Players of Dune: Awakening are voicing frustrations over a griefing tactic that has emerged in the newly expanded PvE zone of the Deep Desert, following the game’s latest patch (1.1.0.17). Despite Funcom’s efforts to balance gameplay by evenly splitting the endgame zone between PvE and PvP, some players are now abusing the game’s collision mechanics in a way that disrupts the core harvesting gameplay loop.
🚁 PvE Expansion Brings Unexpected Trouble
In the latest update, Funcom reshaped the Deep Desert, the final map of Dune: Awakening, into a fair 50/50 split between PvE and PvP layers. This was done by converting five and a half of the map’s nine horizontal layers into PvE-only zones. The change was meant to create a safer space for players focused on PvE content like Spice harvesting—but instead, it opened the door to a new form of trolling.
🎯 The Griefing Method
One Reddit user, xxTRYxxHARDxx, recently posted about their experience with griefers abusing the PvE ruleset. These trolls reportedly fly Scout Ornithopters in large groups to target Carrier Ornithopters returning from spice runs. Using their faster speed and lighter frames, they slam into the Carrier, exploiting the game’s collision system to force it to land.
Once grounded, the Carrier—laden with spice and unable to lift off due to the pile-on—becomes easy prey for the Sandworm. Scout pilots, unhindered by heavy cargo, then easily escape, leaving the victim to lose their harvest to Arrakis’s deadliest predator.
“They’re not even fighting. They’re just griefing under the guise of PvE. It’s not PvP, and it’s not fair,” said one commenter responding to the post.
🐛 Exploit or Emergent Gameplay?
The debate is ongoing in the community as to whether this counts as a legitimate tactic or a griefing exploit. Since direct PvP is disabled in the PvE zone, griefers instead weaponize physics and environmental dangers—an approach that some see as creative, while others label it toxic.
🔧 Developer Silence
So far, Funcom has yet to comment on the specific abuse of collision mechanics in PvE areas. While patch 1.1.0.17 was designed to increase accessibility for non-PvP players, the current griefing trend undermines that vision. Calls for changes include collision immunity in PvE, Sandworm reprioritization, or stricter no-fly zone rules around harvesting vehicles.
Dune: Awakening’s ambition to deliver an immersive Arrakis experience is currently being tested not by gameplay balance, but by player behavior. As griefers continue to hijack mechanics intended for survival gameplay, many in the community are calling for urgent intervention. Whether Funcom will adjust its systems—or allow the harsh sands to be policed by players themselves—remains to be seen.