"Unlock Free Metal Detector in Atomfall: Early Guide"

In the post-apocalyptic world of *Atomfall*, acquiring the right tools early on can significantly enhance your survival and exploration experience. One of the most valuable tools you can get is the Metal Detector, which allows you to uncover hidden caches filled with useful items for your journey. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to obtain a free Metal Detector early in your *Atomfall* playthrough.

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 adventure. When equipped in your inventory, it alerts you to the presence of metal caches scattered across the game's vast open world.

As you wander the landscape, keep an eye on the bottom left corner of your screen for the Metal Detector's icon to ping. This signal indicates a nearby cache. When safe, use the designated hotkey to activate your Metal Detector.

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 below it reaches its peak frequency of 10.

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

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. One such trader, Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves in Slatten Dale, offers a Metal Detector for sale. However, the price might be prohibitive for early-game players.

A better strategy is to head east from Slatten Dale, following the mountainside and avoiding the 'Water Wheels' compound, which is teeming with Outlaws. Minimizing early combat encounters is advisable.

Keep moving east and then turn south until you reach a large, shallow pond at coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)** on your map. In the middle of this pond, you'll find an Outlaw corpse on a rocky outcrop. Be cautious of the carnivorous leeches in the water that can attack if you stay too long.

Approach the corpse and use the 'Search' option to claim a fully functional Metal Detector. This early acquisition not only grants you the **'Detectorist' trophy/achievement** but also gives you a significant edge in gathering free healing items, ammunition, and other loot essential for bartering.

Additionally, using the Metal Detector early can help you unlock other 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 secure a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you on a path to a more rewarding exploration and survival experience.