DUNE IMPERIUM Board Game Solo Play

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• Dune Imperium board game - amzn.to/3qJj06Z
IN THIS VIDEO: A solo play through of DUNE IMPERIUM. Please note while I do my best, mistakes sometimes happen, but the intent and fun of the game remains intact. Enjoy!!
TME STAMPS
0:00 Intro & Set-Up
2:53 Game Play
#dalethecasualgamer #soloplay #duneimperium
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[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Rules explanations/clarifications/mistakes: 1. At 9:00, the Beast should have also deployed 2 units to the conflict.

[@kylewhocares916]

5:18 Isn't the rival supposed to collect 1 water for landing on still suits?

[@Sem5626]

@@kylewhocares916 rivals only perform what is on the card pretty sure, they ignore any income that is marked on the board they get things from the board for cards like harvest spice, because then its actually an action from the card ive only played this once though, i'm still learning

[@tonybowers9490]

At 18:34 I think you have to win the conflict in order to play that card. Enjoying the play through. Great job.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Makes sense. I was thinking "win" for top option, and didn't matter for bottom ... but now looking at the card again, I'm with you, gotta win for either option. :)

[@boardgametime3727]

Thanks for the Playthrough, Dale! :D

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Board Game Time You are welcome, and thanks for watching! :)

[@SoloClub123]

This game is so much better with the Dire Wolf app taking care of the House Hagal deck. The big difference is there are cards added that will cycle cards from the imperial row, whereas if you use the physical deck you'll only ever see new cards whenever you purchase some since the AI never buys cards. I think it helps out with solo so much just being able to see more cards for purchase.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@wildinferno1984. I agree that would definitely help. While playing I wasn’t getting access to cards needed, and had to buy cards just to see others. I think this is going to be a 3-4 player game for me.

[@popmon6446]

I'm afraid I don't quite understand the part about cycling cards from the imperial row. When I use the app it just draws Hagal cards for you. What am I missing?

[@SoloClub123]

@@popmon6446 There are two apps. If you downloaded the Dune Imperium Companion app then that is the wrong one because its doesn't add the extra churn cards. Make sure you get the Dire Wolf Game Room app, that one has the churn cards. If thats the one you have and you don't see those churn cards anywhere then I'm not sure why its missing them.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@@popmon6446 I had never used the app, so downloaded it (iphone), drew some cards and didn't see anything. Couldn't find any settings other than to turn sound on or off. So not sure if they changed the app. There are a couple variants on boardgamegeek. Feel free to check them out. Good luck!

[@popmon6446]

@@SoloClub123 Ah! Thanks. Will give that a try.

[@achang101]

Dune Imperium is a great game (one of the best in 2020), but taking an action to just collect Solari is not a strong move. You need to harvest and sell your spice and get your third worker out as quickly as you can. You should be in a position to get your extra worker out no later than turn 3 in a solo game. Resources don't score any points so you should be using your resources to take better actions. In any event, there are lots of viable strategies for victory. I've won against the bots (and real opponents) using a Combat heavy strategy, Influence strategy and Spice Must Flow strategy. Thanks for the play through.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Andrew Chang Thanks for the strategy tips! Much appreciated. :)

[@tonybowers9490]

Heighlander is very powerful. I will try to harvest spice to use it once or twice a game. Also, the 2 blue spaces on the left are helpful. One gets gains water, the other 3 cards. I go to them as often as I can. A seat on the council gives you two Influence, then adding 3 more cards can give me me shot at gaining a The Spice Must Flow card (which gives a bonus of 1 point). Getting the Mentat is more helpful than it first appears. Getting an extra card may mean getting a more playable card. AND, it lets you Reveal last. One very interesting aspect is that going last is extremely helpful for combat. Gives you the best view of what you need to do to win or lets you know you can't win so you decide to skip the battle. I only harvest spice if there is extra spice on the space. Those 2 spaces, the A.I. never goes to. I typically go to the bottom Freman space first turn to get a spice, then next turn go to the 2 water harvest spice space to get enough spice to use to trade for Solari to use to get my swordsman that turn or next. I'm being to think I need to access the faction spaces more, so I now try to make sure I have cards to allow for going there. I will often pass on trying to win the early battles, but will put in at least 1 troop in order to try to get 2nd. It's difficult to hold back, but given that the last cards offer 2 points I find it worth being patient. But, I'm still learning too. There are many paths to victory in this game. I lose a lot playing solo, but like it A LOT. Maybe my fav game for 2020. :-)

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Tony Bowers Thanks for all the strategy assistance!! And glad you found an awesome game for 2020!! :)

[@ChristopherWalrath]

Thanks, Dale. Getting my copy tomorrow. Time to get something other than Scythe to the table.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Tabletop Sports Delaware Sports, Scythe, and now Dune Imperium! Have fun!! :)

[@patrickcouture5569]

Hey Dale! Thank you for the play through. You always seem to make the game easy to understand. Can you tell me which sleeves you are using on both the small ans standard cards? Thank you keep up the good work.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Patrick Couture For the standard cards I'm using Dragon Shields clear matte sleeves, which are a bit expensive. Prior to using them I used Fantasy Flight Sleeves which were the one of the "standard" premiere sleeves (but they are discontinued). The smaller sleeves I'm using FFG sleeves, because I have a huge back stock of those. GameGenic makes most of the "off-size" sleeves and Sleeve Kings will soon be provided similar sleeves to FFGs discontinued brand. Hope that helps!

[@joelbehne706]

I believe at 24:42 when Red wins that combat, he does gain the control marker of that spot. You played by the "2 player" rules in which House Hagal doesn't take combat rewards. In solo mode, the rivals take all rewards.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Joel Behne Thanks for the info! :)

[@richardscales9560]

Got to use that Spice man. Heighliner is a powerful move when you can afford it. I rarely collect money per se, is rather get spice and sell it when I've got a bunch. I think that's more efficient in the long run. I also try not to buy too many cards as it slows your hand circulation. Totally agree on the utility of the app.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@richard scales Thanks! I don't see this game as a typical deck builder, the rounds go pretty quick and you won't cycle through your deck much so a bunch of mediocre cards definitely hurts your hand circulation. :)

[@amsfountain8792]

What happens if at the end of the game you tie in victory points? I dont seem to find it in the rules.

[@21VN]

Nice playthrough! 15:56 I believe The Beast should’ve deployed 2 troops from his garrison to the conflict for the Stillsuits card. 18:29 For the intrigue card, I feel the OR is saying choose one when you actually win a conflict? Simply go up once on one faction track or pay 2 spice to go up 2 instead. But maybe I’m wrong.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Thanks for watching, and helping! :) I think the beast already had an advantage, so other than taking 2 out of his garrison, I don’t think it made an a impact on the game. Hmm. Not sure how to interpret the card. It didn’t state “when you win” and according to timing, combat cards get played before results. But I’m a rookie in this game. :)

[@21VN]

@@DaletheCasualGamer Yea. The 2 troops wouldn’t have made a difference. It can be difficult to remember to do that whenever you see the conflict icon on certain cards/spaces. That particular intrigue card did actually say “when you win a conflict”. 😉 Looking forward to more plays of this one! Even on the lowest difficulty, this game gives you a good challenge.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@@21VN Haha! Needless to say, my eye sight could be better. :)

[@azzido851]

Rules say: Any time a Rival sends an Agent to a Combat space, it also deploys up to two troops from its garrison (if available) to the Conflict. Do this even if the card itself recruited no troops (for example: a Harvest Spice card). 9:02

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Thanks for watching!

[@tombulva]

Thank you very much for this material. Very helpful. I'm just after my first solo game. I have one question: 29:15 - Reval (red) shouldn't get two Soldier dice from the faction track bonus (According to the rules, Rivals do not receive bonuses from the Faction track). Personally, it also surprises me, since the Rival receives all other goods from other fields. I was playing like you. However, I got a reply from BGG that it was against the rules for Rivals.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Tombul Bul I don't always get all the rules correct ... but most of them. I know longer have the game to check, so I'd go with BGG. Thanks for watching, and happy gaming!! :)

[@michaelrodriguez3129]

For solo, do we always play with 2 AI opponents?

[@olegyd]

Thematically this agent tokens represent characters on a cards! You sending scout to Carthag to recruit a, troops for you! That better approach to play that game! Love dune universe

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Oleg Volobujev Thanks for watching, and helping with the theme!

[@pakatus]

Hey Dale, great gameplay. Can you tell me which Deckholder (standard) are you using there?

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Nuno Fernandes Thanks for watching! I was using the e-raptor 2L card holder. Hope that helps! :)

[@GreenRayJC]

18:00 you should have won that combat, you forgot to clear red troops from the previous round combat.

[@matte2421]

Dale, I love that plastic deck holder, where did you find it?

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

The wooden one is a Broken Token deck holder and the plastic one is an e-raptor deck holder. Hope that helps your shopping! :)

[@tonybowers9490]

Don't feel bad about losing. Played the game solo a lot on Sudakar level. I usually lose, but eek out a win now and again. Playing against 2 A.I. that don't have to pay to use spaces is tough. My loses are like yours, one of the A.I.'s runs off with it. I will typically come in 2nd.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Worker placement isn't one of my better games, and don't mind losing ... or else I'd never post losses online. ;) My main goal is to attempt to teach basics of game play to help others decide if it's a game they might like. :)

[@kymangel7565]

Can you please tell me where you got your deck holders?

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

The plastic one is an "e-raptor" and the wooden looking one is "broken token". Amazon typically has them. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching! :)

[@LarrySchneider]

At 9:00, the red rival should have deployed 2 Troops to the conflict.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Larry Schneider Thanks for watching! The Red Rival was quite the Beast even though he was shorted on troops! :)

[@XHuntinatorX]

Hey Dale... what did you think as far as solo play? Looks kinda dry to me but it’s hard to tell having not played myself. Love the DUNE IP so just wondering.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

XHuntinatorX. I’ve played it twice solo, first being the video I uploaded and another time with the same characters (went much better for me that time). For me, I would not recommend as a solo only game, but would highly recommend the game for 3-4 players. I haven’t played 2 player, but it does use an AI opponent to keep the characters at 3. It’s a very tight game, which makes sense with winning at 10VP. I’d say its more worker placement with a touch of deck building since the game is rather short, there isn’t enough time to get a satisfying deck built. Hope that helps and thanks for watching! :)

[@XHuntinatorX]

@@DaletheCasualGamer Ok...Thanx Dale, that’s what I needed to know. Keep up the good work man.

[@jamesnoriega4698]

If I have 7 spice I get a victory point right? Am I supposed to trade those in to get the point? Or do I keep them?

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

I no longer have the game, but pretty sure they are spent. Happy Gaming!

[@schneeritterstudios2648]

For people finding this in the future: Those rules are just for the AI, you can't trade in 7 ressources for VPs :D

[@jamesnoriega4698]

@@schneeritterstudios2648 You know, this games hard enough solo. Imma do it anyway!!!! Lmaooo

[@NolanTrapp]

Miss you around Dale. Hope you're well.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

Doing alright, and hope you and your gaming adventures are doing well too! :)

[@AkmalGameAtion]

Thumbnail looks like it's from tabletop simulator!

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Akmal. When artistic shots go wrong for actual game components. ;)

[@Hybban]

Cute game. I feel like it would be more fun with other players than solo.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

I agree 100%. I wouldn’t recommend this game for solo play, but for 3-4 I would definitely recommend. (Haven’t played 2 player, but it does use an AI player).

[@Choose2Connect]

The larger resource pieces represent 3 not 5. 👍👍👍

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@Choose2Connect Thanks for watching! I guess as long as all players in the group are consistent, it would not matter, but the rulebook I have states on page 3 that the large tokens are worth 5 and small tokens are worth 1. :)

[@Choose2Connect]

@@DaletheCasualGamer actually... I'm a Dunst... this caused me to look at the rulebook again and you had it exactly right! I've been playing it all wrong on my end. Sorry shout that 😅.... great video! This has been fun to watch.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@@Choose2Connect Not a problem! It really doesn't effect the game play, and the internet knows I make my share of game mistakes and rules misinterpretations. :) Fun is all that matters. Thanks again for watching and commenting, and helping my playthroughs! :)

[@TheTheshadow32]

I am a fan of your channel Dale, but this game does not convince me at all. Contrary to Marvel Champions this game has NO feeling of playing for the control of the planet Dune or any other decent thematic story. That is what you get if you ask a euro game designer to correct the old Dune game into a _xth version of a deck builder. So sad because the old Dune game drips in theme with its great representation of the planet Dune and eternal struggle between factions. And I played that legendary Dune game exactly ... 3 times over 30 years.☹️

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@The BoBo Thanks for watching! Yes, not all the games I buy are going to be great ... but since it's my personal funds, I always hope, but at the very least, highlighting them on the channel can hopefully help you in your decisions whether to buy or not. I'm not a fan of the solo variant, but enjoy the game with 3 or 4 players. :)

[@popmon6446]

Finished my first playthrough and just missed winning with 10 on the last round because Thorvald, as first player, drew a 1 in 24 chance Wealth card on for his last worker placement. Ended up coming in second to Beast on a tie breaker, beat by 1 spice, and beating Thorvald by one solari. Throvald was allied with the Emperor and Bene Gesserit while Atreides allied with the Fremen and Spacing Guild. Felt pretty thematic to me. Lot of decisions to make. The AI worked well (and screwed me over more than once) and the game is simple and quick to play solo. I'll for sure play solo again, but agree with Dale that it seem like it would be most fun with 3-4 players.

[@DaletheCasualGamer]

@@popmon6446 I'm glad your first game was a lot closer than mine. :)