9.1
rating
Ludopedia
8.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
A must-play for modern wargame lovers and Dune fans; the asymmetry is the star of the show.
Highlights
- Highly detailed and immersive miniatures
- Dynamic and fluid dice system
- Well-implemented asymmetry between houses
- Strong fidelity to the source material
Keep in mind
- Slightly steep learning curve
- Some components require translation
RECOMMENDED
Rules manual not indexed yet
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Welcome to Arrakis, the planet where the sand burns and power flows through the Spice. If you're not familiar with the lore, it's simple: whoever controls the Spice controls the universe. The Emperor played a dirty game, granting the planet to House Atreides only to betray them and hand everything over to the cruel Harkonnens. Now, the Baron rules with an iron fist, but hope lies with Paul and Jessica, who are organizing an epic resistance with the help of the Fremen, the masters of desert survival.
In 'Dune: War for Arrakis', you dive into this asymmetrical war. It's not just about who has the biggest army, but how you maneuver your troops—whether using the stealth of the Fremen, the elite Fedaykin, or the brutality of the Sardaukar. The heart of the game beats through an intelligent action dice system: you roll, resolve icons, and decide how to spend your resources to dominate areas or harvest the precious Spice. But be careful: the desert is treacherous, and harvesters can attract the fury of the giant Sandworms, who show no mercy to anyone.
Combining hand management with unexpected events, each game retells the Dune saga in a different way. Will you manage to overthrow the Harkonnen tyranny or be swallowed by the dunes? The strategy here is deep, requiring you to balance territorial expansion with constant risk management. It's a military simulation that places you at the center of a political and bellicose dispute where betrayal is as common as the sand.
In 'Dune: War for Arrakis', you dive into this asymmetrical war. It's not just about who has the biggest army, but how you maneuver your troops—whether using the stealth of the Fremen, the elite Fedaykin, or the brutality of the Sardaukar. The heart of the game beats through an intelligent action dice system: you roll, resolve icons, and decide how to spend your resources to dominate areas or harvest the precious Spice. But be careful: the desert is treacherous, and harvesters can attract the fury of the giant Sandworms, who show no mercy to anyone.
Combining hand management with unexpected events, each game retells the Dune saga in a different way. Will you manage to overthrow the Harkonnen tyranny or be swallowed by the dunes? The strategy here is deep, requiring you to balance territorial expansion with constant risk management. It's a military simulation that places you at the center of a political and bellicose dispute where betrayal is as common as the sand.
GALLERY
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Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
In English
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How to Play Dune: War for Arrakis in 31 Minutes
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Dune War For Arrakis - How To Play
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How to setup and play Dune: War for Arrakis
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Playthrough (with explanations)
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Dune: War for Arrakis - How to Play - CMON Kickstarter rule preview!
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Painting the Harkonnens: The Painted Mini, Dune War for Arrakis
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Dune: War for Arrakis Rules Challenge
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Dune: War for Arrakis: Does the Mahdi Solo Mode Work for You?
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The Painted Mini: Dune War for Arrakis, Let's Paint the Vehicles!
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Painting the Atreides
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Painting the Sandworms Dune: War for Arrakis
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Dune War for Arrakis: 3 & 4 Player Rules
1
OK
2
BEST
3
OK
4
REC
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
CMON Global Limited, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Gale Force Nine, LLC, Geekach LLC, Hobby World, Portal Games
Designer
Francesco Nepitello, Marco Maggi
Artist
Henning Ludvigsen, Paolo Parente, Stefano Moroni, Steve Prescott
Is the game too complex for those who don't play wargames?
It has a medium-high weight (3.64), so it requires some patience to learn. If you're familiar with area control games, you'll pick it up quickly, but it's not an 'entry-level' game.
How long does a game take?
The estimate is around 2 hours, but depending on the group and the players' analysis paralysis, it might take a bit longer.
Can I play it solo?
Yes! The game includes a solo/solitaire mode, allowing you to face the challenges of Arrakis without needing a group.
Are the miniatures good?
Yes, they are one of the game's highlights, bringing great immersion to the table with faithful representations of troops and Sandworms.
Do I need to have read the books or seen the movies to play?
It's not mandatory, but it helps a lot with immersion. The game conveys the atmosphere well, but knowing the Atreides vs Harkonnen rivalry enhances the experience.
Is the game balanced?
It is asymmetrical, meaning each faction plays differently. Balance comes from the diversity of abilities rather than having the same tools.