The Deep Desert in Dune: Awakening is full of danger, and not just from sandworms. If you’re a solo PvE player just out for some spice, enemy Ornithopters can quickly turn your farming run into a flaming wreck.
But good news: You can fly smart and stay safe using a few proven techniques inspired by real-world flight training. Here’s how to dodge PvP intercepts and make it back to base in one piece.
A big shoutout to Reddit user for sharing their real-life military instructor pilot tips! You can check out the original post here:
Stay Fast – Glide Like a Pro
Speed is life. Always fly at your max glide speed, this is where you’re safest. Enter Vulture glide mode by holding Shift and centering your cursor on the little ^ carrot symbol on the horizon display. Here are some additional tips:
- For aluminum wings, that sweet spot is around 162 speed.
- Glide mode is not only fuel-efficient, it also makes you harder to catch.
- Avoid powered flight if possible. It’s slower and makes you an easy target.
Practice entering Vulture mode smoothly. You can drop as little as 80 ft of altitude if you time it right. Do it well, and most interceptors won’t even get close.
Stay High – Use Altitude as a Shield
Altitude gives you options. If you’re heading into a risky zone, go in with altitude to spare. Being both higher and faster than a pursuer puts you in total control:
- Need to climb? Use a “zoom climb”: pull your nose up ~20° to trade speed for height.
- You stay fast while gaining altitude, which is way better than using slow powered climbs.
- You don’t need to go back to max height (like 750). Just enough to glide to safety is sufficient.
If your enemy tries to follow, they’ll climb slower and fall behind.
Fly Straight – Don’t Help Your Pursuer
In a panic, it’s tempting to start turning or dodging. But don’t. You’ll only make it easier for them:
- Fly straight and level at max glide speed.
- Turning allows interceptors to cut inside your turn and close the distance.
- Even if rockets are flying your way, it’s often safer to stay straight and fast than to juke and lose speed.
Only maneuver if absolutely necessary, and even then, do it gently.
Bonus Tips for Staying Alive
- Know your route before you fly into dangerous zones.
- Scout with height before diving into a new area. See if the coast is clear.
- Don’t hoard spice too long. Better to bank smaller runs than risk a big loss.
- Keep your fuel topped up so you never get stuck at low altitude.
Dune: Awakening’s flight system might not be a sim, but the way Ornithopters behave rewards real flying skills. Practice these habits, stay smooth and smart in the sky, and you’ll leave your would-be attackers in the dust.
And for more tips, you can also check out our latest news!
