The Best Dune Board Games
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With the rise in popularity to Dune with the recent film release. Board game enthusiasts’ might be looking for a Dune themed game to play at the table. Lucky for you there are actually several games to pick from in the Dune Universe, these are some of the best board games in the Dune setting.
Dune The Board Game
Released back in the 70’s, and in and out of print since, Gale Force 9 has taken on the role of bringing this game back to the table. This game crams in all the political intrigue that Dune is known for as players sit around a board with the planet Arrakis in the center. The goal being to control the most territories on the board with a 10 turn limit.
This game is not for players not interested in learning a ton of rules however as this game is deep. Each family from the Dune universe has their own special ability that makes each playthrough unique. On top of that, each game can lead to different houses teaming up together that make for amazing moments of backstabbing and powershifts.
For board game enthusiasts out there that love to collect games with expansions, Gale Force 9 has printed an expansion for this game that adds two more family houses to play as in the game.
But wait, a new expansion is just on the horizon bringing two more family houses to the table. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of how to play this game, we recommend watching the Shut Up and Sit Down Review of Dune the board game.
If you want to pick up this game or it’s expansions you can find links to them below. These expansions are Dune: The Board Game - CHOAM & Richese House Expansion and Dune: The Board Game - Ixians & Tleilaxu House Expansion
Dune A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy is a game that takes the 2019 version of Dune, a game based from the 70’s and modernizes the mechanics and rules as well as strips down other rules in the game.
This game is not quite identical from 2019 Gale Force 9 Dune. But it’s different enough for us to talk about it here. This version of the Dune uses the movie license so the art may be more familiar with recent movie releases. But there are many changes worth mentioning in this game that simplifies and speeds up the game.
For instance, instead of 10 turns, there are only 5. Instead of win conditions being the holding of territories or other faction win conditions, it’s now the total amount of spice where the territories controlled count toward the end spice total for the player. Another chance is the dice rolling for the storm movement around the board.
There are reduced turn phases from the original version of the game. players will always get cards, but can buy additional cards using spice. Units and leaders can be bought back from the tleilaxu tanks at 2 price extra over the base allowed units or spice equal to leaders health.
But finally, there is 1 less faction in this version of the game leaving just the imperium, Ateradise, Harkonnen, and Fremen.
If the original Dune board game sounds like to much learning for you and your gaming group, this game is a good addition as it requires less players and the rules are streamlined and lead to faster gameplay. But if you are more of a Dune nerd and board game nerd, seasoned Dune players will scoff at this version of the game.
Dune Imperium
Dune Imperium created by Dire Wolf in partnership with Legendary is a new board game experience with the Dune setting.
With understandably less meta than it’s predecessor, Dune Imperium is the recently released game that uses recent Dune 2021 movie license. This game can be considered more of a deck builder with a board at the center of the table as the main point of the game is to manage your deck of cards.
If you are a big fan of games like Dominion, I would recommend looking into this game as well as your deck will allow you to move workers, use special abilities and up your number of victory points in the game. This is almost as if the 2019 Dune Board Game was merged with Dominion and Scythe. If any of these games have been fun to you, you will like Dune Imperium.
If you are looking for a game that can be played solo, this game takes the cake for the number one spot.
Dune Imperium also has an expansion called Dune Imperium: Rise of IX.
Dune: House Secrets
Dune House Secrets is a Legacy campaign game that is for 1 to 4 players. What we mean by legacy game, is that components will be used up and destroyed as you play through the game. The game also requires an internet connection has it has some online features to it similar to a mansions of madness or Arkham horror 3rd edition board game.
To some the addition of an app to a game is a jarring feature, it works pretty well with this game.
This game really allows players to get enveloped in the lore of Dune and grow attached to their own characters. similar to the game Gloomhaven.
As this game progresses, players will level up their characters and continue through the story of the game. For fans of Legacy games, this is easily the best done one in the realm of Dune. If you enjoy games like Pandemic Legacy, we recommend this game. Otherwise you may want to look into other Dune games in this list.
Dune Betrayal
This game for 4 to 8 players where players will play roles from house Harkonnen or Atereadis. This one of those social deductions, “Who is the traitor” type games where players will gain and loose points on a scale. If you have played games like The Resistance, or secret Hitler, you will see some striking similarities to those games here with the use of the Dune license.
Personally this game feels the weakest in comparison to the other games we have mentioned above. As a more recent release as well we already see gale Force 9 reusing some of the card art from other Dune games using the movie license.
That being said, this is a smaller box game that is easy to take to parties and can handle a larger player count while also having a smaller gaming time.
If you are looking for a game that works well to pull out at parties that are not dedicated to board games, Dune Betrayal fills that itch.
What Is The Best Dune Game To Get?
So the tough question, which Dune game is the best to get? I need to answer that question in two ways. If you have a dedicated game group that does not mind a game that is challenging to learn. Think games like Twilight Imperium, or Scythe, then I would recommend getting the 2019 version of Dune the Board Game by Gale Force 9. This game is still being actively supported with new expansions each box is filled with unique game mechanics and play styles that you are not going to find anywhere else.
But if you are a moderate board gamer, or have a smaller group, I recommend going with the Dune Imperium game. These two games are the heavy hitters in the board game world right now and with the sequel movie confirmed to be coming, means that these games will be on front stage for a few years to come yet.
The other games have their own unique play styles to them which is why I felt the need to mention them in this list, but if you go with 2019 Dune or Dune Imperium as your choice or maybe even both. You will get the best experience that best captures what the Frank Herbert created in the first place and have a lot of fun at the same time.
I hope that you found this list helpful as well as informative to help you sort out the ever growing games in the Dune franchise. Comment below what your favorite Dune Game is.
