# Dune: Ecaz & Moritani ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2023 - **BGG Rating**: 8.6 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 6) - **Duration**: 120-180 min - **Weight**: 4.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Jack Reda - **Artists**: Lochen Reda, Solveig Reda - **Publishers**: Gale Force Nine, LLC, Lavka Games - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Science Fiction - **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence ## Verdict If you love Dune and crave more drama and strategy, this expansion is your next step.Strategic AlliancesDirect ConflictsNew MechanicsExpandable TerritoryLonger playtimeModerate complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Dune: Ecaz & Moritani adds a fresh layer of intrigue and strategy to the already epic universe of Dune: The Board Game. The expansion introduces two rival houses – House Ecaz, led by the diplomatic Archduke Armand Ecaz, who seeks solid alliances, and House Moritani, commanded by Viscount Hundro Moritani, who won’t shy away from terror tactics – and brings mechanics that deepen player interaction.\n\nThe Homeworlds mechanic allows each faction to raid the home planets of others, disrupting advantages and adding tension each turn. Nexus Cards offer unique rewards for those who choose not to join an alliance, encouraging risk-taking and long‑term strategic choices. Discovery Tokens unveil board areas that often stay in the background, adding new resources and territory expansion opportunities.\n\nThe game remains true to Dune’s style, with themes of politics, economy, and power, but now with more diplomacy and direct conflict options. Playtime stays between 120 and 180 minutes, preserving a balance of depth and accessibility. If you loved the base game and want to dive deeper into Arrakis’s universe, this expansion delivers new strategies and replayability felt in every session.\n\nFor fans of influence and greater territory control, Dune: Ecaz & Moritani offers new ways to dominate the board while alliance mechanics stay central. If you enjoy tactical decisions and a rich narrative setting, you’ll relish these new challenges. ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Dune: Ecaz & Moritani, players take on the roles of two rival factions, House Ecaz and House Moritani, in a struggle for power and dominance. The game revolves around conquest, diplomacy, and betrayal, as players aim to control key territories and strongholds on Arrakis. The primary goal is to secure victory by controlling three strongholds or by forming alliances that allow co-occupation of strongholds. Players must carefully balance their forces between attacking enemies and defending their own territories. Preparation (Setup) Before starting the game, follow these steps: Add the Ecaz and Moritani faction sets to your existing faction sets. Each set includes: 1x Player Shield 1x Player Sheet 1x Player Marker 5x Leader Discs 20x Forces 2x Alliance Cards Ecaz receives 11 Ambassador tokens, while Moritani receives 6 Terror tokens and 1 Atomics Aftermath token. Add the new Traitor Cards, Prediction Cards, Treachery Cards, and Spice Cards to their respective decks. Place the Discovery tokens and Homeworld tokens as per the variant rules if using them. Each faction sets up their forces: Ecaz starts with 6 forces in the Imperial Basin, while Moritani places 6 forces in any unoccupied territory. Both factions have 14 forces in reserves and start with 12 spice. Consult the manual for details on this section. Flow of the Game The game progresses through a series of turns, each consisting of several phases: Spice Blow and Nexus Phase: Spice is collected, and alliances may be formed or broken. Shipping and Movement Phase: Players move their forces across the board and ship reserves to Arrakis. Battle Phase: Conflicts are resolved in territories where opposing forces meet. Revival Phase: Players revive lost forces and leaders. Mentat Pause: Special abilities, such as placing Terror tokens or Ambassadors, are activated. Consult the manual for details on this section. Actions and How to Play Players can perform various actions during the game: Moritani Actions: Terrorize: Place or move Terror tokens in strongholds to sabotage opponents. Assassinate Leaders: Kill opposing leaders and collect spice. Enemy of My Enemy: Form alliances by offering to cancel Terror token effects. Ecaz Actions: Ambassadors: Place Ambassador tokens in strongholds to trigger effects when other factions enter. Occupy: Share strongholds with allies and combine forces in battles. Loyalty: Set aside a Traitor Card at the start of the game. Consult the manual for details on this section. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a faction or alliance controls three strongholds. If Ecaz and their ally co-occupy three strongholds, they win together. Moritani can win alone by controlling three strongholds or by weakening opponents through Terror tokens and alliances. Points are not scored; victory is determined by territorial control. Consult the manual for details on this section. Tips for Winning Moritani: Prolong the game to maximize the impact of Terror tokens. Use Enemy of My Enemy to form alliances at critical moments. Ecaz: Focus on forming alliances early. Use Ambassadors strategically to gain control of Duke Vidal or forge alliances. Consult the manual for details on this section. ## FAQ ### How many players can participate? The expansion supports 2 to 6 players, matching the base game's range. ### What is the average playtime? Between 120 and 180 minutes, depending on strategy and alliance dynamics. ### Does the Homeworlds mechanic increase complexity? Yes, but the learning curve is gentle; players familiar with the base game will adapt quickly. ### What new components are included? Nexus cards, Discovery tokens, new house pieces, and raid tokens. ### Who benefits most from this expansion? Players who enjoy diplomacy, territorial control, and risk-based decisions gain the most. ### Is the base game required to play? Yes, the expansion relies on the rules and components of Dune: The Board Game. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 26.85 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5011307&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/45209/dune-ecaz-moritani?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com