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How to Counter Griefers Using Thumper-Ornithopter Sandworm Tactics – Dune: Awakening Guide

In Dune: Awakening, griefers have found a creative but frustrating tactic—using thumpers in combination with ornithopters to intentionally summon sandworms onto unsuspecting players, even in low-risk PvE zones. This guide explains exactly how the exploit works and how to counter it, avoid it, and stay alive on Arrakis.

What Is the Thumper-Ornithopter Griefing Tactic?

Griefers use the following method:

  1. Land their ornithopter near another player or a group.
  2. Plant a thumper close by, often hidden behind terrain.
  3. Fly off before the sandworm arrives.
  4. The sandworm surfaces and kills nearby players, structures, or vehicles.

This is often done in early-game zones like Hagga Basin, where most players are not expecting worm threats.

Why This Works

  • Sandworms are attracted to vibration—thumpers are designed to summon them intentionally.
  • Players without access to worm protection or high mobility are easy targets.
  • Sandworms deal instant death if you’re caught on sand when they surface.
  • Most PvE zones are not designed for this level of threat, making it especially disruptive.

How to Recognize Thumper Griefing

Watch for these signs:

  • A random ornithopter lands nearby, especially with no obvious reason.
  • Someone plants something on the ground and leaves quickly.
  • You notice thumper audio cues (a deep rhythmic beat or rumble).
  • The ground begins to vibrate unexpectedly.

Act fast—sandworms may surface in under 20 seconds.

How to Counter Thumper-Based Griefing

1. Stay Off the Sand When You See Suspicious Activity

  • Move to rock formations, buildings, or other hard terrain.
  • If you’re on a flat sandy area, start running diagonally away from the disturbance.

2. Identify and Destroy the Thumper

  • Thumpers have a visible model that can be destroyed before they summon the worm.
  • Use ranged weapons to destroy it from a distance if possible.

3. Park Your Ornithopter Away from Sand

  • Griefers often target clusters of thopters or players near them.
  • Land on rock outcrops or elevation where worms cannot reach.

4. Use Scout Mode to Spot Hidden Thumpers

  • Toggle your scanner or scout vision if your class/gear allows it.
  • Many players hide thumpers in brush or behind dunes.

5. Report Repeat Offenders

If the same player or clan is griefing repeatedly:

  • Use the in-game report function with location and timestamp.
  • Capture clips if possible to show intent (e.g., flying in, dropping a thumper, leaving).

Funcom has acknowledged this tactic and may issue moderation actions in extreme cases.

How to Avoid Becoming a Target

  • Never idle or AFK on sand in PvP-enabled zones.
  • Travel with at least one escape plan (ornithopter, grappling line, vehicle).
  • Build near non-sand terrain if you’re in contested areas.
  • Keep audio enabled to hear incoming worm cues or thumper activity.

Proactive Defense: Bait and Reverse

For advanced players:

  • Use decoy thumpers and land in safe zones to bait griefers.
  • Let them assume you’re doing the griefing—then ambush them when they return.
  • Great in faction conflicts or when defending resource zones.