Good news: Ornithopter griefers will be grounded after patch 1.1.20. Bad news: Funcom has put a stop to riding Shai Hulud.

Version 1.1.20 of Dune: Awakening is now live on the Public Test Client, bringing some of the game’s most impactful changes to date. The patch, which Funcom aims to roll out to the main servers on 12 August, 2025, introduces deadly consequences for sandworm collisions, ends the long-running ornithopter griefing tactic, and adds serious risk to previously safe flour sand farming.

The update is available now on Steam for players who join the Public Test Client, with testing expected to last for around two weeks. According to Funcom’s official announcement, the team is encouraging feedback on several specific systems before the patch goes live.

Riding the worm is no longer possible

Until now, some daring players had managed to land on, fly into, or briefly ‘ride’ the massive sandworms without consequence. That loophole is now closed, because Funcom wants to remind players that they aren't Muad'Dib.

“Colliding with the sandworm’s body during any of its animations will now result in death or vehicle destruction,” the patch notes confirm. Whether intentional or accidental, contact with a moving worm will now end in destruction, which sadly eliminates one of the game’s most infamous (and unintentional) stunts.

Ornithopter griefing finally addressed

The patch also introduces knockback on ornithopter collisions, aiming to stop a long-standing griefing tactic in PvE areas. Previously, players could pin others in place by landing on their ornithopters, often leading to their victims being stuck until a sandworm attack.

With version 1.1.20, colliding aircraft will now automatically push apart, stopping this kind of mid-air harassment. To help with testing, players on the test server will be granted a scout, assault, and carrier ornithopter, along with a top-tier buggy. These can be claimed in-game via the Claim menu after 19:00 CEST / 17:00 UTC on 30 July, but only if you already have a character created.

Flour sand farming now carries real risk

Another major, and controversial, change is the relocation of all Flour Sand and Spice Sand fields in the Hagga Basin, placing them in areas where sandworms can reach. Previously, flour sand farming was a low-stress routine: fly to a patch near rocks, gather what you needed, and get out safely.

With this update, even flour sand comes with danger, forcing players to weigh the risk of gathering basic materials like silicon against the threat of instant death. While spice farming has always been designed as high-risk, the decision to make flour sand hazardous has not gone down well with some players.

To ease early testing, sandstorms and taxation have been disabled for the first week, so players won’t have to worry about base upkeep while exploring the new mechanics.

Alongside the major fixes, Version 1.1.20 includes several quality-of-life and building improvements:

  • Deposit All Blood and Deposit/Extract All Water buttons have been added to blood purifiers and water cisterns.
  • The exchange system now includes item search and clearer categories for browsing.
  • A new Sandbike variant and Desert Mechanic Decorations are now available at the vehicle vendor.
  • Pillars can now be placed between walls, improving base-building flexibility.
  • The Solido Replicator now copies both placeables and decorations.
  • And yes, the typo on Slaver Stillsuit “Golves” has finally been corrected.

The test period is expected to run for approximately two weeks, with Funcom seeking community feedback before the patch hits live servers on 12 August. You can read the full patch notes and announcement here.