"Discover Free Metal Detector in Atomfall Early Game"

In *Atomfall*, equipping yourself with the best tools early on can significantly boost your chances of survival and exploration. One of the most valuable tools you can get your hands on is the Metal Detector, which helps you locate valuable caches scattered throughout the game's open world. Here’s your guide to securing a free Metal Detector early in your playthrough.

How Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

The Metal Detector is an indispensable tool in *Atomfall* that you'll want to hold onto throughout your journey. When equipped, it alerts you to nearby metal caches by displaying a tool icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. As you explore, you'll receive a ping from the detector, signaling the proximity of a cache.

To use it effectively, access 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, you should turn left; if they sway to the right, turn right. Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial reaches the highest frequency, marked as 10. When all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's location. Use the 'Dig' option to unearth it and then 'Search' to claim the items within.

Screenshot by The Escapist

Where to Find Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

In the initial stages of *Atomfall*, you'll encounter trader NPCs willing to barter items. For instance, Reg Stansfield in the Slate Mine Caves in Slatten Dale has a Metal Detector in his inventory from the start. However, trading for it might be beyond your means early in the game.

A better strategy is to head east from Slatten Dale, keeping to the right side. Navigate past the 'Water Wheels' compound, which is rife with Outlaws, and try to avoid combat as much as possible.

Screenshot by The Escapist

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

Search the corpse to claim your free Metal Detector. This early acquisition not only earns you the **‘Detectorist’ trophy/achievement** but also gives you a significant advantage in finding free healing items, ammo, and other loot for bartering. Additionally, using the Metal Detector can help you unlock other 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 to secure a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you on a path to a more successful and rewarding gameplay experience.