Dune: War for Arrakis

CMON Global Limited, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Gale Force Nine, LLC · Board game · 2024
1–4 · best 2 Solo 120 min Weight 3.7/5
9.1 rating Ludopedia
8.5 rating BGG
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
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About the game
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.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 OK
2 BEST
3 OK
4 REC
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Game details

Families

Books: Dune Components: Dice with Icons Components: Miniatures Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Theme: Deserts
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.