Dune: Spice Wars is a richly detailed and sometimes overwhelming RTS that demands both strategic planning and adaptability. Whether you’re gunning for political dominance or brute military conquest, knowing what to prioritize can drastically improve your experience and performance. These seven lessons, learned from time spent navigating the brutal deserts of Arrakis, are essential for anyone hoping to survive—and thrive—in the world of Dune: Spice Wars.

1. Never Underestimate the Power of the Landsraad

The Council of the Landsraad is far more than a ceremonial body—it has the power to drastically alter the course of a game. Whether you’re chasing a political victory or not, ignoring this system can have devastating consequences. Edicts passed in the Landsraad can directly impact your economy, your military capabilities, and your overall momentum. The worst outcome is preparing for one type of win, only to have it snatched away by a last-minute decree. So, always keep an eye on the political landscape, and make sure you’re not leaving this power vacuum open for your rivals to exploit.

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2. Building Placement Is Not Just Cosmetic—It’s Strategic

Each Village tile comes with unique bonuses, and if you ignore them, you’re missing out on crucial efficiencies. These bonuses can affect everything from Solari income to military unit strength or construction speed. Take time to read through the tile-specific traits when you capture new Villages. Consolidating your economic infrastructure onto a tile with production bonuses, for example, can yield far more benefits than scattering buildings across multiple neutral or mismatched tiles. Smart placement leads to powerful synergies, so be intentional as your territory expands.

3. Micromanage Your Spice Exchange Early On

The spice economy is one of the most deceptively intricate systems in the game. Once you’ve met the quota for your spice tax, turn down your spice-to-Solari exchange rate. Especially in the early game, this small adjustment can dramatically stretch your resources, as Solari is often tight in the beginning. This trick allows you to maintain your tax obligations while maximizing liquid funds for unit upkeep or early market investments. As the spice tax increases later in the game, you’ll likely need to divert most of your harvest to taxes—but in the early stages, this micromanagement is a golden opportunity for economic leverage.

4. Befriend the Local Sietches for Tactical Advantages

The local sietches are not just neutral obstacles—they can become valuable allies. Offering them water can open up trade routes and solidify relationships. This leads to various benefits: protection from raids, unique bonuses depending on the sietch, and even access to additional resources. These alliances are especially valuable early in the game, when your territory is still vulnerable. While not mandatory, they provide strategic flexibility and are often worth the modest water cost to establish.

5. Stay Flexible with Your Victory Goals

One of the defining traits of Dune: Spice Wars is that victory can come in many forms—and not always the one you started with. You may begin the game aiming for domination, only to find yourself a few steps from a Hegemony victory. Or perhaps your political maneuvering opens a path to Choam success. The key is to remain adaptable. Don’t let rigid adherence to one strategy blind you to quicker or more attainable win conditions that emerge as the game evolves. Being opportunistic can be the difference between a narrow loss and a surprise win.

6. Monitor the Choam Market Closely

Even if you’re not pursuing a Choam victory, the Choam market is a potent tool for economic manipulation. Prices fluctuate, offering you the chance to buy low and sell high. This system can serve as a steady income stream, especially if you make shrewd trades. Investing early may stretch your economy a bit thin, but those who keep an eye on the market can reap significant profits. And if you are aiming for a Choam victory, early participation becomes even more critical. Either way, this panel should never be ignored.

7. Always Keep the Game Moving

Dune: Spice Wars can sometimes feel slow, especially during quieter mid-game periods. But there’s always something that can be optimized—scouting, troop positioning, adjusting resources, or prepping for your next expansion. If you feel like you’re just waiting around, consider increasing the game speed to move through idle moments more quickly. Each match can take hours, and smart time management keeps you focused and engaged. Don’t let downtime lull you into a false sense of security—use it to your advantage.

Final Thoughts

The depth and complexity of Dune: Spice Wars are what make it so rewarding, but they can also be intimidating to newcomers. These seven tips distill some of the most crucial insights that can shape a successful game. Pay attention to politics, maximize your buildings, control your spice economy, build smart alliances, stay flexible, manipulate the market, and never sit idle. Master these fundamentals, and you’ll not only survive Arrakis—you’ll learn to rule it.