"Unlock a Free Metal Detector in Atomfall Early: Guide"

If you're diving into the world of *Atomfall*, getting your hands on the best tools early can make all the difference in your survival and exploration efforts. One of the most crucial tools you'll want to acquire is the Metal Detector, which can help you uncover valuable items scattered across the game's vast landscape. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to snag a free Metal Detector early in your *Atomfall* adventure.

How 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 across the open world.

As you roam the game’s environment, you'll notice a ping from your Metal Detector indicated by a tool icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. This signal means a cache is nearby. If it's safe, quickly access your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey.

The row of lights on the detector guides you towards the hidden cache. If the lights sway to the left, you should move left; if they sway to the right, move right. Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial beneath reaches its peak frequency of 10.

When all the lights blink simultaneously, you’ve pinpointed the cache's location. Use the 'Dig' option to unearth the cache and then 'Search' it to collect the items inside.

Where to Find Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

In the initial stages of *Atomfall*, you'll encounter several trader NPCs ready to barter. Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves in Slatten Dale, offers a Metal Detector, but the price might be too high for your early-game budget.

Instead, head east towards the right side of Slatten Dale, steering clear of the 'Water Wheels' compound, which is overrun with Outlaws. Avoiding early combat is key to your survival.

Continue east and then south until you reach a large, shallow pond at coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)** on your map. You'll find an Outlaw corpse on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the pond. Be cautious, as the water is teeming with carnivorous leeches that can quickly deplete your health.

Approach the corpse and 'Search' it to find a functional Metal Detector, free for the taking. This early acquisition will earn you the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement**. Equipping yourself with a Metal Detector at this stage of the game gives you a significant advantage in gathering free healing items, ammo, and other valuable loot for bartering.

Additionally, it can help you unlock other 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 our guide on how to get a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*. Equip this tool and enhance your exploration and survival strategy from the very beginning.