Dune Awakening Patch: PvE DD & Ornithopter Nerfs
Time: 2025-06-26 by mmojugg Game: Dune Awakening Guide Tags: Dune Awakening Patch
The desert of Arrakis just got a lot more welcoming for solo players and PvE enthusiasts. Funcom's latest update for Dune: Awakening, Patch 1.1.0.17, dropped faster than a sandworm chasing spice, delivering a massive overhaul to the Deep Desert, nerfs to Scout Ornithopters, and quality-of-life fixes that make surviving Arrakis a bit smoother. Whether you're a lone wanderer or a guild leader, this patch shakes up the endgame in exciting ways. Curious about what's new? Stick with us as we break down the changes, offer tips, and help you navigate the shifting sands. For more Dune: Awakening guides and to browse our Solari and items shop—packed with materials and vehicles—bookmark MMOJUGG for all your Arrakis adventures.
Deep Desert PvE: A Haven for Solo Players
The biggest headline of Patch 1.1.0.17 is the transformation of the Deep Desert. Previously a cutthroat PvP zone, the southern half (rows A to mid-E) is now a PvE paradise. This change opens up endgame content, such as Imperial Testing Stations and caves, to players who want to avoid PvP chaos. You can now farm resources like Titanium and Stravidium without worrying about a rocket-armed Ornithopter swooping in. However, Control Points and Shipwrecks remain PvP hotspots, even in PvE zones, similar to Hagga Basin's setup.
To maintain the risk-reward balance, Funcom adjusted the resource distribution. The northern Deep Desert, still PvP territory, boasts higher-density clusters of valuable materials like Titanium, Stravidium, and Plasteel Plates (exclusive to PvP zones). Larger spice fields also spawn up north, tempting players to venture into riskier territory. In PvE areas, loot is shared, with each player guaranteed at least one schematic per drop. In contrast, PvP zones offer 2–6 schematics on a first-come, first-served basis, rewarding daring players with rarer finds.
Pro Tip: If you're a solo player, stick to rows D and E for Titanium and Stravidium farming. The density might be lower than in PvP zones, but you can gather safely. Equip Softstep Boots to reduce sandworm aggro, and use an Ornithopter with a scanner module to locate buried treasure caches for rare materials.
Ornithopter Nerfs: Grounding the Air Superiority Meta
Scout Ornithopters, once the terror of the Deep Desert with their “goomba stomping” and rocket spam, have been rebalanced. Patch 1.1.0.17 introduces two key changes:
Rocket Launcher Penalty: Equipping a Rocket Launcher Module now reduces top speed by 20% for Scout Ornithopters and 10% for Assault Ornithopters. This makes rocket-equipped 'thopters less nimble, giving ground players a better chance to evade or counterattack.
Mid-Air Exit Fix: Exiting an Ornithopter mid-flight no longer sends it gliding into the horizon. Instead, it drops straight down, reducing the risk of losing your vehicle to a disconnect or accidental exit. Note: If your 'thopter lands in quicksand, you may need to climb on top to interact with it—a bug Funcom plans to fix in the next patch.
These changes level the playing field, especially for infantry. A new Tier 5 Infantry Rocket Launcher is also in the works to counter airborne threats, further balancing combined arms combat. If you're piloting an Ornithopter, consider swapping rockets for a thruster module to maintain speed and escape PvP pursuers.
Pro Tip: For PvE farming, use a Scout Ornithopter with a large inventory module instead of rockets. The speed penalty won't apply, and you'll match the glide speed of Assault Ornithopters, making resource runs safer and more efficient.
Landsraad and Endgame Progression
The Landsraad system, a core endgame mechanic for both PvE and PvP, is getting attention in this patch. While specific changes are still being rolled out, Funcom has emphasised making progression more accessible for solo players and smaller guilds. The PvE Deep Desert zones now support meaningful progression, ensuring you don't need to join a massive guild to enjoy endgame content. However, some schematics (like the 94 Plastinium product schematics) are exclusive to PvP Imperial Testing Stations, so trading via the player Exchange may be necessary for PvE players.
Pro Tip: Check the Exchange regularly for PvP-exclusive schematics. If you're short on Solari, focus on farming PvE Testing Stations, as their loot rotates weekly, giving you a shot at rare items over time.
Quality-of-Life and Stability Improvements
Patch 1.1.0.17 isn't just about gameplay balance—it's packed with fixes to make Arrakis less frustrating:
Sietch Freedom: You can now claim land in any sietch, not just your home sietch, allowing more flexibility in building bases.
Combat Fix: Melee attacks no longer get stuck on corpses, smoothing out close-quarters combat.
Travel Fix: Using the Ornithopter pilot service from cities to Hagga Basin no longer risks losing your vehicle.
Emote Preservation: Respeccing your skill tree won't wipe learned emotes.
Stability Boosts: Exploits like Ornithopter theft and infinite loading screens have been patched, alongside fixes for Deep Desert server border crashes.
Funcom has also added a Player Reporting feature for chat and player interactions, aiming to clamp down on toxic behaviour and hacking attempts.
Pro Tip: If you're building a new base in a sietch, scout the area first with an Ornithopter to avoid PvP Control Points. Save your Solari for high-value blueprints on the Exchange to skip risky PvP runs.
Resource and Loot Adjustments
To balance PvE and PvP rewards, Funcom made these tweaks:
- Medium spice fields reduced from 8 to 5, while small fields increased from 20 to 22.
- Titanium and Stravidium spawn rates in PvE zones are lower, with a 45-minute respawn timer (up from 30 minutes).
- Resource hotspot nodes in PvE areas have been reduced, pushing high-yield farming to PvP zones.
These changes encourage strategic planning. PvE players can still gather enough resources for crafting, but PvP players will reap bigger rewards for the added risk.
Pro Tip: Time your PvE resource runs to avoid peak server hours when PvP players might encroach on Control Points. Stockpile Solari to buy Plasteel Plates from the Exchange if you're avoiding PvP.
FAQs About Dune: Awakening Patch 1.1.0.17
What parts of the Deep Desert are now PvE?
The southern half (rows A to mid-E) is now PvE, including Imperial Testing Stations and caves. Control Points and Shipwrecks remain PvP.
How do the Ornithopter nerfs affect gameplay?
Rocket-equipped Scout Ornithopters lose 20% speed, and Assault Ornithopters lose 10%. Exiting mid-air makes them drop straight down, reducing vehicle loss.
Can PvE players access all schematics?
No, some schematics (like Plasteel Plates) are PvP-exclusive. Use the player Exchange to trade for these or wait for weekly loot rotations.
How do I safely farm resources in PvE zones?
Use Softstep Boots to avoid sandworms and an Ornithopter with a scanner module to find buried treasure. Stick to rows D and E for Titanium and Stravidium.
What is the best way to utilise the new sietch land claim feature?
Scout sietches with an Ornithopter to avoid PvP areas, then claim land in a PvE-friendly sietch for safe base-building.
Thanks for Reading
Patch 1.1.0.17 makes Dune: Awakening more accessible and balanced, whether you're dodging sandworms solo or battling for spice in PvP. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for the latest guides and updates to conquer Arrakis
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