In the unforgiving deserts of Dune: Awakening, survival hinges on strategy, agility, and—until now—aerial ramming from above. Funcom’s latest patch, version 1.1.0.15, finally grounds a long-standing PvP exploit where ornithopters could “goomba stomp” players—an infamous bug that turned mid-air vehicle collisions into an absurd but frustrating kill tactic.
Let’s break down exactly what was fixed, why it matters, and what this tells us about Dune: Awakening’s PvP evolution.
What Was the “Goomba Stomp” Glitch?
Imagine playing a tense PvP match, hiding behind sand dunes or scrambling for cover—only to be flattened by a low-flying ornithopter that takes no damage. Players dubbed this maneuver the “goomba stomp,” a reference to stomping Goombas in Super Mario Bros., and it became a cheap but effective tactic.
Why it was broken:
- No penalty: The vehicle took zero damage from ramming into players.
- High reward: The victim could die instantly, regardless of gear or strategy.
- Exploitability: Entire PvP encounters could be ruined by players turning air vehicles into flying anvils.
This wasn’t just a minor physics bug—it was warping the PvP meta and frustrating even seasoned players.
“Being crushed by an ornithopter with no consequence to the pilot isn’t PvP. It’s griefing.” — Reddit user feedback
Patch 1.1.0.15: Key Fixes That Grounded the Meta
Funcom’s response in Patch 1.1.0.15 was swift and direct:
Ornithopter Collision Damage Removed
- Vehicles no longer deal collision damage to players.
- This completely neutralizes the goomba-stomp exploit while preserving the role of vehicles as transportation and recon tools, not kill machines.
PvP Respawn Timers Adjusted
To further balance PvP engagements:
- First death: 70-second respawn time
- Subsequent deaths: 115-second delay
- This change discourages reckless respawn rushing and rewards tactical survivability in team fights.
Additional PvP & World Updates
- Dvyetz Ornithopter Engine Mk5 removed from loot tables to reduce late-game dominance by overpowered players.
- System messages such as service alerts now appear centrally on-screen, enhancing visibility during live events or server downtime.
- Various bug fixes and stability improvements enhance gameplay reliability during large-scale faction warfare.
Why This Patch Matters for Competitive PvP
This isn’t just a quality-of-life update—it’s a critical balancing step for Dune: Awakening’s evolving PvP ecosystem.
Real-World Example: Sand Siege Skirmishes
In faction-based skirmishes over spice fields, the goomba-stomp exploit allowed solo players to disrupt entire squads, making strategic plays meaningless. By removing this exploit, air support now returns to its intended role: transport, scouting, and intimidation—not instant kills.
Expert Insight: How Developers Are Reinforcing Fair Play
Funcom’s game director Joel Bylos acknowledged the issue on Reddit and noted the team’s commitment to player feedback. Fixing the stomp mechanic not only cleans up PvP but sends a strong message:
“We want Dune’s PvP to feel fair, competitive, and immersive—not frustratingly unpredictable.”
Expect similar patches in the near future as Dune: Awakening enters deeper phases of testing and balance refinement.
Final Thoughts: A Step Toward a Fairer, More Tactical PvP Sandbox
This patch removes one of the most ludicrous PvP loopholes in recent MMO memory. While some may miss the hilarity of stomping enemies from above, the change realigns the game with its core vision: grounded, high-stakes survival with a heavy emphasis on tactics.
Whether you’re a guild leader organizing spice runs or a solo survivor skimming the dunes, Patch 1.1.0.15 ensures the skies are no longer a threat from above—but a strategic frontier, as they were meant to be.
