How to Play Dune: Ixians & Tleilaxu

How to Play Dune: Ixians & Tleilaxu

Game Objective

In Dune: Ixians & Tleilaxu, players take on the roles of factions vying for control of the desert planet Arrakis. The goal is to outmaneuver opponents through strategic combat, alliances, and the acquisition of powerful Treachery Cards. The game ends when a player meets specific victory conditions, which vary based on faction abilities and game events.

Setup

Prepare the game by organizing the Treachery Cards into their respective decks:

• Weapons - Projectile (5)
• Defense - Projectile (5)
• Weapons - Poison (5)
• Defense - Poison (5)
• Worthless Cards (6)
• Special Weapons & Defenses (e.g., Lasgun, Poison Blade, Shield Snooper)
• Other Specials (e.g., Family Atomics, Karama, Tleilaxu Ghola)

If the Richese faction is in play, include the Richese Cache cards and auction one each turn.

Game Flow

The game progresses in turns where players take actions such as acquiring Treachery Cards, engaging in combat, and using faction abilities. The Richese faction must auction a Treachery Card each turn if active. Combat is resolved using weapon and defense cards, with special abilities from cards like Artillery Strike or Weirding Way altering outcomes.

Actions and How to Play

Key actions include:

• Acquiring Treachery Cards: Players draw or bid on cards like Mirror Weapon or Stone Burner to gain advantages.
• Combat: Use Weapons and Defenses to defeat opponents. Special cards like Lasgun or Poison Tooth provide unique effects.
• Faction Abilities: Factions like the Ixians or Tleilaxu have unique powers (e.g., Tleilaxu Ghola resurrection).

Consult the manual for details on specific card interactions.

End Game and Scoring

The game ends when a player fulfills their faction’s victory condition, often involving control of key territories or resources. Points may be awarded for surviving combat, holding strategic cards like Family Atomics, or leveraging faction abilities. The winner is determined by meeting these criteria first.

Tips to Win

• Prioritize Special Cards: Cards like Karama or Weather Control can disrupt opponents or secure critical advantages.
• Adapt to Factions: If playing as Richese, use the Richese Cache auction to manipulate the card economy.
• Balance Offense and Defense: Pair Weapons like Poison Blade with Defenses like Shield Snooper to survive encounters.