Funcom is taking urgent action to clean up Dune: Awakening’s base-raiding issues with the launch of patch 1.1.20, arriving on August 12. The update removes one particularly nasty exploit where unshielded, powerless player bases in PvE areas could be attacked via NPCs, resulting in everything—walls, doors, even the crucial sub-fief console—being destroyed. Players reported being ratted out this way: lure NPCs into broken or darkened bases, and the NPCs do the rest.
Beyond that, the patch targets several griefing methods, including players exploiting structural weaknesses in Pentashield-only builds and unleashing chaos via ornithopter grief tactics. Funcom anticipates some player bases will collapse outright when the patch goes live—prompting equal parts dread and anticipation across the community.
This isn’t Funcom’s first rodeo. The developer previously had to own up to a disaster during patch 1.1.15, which unintentionally allowed PvE-to-PvP zone switches and wiped out entire bases and gear. In response, Funcom publicly apologized and set up reimbursements via the in-game reward system.
Between rampant item duplication glitches, the griefing exploit, and previous patch-induced losses, Dune: Awakening has earned a “Mixed” score on Steam. Funcom is fighting back with hotfixes, ban waves, and promises of better oversight—though trust will take time to rebuild.
