Board Game Dune - Imperium

Deckbuilding Battle for Arrakis

This is a strategy game with deckbuilding, worker placement, and territory control mechanics. Players will attempt to take control of various factions of the Imperium - the fierce desert warriors of the Freemen, the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, the Pilots` Guild, or the Landsraad High Council led by Emperor Shaddam IV of House Corrino - and fight for the planet Arrakis, rich in melange spices. Spices are the most valuable resource in the Imperium. It is said that whoever controls the spice industry controls the entire universe.

Before the game begins, participants take leaders from the base factions - Paul Atreides, Glossa "the Beast" Rabban, Count Memnon Torvald, Count Ilban Richez or other famous heroes. They receive components of their color, 1 water token and starting decks of 10 "weak" cards. Players shuffle the starting decks and place them next to the leader cards.

Game progress

The game continues until a player scores 10 victory points. During the game, players will both gain and lose victory points. The current situation is displayed on the victory point track.

The game consists of rounds. Each round is divided into 5 phases:

1. Start of the round

The top card from the conflict deck is revealed. Players draw 5 cards from their decks. If there are not enough cards in the deck, you must form a new deck by shuffling the cards from the discard pile.

2. Player Turns

Players take turns, clockwise. The active player can send their agent or reveal cards. Intrigue plan cards can also be played (this is not considered an action). After revealing cards, the player no longer moves in this round. The phase ends when all players have revealed their cards.

• Send Agent. An agent can be sent to a free location on the playing field. The player plays a card from his hand. One of the symbols on this card must match the symbol of the selected location. The player must also pay the price or fulfill the requirements of the location. The player applies the location effect and the agent cell effect on the played card. He advances his marker one space on the influence track of the faction that owns this location.

In a location with a spice extraction symbol - the Imperial Basin, Hagg`s Basin, or the Great Plains - the agent extracts the indicated amount of spices + all spices that were already in the location.

For each dice symbol on a played card or in a location, the player moves a squad die from his supply to his garrison. If the player sends an agent to a combat location, he may add the squad dice obtained this turn and 1-2 squad dice from the garrison to the conflict zone on the field.

• Show cards. The player reveals the remaining cards in his hand. He places them separately from the cards with which he sent agents. He then applies the effects of the reveal cells on the revealed cards. Each sword on the cards gives 1 power point. Each unit in the conflict zone gives 2 power points. If the player has at least 1 unit die in the conflict zone, he marks the total power on the combat track.

For the persuasion points on the revealed cards, cards from the Imperium or Foundation rows can be purchased. The price is indicated in the upper right corner of the card. The player can buy as many cards as he wants, as long as he has enough persuasion points. All purchased and played cards are put on the discard pile.

3. Combat

Starting with the first player, participants with at least 1 unit die in the conflict zone can take turns playing any number of intrigue combat cards. By applying the effects of the cards played and adjusting the strength on the battle track, players determine the winners of the battle. The player who ranks first in strength receives the highest reward from the current conflict map, and the second place player receives the second reward. The third place player receives the third reward only in a four-player game.

4. Spoil

If the Imperial Basin, Hagga Basin, or Great Plains are free of agents, 1 spice is added to each of these locations.

5. Recall

If no one has won by scoring 10 or more points, players return their agents from the field. The first player`s marker is passed to the next player in clockwise order.

If someone scores 10 or more points or the conflict deck runs out, players apply the end-of-game intrigue card effects. The player with the most points wins.

Free app. Solo/Two-player, «Scouts of Arrakin» and«Blitz!»

You can also download the free application «Dire Wolf Game Room». It will help you play solo or in pairs. Now your virtual opponents will be able to buy cards from the Imperium Series, which means that the games will become even more interesting and dynamic.

In addition, the application adds the mode «Scouts from Arrakin» for 3-4 players. Using this mode, at the beginning of each round you will open one or more special cards that significantly influence the actions of the players and the development of the current round.

There are 5 types of such cards:

• Committees. Players will be able to join committees by sending agents to the «High Council» location. You can only choose a committee once per game. By paying the entry fee, the player will receive certain bonuses.
• Missions. Players lay out components in the location to later use them to fulfill the conditions of the missions.
• Events. Mandatory and optional events lead to the gain or loss of resources.
• Auctions. Players place bets using spices, solariums, or water. The winner of the auction receives a reward.
• Trade offers. Resources can be exchanged at a favorable rate.

«Blitz!» - an accelerated version of the game for experienced players, which allows you to predict the winner in order to eventually outdo him!