Dune Spice Wars takes the venerable sci-fi franchise back into strategy realms after more than 20 years, this time as a mix of real-time strategy and 4X. After the powerful houses Atreides and Harkonnen, developer Shiro Games introduces the third faction: the smugglers.
These independent outlaws of Arrakis use espionage, opportunism and last but not least, good networking to swindle their share of the Spice. In battle, they are particularly interested in resupplying enemy troops. We introduce you to the Smuggler Faction in more detail.
Dune Spice Wars is slated to hit Early Access in 2022. If you want to take a look at the gameplay first, we recommend the trailer:
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Dune: Spice Wars – The worm is in the first gameplay trailer
That is what distinguishes the smugglers
The smugglers jump in where business partners want to get valuable goods without being exposed to the far-reaching influence of the CHOAM organization. This makes the smugglers an economic power of their own, even if they are viewed as criminals.
At the top is Esmar Tuek, who is treated with respect among all smugglers. As the Spice Wars escalate between the great houses, the smugglers band together to gain strength through unity.
Here you can see Tuek’s closest associates who have important tasks:
Smugglers control their own territory near the polar region of Arrakis. They also command their own army, whose units act particularly insidiously, cut off supplies to opponents and receive advantages in return.
The smugglers’ units
Like every faction in Dune Spice Wars, the Smugglers come with a selection of specific troops that excel in treacherous combat. Here are the featured unit types:
- Scavengers: These sinister fellows kill mercilessly for a quick buck and prefer to pounce on weakened and starved units. If the enemies also lack supplies, the scavengers become all the stronger.
- Wreckers: The perfect Vanguard for the Scavengers. Wreckers reduce enemy supplies to weaken them.
- Snipers: Equipped with the longest range of any unit, the snipers are particularly efficient at overpowering a weakened and fleeing enemy.
- Free Company: As bounty hunters and assassins, Free Company warriors have a stealth ability. Also, they can mimic enemies’ abilities.
- Combat Drone: The drones are extremely fast and support the remaining troops. They are relatively weakly armored.
Dune: Spice Wars
A weakness fits terrifyingly well
Want to know more about Dune Spice Wars? Feel free to read the in-depth preview by strategy expert Fabiano. He noticed a problem that curiously fits the game’s universe well.
