Dune: Spice Wars is an intricate strategy game where resource management, politics, and military strength dictate your path to victory. Navigating the hostile desert planet of Arrakis is no simple task, and finding the most efficient way to secure spice while preparing for mid to late-game challenges can feel overwhelming. This guide will focus on a beginner-friendly economic build designed to set you up for long-term success. While the build is tailored for economic strength, it has broad applications that can support various victory conditions.

For this guide, we’ll be using House Atreides, which is an excellent faction for beginners due to its strong political standing and balanced military capabilities. The selected counselors, Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho, enhance military effectiveness and diplomatic relations, providing flexibility as the game progresses. With that foundation in place, let’s break down the step-by-step approach to securing a strong economy and positioning yourself for victory.

Step 1: Identify and Secure Your First Spice Field

The first priority in any game of Dune: Spice Wars is securing a spice field. Spice is the most valuable resource, acting as both a currency generator and a tax obligation. Fortunately, there is usually a spice field near your headquarters. Use your Ornithopter to scout surrounding tiles to determine the most accessible village near the spice field. Once identified, prepare to capture it.

While scouting, immediately begin training your initial military force. A balanced start is to recruit a Trooper and a Ranger, or the equivalent faction-specific units. These should be ready by the time your scouting efforts reveal the best target village. When engaging, focus melee units on enemy ranged militia first, as ranged attackers lose effectiveness in melee combat. Once the village is captured, immediately begin construction on a Refinery to start generating spice income.

Step 2: Establish Economic Stability – Plascrete and Water

With spice production secured, the next critical step is to establish a stable economy. Plascrete is a fundamental building material, required for nearly all structures. If there is a nearby village with a minerals node, prioritize its capture next, as it will significantly aid long-term development.

If no plascrete-rich tile is available, an alternative is to capture a village with a resource bonus, such as increased Solari production, which will help sustain your economy. As plascrete and spice income stabilize, shift focus toward acquiring wind traps. Water is a crucial resource for expansion and trade, and wind traps should be placed in areas with a wind strength of at least 4 for maximum efficiency.

Step 3: Advance Research and Optimize Growth

Once the wind traps are placed, research modular parts technology to optimize spice production. This also prepares you for future headquarters expansions. The next priority should be capturing any special nodes nearby, as they provide unique economic or research bonuses. These rare tiles not only boost resource efficiency but also generate hegemony, which is crucial for unlocking powerful upgrades later in the game.

A primary goal is to reach 2,500 hegemony to unlock district slots in your headquarters. The first district should be dedicated to economic bonuses, with key buildings such as the Spice Harvester Upgrade and the Maintenance Hall, which reduces upkeep costs. While these structures take time and resources to build, their long-term benefits significantly outweigh their initial investment.

Step 4: Strategic Placement of Spies and Influence Management

By this stage, you will have access to spies, which play an essential role in Solari generation and political influence. Initially, assign your first spies to either CHOAM or the Landsraad Council, as Atreides thrives in political standing. The influence gained here will benefit Solari income and future council votes. Spread additional spies between these and Arrakis-related intelligence as more become available.

Additionally, if a CHOAM victory is part of your strategy, begin purchasing CHOAM shares whenever possible. Buying early and selling later can be a profitable way to manage resources efficiently. If your focus is political victory, continue improving your standing with the Landsraad and securing influential charters that provide strategic advantages.

Step 5: Flexible Victory Paths and Adapting to the Late Game

With your economy solidified, your path to victory will depend on game developments and opponent actions.

• CHOAM Victory: Focus on maximizing Solari production while acquiring more CHOAM shares. Invest in structures that either reduce upkeep costs or generate additional Solari.
• Political Victory: Atreides benefits from passive political gains. Accumulate hegemony and maintain strong Landsraad standing to bypass certain charter requirements at 10,000 hegemony.
• Domination Victory: While this build prioritizes the economy, military forces will be strong enough to shift toward aggressive expansion if needed. The economic foundation allows rapid troop recruitment and supply management.
• Hegemony Victory: Paying taxes on time, expanding village control, and maintaining strong authority will naturally build hegemony. This balanced approach requires a mix of economy, military, and politics.

Final Checklist: Beginner Build Summary

1. Identify and capture a spice village to start generating income.
2. Scout nearby villages for valuable resources, focusing on plascrete if possible.
3. Train two military units to secure early territorial expansions.
4. Research wind traps and establish strong water production.
5. Capture a plascrete node village, or an alternative resource-producing village.
6. Place wind traps in high-wind-strength areas for efficiency.
7. Research modular parts to boost spice production and prepare for headquarters expansion.
8. Capture special resource nodes for economic and hegemony benefits.
9. Build an Administrative Hall and Spice Harvester Upgrade at headquarters for an economic boost.
10. Assign spies strategically to CHOAM or the Landsraad for financial and political benefits.
11. Begin acquiring CHOAM shares for economic leverage later in the game.

Conclusion

This economic build provides a strong foundation for mid to late-game success, allowing flexible adaptation to various victory conditions. While no single strategy guarantees victory, maintaining a strong economy ensures resilience and adaptability in the unpredictable sands of Arrakis. Adjust as necessary based on game developments, and remember that the best path to victory may not always be the one you originally planned.

By following these steps, you will have a strong and well-rounded economy capable of supporting your chosen victory condition, whether through financial dominance, political influence, or military conquest.

Good luck, and may your spice flow endlessly!