Dune: Awakening Removes Vehicle Damage in PvP, Sparking Fan Debate
▼ Summary
– Funcom patched Dune: Awakening to prevent players from taking damage when hit by vehicles, addressing griefing but not eliminating it entirely.
– Players note griefers have adapted tactics, suggesting balance changes like reducing rocket speed for scouts to improve PvP fairness.
– Ornithopters can only be countered by Tier 6 weapons, which are hard to obtain, leaving some players frustrated with ongoing annoyances.
– Dune: Awakening received an 8/10 review, praised for its worldbuilding and survival mechanics but criticized for combat and endgame issues.
– The game had a strong launch, reaching over 189,000 concurrent players on Steam and earning ‘very positive’ user reviews.
Dune: Awakening’s latest update has removed vehicle damage in PvP, a controversial change that has divided the player base. Funcom addressed complaints about griefers using helicopters to crush opponents by implementing a patch that prevents players from taking damage when hit by vehicles. While this eliminates one form of harassment, some argue it hasn’t stopped determined troublemakers from finding new ways to disrupt gameplay.
The adjustment means players won’t instantly perish from accidental sandbike crashes or deliberate Ornithopter attacks. However, critics point out that griefers have simply shifted tactics rather than abandoning their disruptive behavior entirely. Some suggest rebalancing vehicle mechanics, like reducing rocket speed for scouts or restricting certain weapons to specific classes, to encourage fairer combat dynamics.
Currently, the only reliable counters to Ornithopters are Tier 6 weapons like rocket launchers or Lasguns, which require significant progression to unlock. This leaves early-game players vulnerable to aerial harassment, even if they can’t be flattened outright. The change also removes the option to quickly dispatch NPCs by ramming them, a minor trade-off compared to the previous frustration of being instantly squished.
Despite the debate, Dune: Awakening continues to thrive, earning strong praise for its immersive survival mechanics and faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert’s universe. Our review highlighted its gripping progression system and rich worldbuilding, though noted room for improvement in combat fluidity and endgame content. The game’s launch has been impressive, with peak concurrent player counts nearing 190,000 on Steam and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
For newcomers, exploring the available classes and resource guides can ease the harsh transition into life on Arrakis. Whether this PvP tweak proves a lasting solution remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a step toward reducing some of the game’s more frustrating moments.
(Source: IGN)
