—
rating
Ludopedia
8.1
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
Perfect for those who have mastered the base game and crave more strategic layers and new factions. The highlight is the political depth.
Highlights
- New factions with unique playstyles
- Leader skills add great customization
- Strongholds become more strategic
- Increases the table's political tension
Keep in mind
- Very steep learning curve
- High dependency on text translation
RECOMMENDED
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If you thought the politics of Arrakis were already treacherous, get ready, because the CHOAM & Richese expansion is here to crank up the intensity. This module expands the Dune universe by introducing two new factions that completely shift the table dynamics. First, we have CHOAM, the economic powerhouse of the Imperium. Controlling CHOAM isn't just about wealth; it's about political maneuvering to maximize dividends and, of course, skim profits from your opponents. If you enjoy pulling the financial strings of the cosmos, this faction is for you.
On the other side, we have House Richese. They are the geniuses of technology, but with a catch: they're nearly bankrupt. Playing as House Richese is an exercise in survival and ingenuity, where you must sell off your inventions to raise enough funds to stay in the fight for power, attempting to reclaim the prestige lost after being ousted from Arrakis' government. It's that 'I'm struggling, but I'm smarter than you' vibe.
But that's not all. The expansion also introduces Leader Skills, adding an extra layer of customization. You can now assign specializations to your leader discs, turning them into Mentats, Swordmasters of Ginaz, or Prana Bindu Adepts. This creates interesting combos and forces you to think more carefully about who to send on each mission. Additionally, the Advanced Stronghold Cards bring a true 'homefield advantage,' making the defense of your territories much more strategic and rewarding. Essentially, it's the perfect upgrade for those who want more tactical depth and new ways to betray their friends in the quest for spice control.
On the other side, we have House Richese. They are the geniuses of technology, but with a catch: they're nearly bankrupt. Playing as House Richese is an exercise in survival and ingenuity, where you must sell off your inventions to raise enough funds to stay in the fight for power, attempting to reclaim the prestige lost after being ousted from Arrakis' government. It's that 'I'm struggling, but I'm smarter than you' vibe.
But that's not all. The expansion also introduces Leader Skills, adding an extra layer of customization. You can now assign specializations to your leader discs, turning them into Mentats, Swordmasters of Ginaz, or Prana Bindu Adepts. This creates interesting combos and forces you to think more carefully about who to send on each mission. Additionally, the Advanced Stronghold Cards bring a true 'homefield advantage,' making the defense of your territories much more strategic and rewarding. Essentially, it's the perfect upgrade for those who want more tactical depth and new ways to betray their friends in the quest for spice control.
GALLERY
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In English
3
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4
OK
5
REC
6
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Gale Force Nine, LLC, Lavka Games
Designer
Bill Eberle, Greg Olotka, Jack Kittredge, Jack Reda, Peter Olotka
Artist
Solveig Reda
Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, absolutely! This is an expansion and cannot be played as a standalone game.
Does the game become much harder with this expansion?
The game weight is 4/5, so yes, complexity increases. New economic rules and skills require more focus.
How many players can play now?
The expansion supports 3 to 6 players, expanding the available faction options.
Does the playtime increase significantly?
Games still hover around 2 hours, but the planning phase might take a bit longer due to the new skills.
Is it worth it for someone just starting with Dune?
I recommend mastering the base game first. Save CHOAM and Richese for when you're comfortable with Arrakis' betrayal and politics.