TDG: Dune: War for Arrakis - The Spacing Guild

[@Warchoon]

This is a great expansion, it adds very little rules and components, but it really changes the approach of the game. Without it the Harkonnen could usually completely disregard the harvesters and their own settlements and just go for the throat by beating the sietches. Spacing Guild gives an edge for the Atreides, as 1) the Atreides can speed up the movement of the heighliner during the round, not only in the end; 2) the Atreides can choose and pick which Imperial action they get, so usually they don't need more troops - they need more frigates and get them faster on board, both to block off the Harkonnen air spots to prevent ornithopter placement and to threaten the internal cities, while it's really hard for the Harkonnen to get more than 2 heighliner moves in a turn (harvesters can naturally die to worms during hazard phase); 3) by going for the harvesters, the Atreides are denying their opponent more frigates, and getting value for themselves. Nevertheless, the frigates are an amazing threat, both parties get so much from triple movement; the Harkonnen can attack several sietches directly from the North Pole or their cities even without Beast/Feyd, and with those leaders can attack even remote sietches. Meanwhile, the Harkonnen cannot leave their cities undefended anymore, while in the base game it's usually very hard for the Atreides to approach cities fast without the use of Atomics, giving the opportunity for the Harkonnen to recruit or move in time to counter the threat, with the frigates the Atreides can just snatch a lightly defended or undefended settlement directly from the desert, potentially scoring up to 3 on every prescience track. So in essence, the Spacing Guild expansion made spice harvesting and its disruption much more important for both parties, and the Harkonnen even need to think about defense. Though realistically you won't get more than 2 heighliner landings in a given game (usually just one), it brings so much power that changes the strategic landscape. While I agree it doesn't really change the overall feel of the game, it opens up new tactics that need to be taken into account. Great expansion.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great points! Thanks.

[@Elicurren]

I'll be getting this game as soon as I can get someone to co-sign for the loan.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha! True.

[@alecstuckeyguitar]

It’s coming back to kickstarter soon

[@adilgeresu2296]

Completely agree. I like it but it doesn’t really change my rating for the base game like with something like outer rim. Hope you get your hands on the Kickstarter exclusive stuff to give us your thoughts on those!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Hope so, too. Yeah, it's not an essential expansion, but I do enjoy playing with it.

[@chadvader974]

Adds a bit more spice - see what you did there!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's what I do.

[@henrikwakman7776]

It is an essential expansion, or else the harvesters play no part. The Atreides have to be slow and deliberate in building up, and super aggressive towards grabbing harvesters.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@polyfission2776]

Great expansion. I love how it rounds up the corners of the spice phase for the Harkonnen, giving them more stuff to consider when they spend their currency, and it also gives more of an incentive for Atreides to attack those dune harvesters. Like you said, not essential at all. But it adds just enough subtlety, exactly where it is needed, and in doing so enhances the game overall for me.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Well said. Great expansion.

[@anaximander66]

Did you say the spacing Guild "spices things up"? The Harkonnens would have a problem with that!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

They frequently do. Ha!

[@Kab61]

Duncan Idaho Omg!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed!

[@CRP2426]

Thanks for featuring DUNE. I'm really satisfied with the base game so far and haven't used this expansion yet. Would love more videos about this game. Thanks!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Stay tuned!!!

[@samt9387]

Great vid 👍. I'd love if you put out a third channel that was just minimally edited videos of the full playthroughs. I'm sure 2 channels is already enough work though lol. Keep up the good work!🎉🎉

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks a ton. Yeah, don’t know that I’d have enough time for that.

[@wolfpelt]

Hello, love your vids. Have you played with the Smugglers expansion? Any thoughts? Txs

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope. I haven't had a chance to yet.