The 6 Player Dune Imperium Experience

[@RedJamsss]

awesome insights into the mode, especially when there aren't many 6 player mode comments out there. My copy of uprising doesnt even have the 6 player components popped out yet lol, so its good that you get to share something we wont get to. Great video as always.

[@seaofpasta]

Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! Ya, I still highly recommend popping that cardboard and giving it a swing. The first few games were excellent, but I do admit I play my games to death, and this one didn't hold attention for too long.

[@khainguyen3149]

this review gave me a go and bought it for my group, best decision I've ever made!

[@bryanpatterson5132]

So, I have to completely disagree with the asymmetry assessment here. I don't think you are seeing the 6 player mode as it was desingned. All of my experinces have shown me that this was Dune Imperium/Uprising on crack. The way the seating is arraned, the way everything is public, the way the game works around the table is unlike anything I have ever played, It is both epic and finishing in a 3 hour period with experienced players was ideal. The gripe that the replay of the asymmetry becoming redundant is irrevelant, and super denotes how good this game is, and with so few reviews I have no choice but to FIGHT for it, obviioulsy trying not to disrespect but at the same time show my passion. Honestly, super great video, love that you focused on the 6 player mode, I hope when this game gets more fans they realize this is the best way to play. But my whole argument is this: 1. You compare War of the Ring, my top 2 fav game of all time, both teams are put in a specific kin'd of gameplay, hobbits with hidden movenet, sauran with fighting/forces. 2. For that exact reason, that is what I think is different/misunderstood about the 6 player mode. Instead of the 4 player mode where each game you decide, "Should I get my swordmaster or my High council," the game is telling you which half of strategy to take. Worm or deck build. The variation is in which team you are on. I have played both so many times, and I cannot wait to out deck build or out fight the oppoenet. When you think of it in that terms, the do I high council or swordmaster is the same choice of if I will be on Emperor or Muadib team. 3. What? Who says 2. without backing up the obvious: Think about the choices you make in regular 4 player dune , after deciding to go sword or high, do i continue going for the other? What cards do I have? What is the state of the baord? I have played 6 player so many times, that starting with a strat in that dierection is great, but by mid game, everyone has their own avenues to get the most points, and there are SOOOOOOOOO many more ways to score, it is sexy, fun, and so epic when your team can crush it, I think 6 player provides so much more social interatction than 4 it makes it not only such a superioor game, my game group finds nights we play 6 player mode to be so so special. It is unreal. Not trying to dismiss your video, very well done, but I got to put my two cents in. Imagine, similar to root, you are stuck with a specific strategy, albeit the birds, its the same thing here. You are finding reduncancy that isn't valid because no one that plays the Birds is upset with their redundancy, that is who they are, their character. So yes, your comment that they might do more leaders and change it up is valid, and that it could be great but as it stands it isnt, still we have to fight to show the other side, that it is great, so not only folks will play it but also so enogh people play it so they can make it great by adding in different leader combos. Anyway, tryiing to just give my two cents, not tryin to be a jerk. I think its a super great game, and yall should def play!

[@seaofpasta]

Hi Friend, Thank you very much for the detailed and well thought out response. I agree for sure, it's an excellent experience when 6 people are all huddled around trying to scheme and out maneuver the enemy's plans, and when it clicks just right it's an absolutely magnificent experience. I just had a 6 player game that was decided by a spice tie breaker, which is insanely tight when you think of all the moves and mechanisms at play, and the 6 player mode is a triumph when it comes to capturing to soul of the 4 player game. The tension, the plotting, the fact that the game is so close so often is all excellent considering how many moving parts exist. I think you're example of Root and Eyrie brings up a valid point, when you play the Eyrie you are forced into a certain play mechanics, but I don't find playing the Eyrie, or any other faction in Root, as over cumbersome when it comes to my decision space as when I play Dune 6 player. What I mean by this, is when I play the Eyrie, I can decide, will I go Despot, Charismatic, or maybe even Commander to start (let's be real, nobody goes builder lol)? Will I be diplomatic and encourage people to leave my next clearings, or will I over power them with forces? What is the composition of my enemies, am I in a game with other militant factions or more insurgents? All of this will decide how I plan out each turn and each decree. While the actual mechanics of the Eyrie will force me to build roosts to score, the method in which I build those roosts is fluid depending on so many independent variables. On the other hand, in Dune Uprising 6 player, if I am playing on the Emperor's team, I know I must deck build, and if I am with the Muadib, I know I must go to worms. If I don't go down that path, I will certainly lose out on the point machine that each team needs to remain competitive. This is restrictive asymmetry because I am heavily encouraged to play a certain overarching strategy each and every game. It's different than the Eyrie, because the Eyrie's game mechanics still allow flexible decision space, but in 6 player uprising you are forced into a certain playstyle and reduces the decision space. If I want to remain competitive, I must play to my strengths of my faction because the strengths are so overpowering. It doesn't matter what allies pick for leaders, I must play into the strengths of the Emperor or Muadib. You are restricted from strategies both because the game's rules simply don't allow you to partake (for example, the Emperor can never get hooks), and because strategies are removed by the other team, such as the Muadib's team losing access to powerful cards via the imperial tent. My argument is the game would be better if it enabled more strategies for both teams, hence my interest in new faction leaders, as well as more open ended asymmetry that encourages variable strategies for each side. I hope this helps clarify, but once again, I sincerely appreciate your comment and critique, and we both agree this is an excellent addition and great time to play. I just see slight blemishes when it comes to the asymmetry that bothered me after the repeated playthroughs!

[@YeetMcmaet]

Thank you for this vid. I have been wondering about this feature

[@seaofpasta]

Thank you for the comment! Ya not too many people chatting about the 6 player mode, but it's definitely worth a go or two of you can find people!

[@fabianbohlmann2294]

Good video ;). What about the expansions (Immortality)? Where exactly can I put the "Research Station" overlay on the board (2× Experimentation Cards)? THX

[@seaofpasta]

Thanks for the compliments! With regards to immortality, it implements fairly seamlessly. The 'Research Station' overlay still goes where it normally goes, but the Experimentation cards go to the allies (replacing dune the desert planet as usual). Beetle bumps and movement up the Tleilax research track trigger from the leader for their respective ally as commanders do not have a marker on the track. They also purchase cards from the activated Sally's supply of specimens. It's a good addition! I didn't go over it in my video, but I think immortality is a nice option to the 6 player mode and balanced for both sides.

[@xfoolsgoldx]

How long doese the six player game go on for.

[@seaofpasta]

Usually it's between 2.5-3.5 hours. Depends on how much action paralysis your group has but safe to say 3 hours minimum for first playthrough.

[@lordbebech]

Well they could put two options in manual for 6p game - one lore accurate and let's say "strategy immersive", and you play the way your companions want :) Hope that your proposal for change is enough for open and balanced game :D

[@seaofpasta]

Oh ya that would sick. It's fairly easy to set it up, but for the purpose of this overview I played 95% of the time with rules as written. A variant that allowed any leader without the crippling forced asymmetry would be very nice, but I would probably want revamped commander boards as well.

[@j0llibeetch]

I’m assuming this game won’t work for 5 players

[@seaofpasta]

Hey friend, nope! It does not play 5 people. I The normal game mode works for 1-4 people, and the team based mode is exclusively 6 players. Kinda sad but makes sense from a gameplay perspective.

[@j0llibeetch]

@@seaofpasta ahh! I figure! Another question, because I now need to use the Emperor, does that mean we must have contracts?

[@GhostRaiter]

Excellent assessment. But could've been cut down by 10 mins... no need to repeat 30 times the restrictive game play