"Early Access to Free Metal Detector in Atomfall"

In *Atomfall*, equipping yourself with the right tools early on can make all the difference in your survival and exploration efforts. The Metal Detector is a crucial tool that you'll want to snag as soon as possible to uncover valuable items scattered throughout the game's expansive world. Here’s a detailed guide on how to obtain a free Metal Detector early in your journey.

How the Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

The Metal Detector in *Atomfall* is an invaluable asset that you'll want to keep with you at all times. When equipped in your inventory, it alerts you to the presence of metal caches filled with useful items as you roam the open world.

As you explore, keep an eye on the bottom left corner of your screen for the tool icon, which signals that a cache is nearby. When you get this ping, it’s time to whip out your Metal Detector using the designated hotkey, provided it's safe to do so.

The detector features a row of lights that guide you to the cache. If the light sways left, steer left; if it sways right, head right. Your goal is to follow the center light until the dial beneath it hits the highest frequency (10).

Screenshot by The Escapist

When all the lights blink simultaneously, you've pinpointed the cache's exact location. Use the 'Dig' option to unearth the cache and then 'Search' it to claim the treasures within.

Where to Find a Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

During your initial hours in *Atomfall*, you'll encounter various trader NPCs ready to barter. One such trader, Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves in Slatten Dale, offers a Metal Detector right from the start. However, the price might be too steep for your early-game budget.

Instead, head east from Slatten Dale, sticking close to the mountainside and bypassing the 'Water Wheels' compound, which is teeming with Outlaws. Avoiding combat early on is key.

Screenshot by The Escapist

Keep moving east and then south until you reach a large, shallow pond at the coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. In the middle of this pond, on a rocky outcrop, you'll find an Outlaw corpse. Be cautious, as the water is home to carnivorous leeches that can be quite troublesome.

Approach the corpse and 'Search' it to claim your free Metal Detector. Not only will you gain this essential tool, but you'll also unlock the **‘Detectorist’ trophy/achievement**. Acquiring a Metal Detector this early gives you a significant advantage, allowing you to gather free healing items, ammo, and other loot useful for bartering.

Moreover, using the Metal Detector can help you 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 to secure a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you up for a successful exploration and survival experience.