tool icon. When you receive this signal, if the situation permits, quickly access your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey.

The device features a row of lights that guide you towards the hidden cache. If the lights sway to the left, adjust your direction accordingly to the left. Conversely, a rightward sway indicates you should turn right.

Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial beneath it hits its peak frequency at level 10. When all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's location. Use the 'Dig' command to unearth the cache, and then 'Search' it to collect the valuable items inside.

Where to Find a Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

In the initial stages of *Atomfall*, you'll encounter various trader NPCs willing to barter. Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves within Slatten Dale, has a Metal Detector in his inventory right from the start. However, the price tag might be too high for your early-game budget.

Instead, head east towards the eastern edge of Slatten Dale. Navigate around the mountainside, avoiding the 'Water Wheels' compound teeming with Outlaws to minimize early combat.

Continue your journey east and then south until you reach a large, shallow pond at the coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. Look for an Outlaw corpse on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the pond. Be cautious of the carnivorous leeches in the water, as they can be hazardous if you stay too long.

Approach the corpse and 'Search' it to claim a fully functional Metal Detector at no cost. By doing so, you'll also unlock the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement**. Securing a Metal Detector this early in the game gives you a significant advantage, allowing you to find free healing items, ammunition, and other loot that can be used or traded.

Additionally, using the Metal Detector can help you achieve other in-game trophies/achievements, such as **'Where there's much there's brass'** (Find 10 metal detector caches) and **'Packed lunch'** (Find 5 buried lunchboxes).

This guide wraps up how to obtain a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you on the path to a more successful and rewarding gameplay experience.