How Do You Play Dune: Adventures in the Imperium?

After players create characters, the GM will introduce the scenario those characters find themselves in. Players then describe or play out what their characters say and do, and the GM tells them how the world responds. In moments of drama, action, or uncertainty, the GM may require them to roll dice to test their skills to see whether they succeed, fail, or something in between. 

In Dune, players roll multiple 20-sided dice, leverage their assets and spend resources to overcome challenges and threats. Each roll is aided by both the character’s skill and their drive—what values and ambitions motivate them to take a given action. They may face enemy combatants in duels, skirmishes, and warfare; test their survival skills on harsh desert planets; face down a barreling giant sandworm; investigate the complex schemes of their political rivals; and ultimately maneuver to secure ever greater power and status for themselves and their house. Dune: Adventures in the Imperium includes rules for both “agent-level” play, where player characters directly influence the game’s events, as well as “architect-level,” where they leverage their assets and move their pieces on the board to accomplish their aims from afar.

How to Play Dune: Adventures in the Imperium Online

Despite the name, you don’t actually need a table to play tabletop roleplaying games! Digital tools allow players to play games like Dune anytime, anywhere. Voice and video communication platforms like Zoom and Discord let groups play face-to-face, even remotely. And even though most TTRPGs can be played wholly in players’ imaginations (a style called “theater of the mind”), many use virtual tabletops, or VTTs, to provide visual aids. Maps, character artwork, and battlefields for strategic combat encounters can all enhance the experience of a roleplaying game, and there are dozens of VTTs to choose from to suit any group’s individual needs. Dune: Adventures in the Imperium has digital play aids on several VTTs, including Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, and Foundry, to make learning the rules and playing the game as smooth and intuitive as possible!

How to Find a Dune: Adventures in the Imperium Group

Finding a group of people to play with, especially as a beginner, can feel like a daunting task. Don’t worry! The hobby is growing faster than ever, and with plenty of gaming groups who eagerly welcome new players. You might start by visiting your local game store, which may have an active community of players you can join, a place to advertise open seats for games, or even a scheduled night of organized play you can drop into. Online communities focused on RPGs frequently have “Looking for Group” (LFG) forums or channels dedicated to helping players find the right game for them. Reddit and Discord are common places to look, as are the community forums for digital tools like Roll20, and Modiphius, the game’s publisher. Not to mention here at StartPlaying, where we’ve created a powerful, user-friendly tool for browsing open games on your schedule and simply signing up to play! Finally, if you have a group of friends who are interested and willing to learn, it’s completely feasible to jump in feet first, learning the game as you go. Of course, someone will need to take on the mantle of the Game Master.

Why Hire A Professional Game Master for Dune: Adventures in the Imperium?

The easiest way to learn Dune: Adventures in the Imperium is by playing, and the easiest way to play is by finding a Game Master to teach you. Professional GMs can call upon years of expertise to not only introduce players to the hobby and make them feel welcomed, but also give immersive and incredible experiences to players old and new. This isn’t easy; creating scenarios that present real challenges, invite creative solutions, include an ensemble cast of compelling characters, and result in a satisfying narrative for any choice the players make is a substantial craft to master! Not to mention most TTRPGs have no pre-planned plot or storyline to follow, and often requires a Game Master to skillfully improvise and weave their players’ actions into a constantly evolving narrative. Nevertheless, professional GMs dedicate themselves to offering the one-of-a-kind experience that only RPGs can: being the hero of a story where your choices really matter. These pro GMs are the fastest and easiest way to jump directly into the fun of roleplaying games; they can teach you the rules, create an amazing adventure, and guide you into the endless possibilities of the TTRPG hobby.