Dune Awakening Zantara Head Contract Guide – Is It Worth Taking?

If you’ve spent any time wandering the sun-scorched wastes of Arrakis in Dune: Awakening, you’ve probably come across some odd side content. One of the strangest (and most talked about) is the Zantara's Head bounty contract. If you’re wondering whether to chase down this contract or skip it entirely, this is the definitive guide from a veteran player who’s been there, done that, and even got the ring.

What Is Zantara’s Head in Dune Awakening?

The Zantara's Head contract in Dune: Awakening is a bounty mission that tasks you with eliminating a man named Zantara and bringing back proof of the kill. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not quite. You’re offered a seemingly irresistible reward: one million Solaris. That number alone makes it tempting. But if you’re a bit skeptical, good. Because things aren’t what they seem.

This contract is tied to the main questline, particularly around the Third Trial of Aql, and involves a character who, ironically, saves your life early in the story. So, let’s break it all down.

Where Do You Find the Zantara's Head Contract?

To pick up this infamous contract, you need to head over to the Griffin Trading Outpost. If you’re still early in your playthrough, you’ll likely be nudged in that direction by one of your story missions. Be warned, though: it’s a bit of a trek if you haven’t built your sandbike yet.

Once you arrive, you’ll spot the contract board. There, along with your basic intro contract (Scrap Mettle), you’ll see Zantara's Head pop up. It looks legit, has all the details, and offers a staggering payday.

But here’s the twist: it’s essentially a joke contract.
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Is Zantara’s Head a Real Contract in Dune: Awakening?

Yes... and no.

Technically, the game allows you to accept the Zantara’s Head contract. You can even carry it in your active missions. But don’t expect blue map markers or assistance from the in-game UI. Unlike other contracts, Zantara’s Head isn’t marked or easily tracked.

In fact, the entire thing leans heavily into the game’s world-building. It’s a clever piece of narrative design that reflects the corruption and misinformation of Arrakis. The massive payout is likely a red herring meant to tempt naive players into making rash decisions.

You do meet Zantara again, around the Third Trial of Aql. At that point, you can choose to kill him. If you do, you’ll loot his ring, not his head. That’s your so-called "proof."

Deliver it to Fenring's Associate in Harko Village, and you’ll complete the contract. But here’s the kicker: you won’t receive the one million Solaris promised.

Should You Kill Zantara?

Now we’re into the real moral dilemma.

Zantara is one of the few characters in Dune: Awakening who shows you any kindness early on. He helps you survive when everything on Arrakis is actively trying to kill you. Taking this contract means betraying someone who saved your life.

From a narrative perspective, the choice is powerful. If you want to roleplay a ruthless survivor, go for it. But if you’re playing with any sense of loyalty or heart, it might be better to let Zantara live.

Plus, let’s be honest: even if the Solaris payout were real, there are better ways to make money in the game. Passive Solari farming, high-tier salvaging, and even selling gear on the market will get you farther than chasing a fake bounty.

What Happens If You Abandon the Zantara's Head Contract?

Another oddity with this mission is that you can’t restart it if you abandon it. Most contracts in Dune: Awakening are repeatable or at least trackable. Not this one.

If you dismiss it from your contract menu, it’s gone for good. And honestly? That might be a good thing. Many players regret picking it up in the first place because it clutters the interface and leads to disappointment.

This quirk further reinforces the idea that Zantara's Head is more of a world-building tool than a real contract.

The Zantara Contract and Dune Awakening's Storytelling

What makes Dune: Awakening stand out isn’t just the base-building or survival mechanics—it’s the way it immerses you in a morally complex world. The Zantara's Head bounty is a prime example.

It challenges your assumptions, tempts you with wealth, and ultimately asks you to choose between loyalty and greed. It may not be a mechanical game-changer, but it’s an emotional one.

If you’re the type of player who values story over loot, then Dune: Awakening delivers, and Zantara’s arc is proof of that.

A Word on Solaris and Alternatives

If your main goal was to cash in on the promised one million Solaris, don’t worry. You can still farm or even buy Solari safely and efficiently. For example, Duneawakeningsolari.com offers options for players who want to skip the grind without risking their accounts. Just be smart about it, as always.

Final Thoughts: Should You Take the Zantara’s Head Contract?

So, should you take the Zantara's Head bounty in Dune: Awakening?

Probably not.

• You won’t get the reward.

• You risk killing a character who helps you.

• It clutters your contract list and can’t be retried.

But if you’re roleplaying a heartless merc, then by all means, pull the trigger. Just don’t say you weren’t warned.

For most players, the Zantara contract is better left untouched. Save your bullets for the real enemies of Arrakis, and your time for bounties that pay.