War for arrakis is faster to play. This alone makes it easier to get to the table on a weekday where maybe I don't have time for war of the ring. But otherwise, war of the ring is overall the better game.
I definitely like the 2-win condition objectives, it's one of the things I also dislike about Star Wars Rebellion. I have won games in War of the Ring because the Sauron player focused too much on deploying troops to the territories they were trying to conquer and left their citadels undefended; you manage to sneak in from Rivendell and take Moria etc. It is an equivalent out outflanking or surprise attack. It is a great mechanic in the game. The cards in Dune don't feel that impactful, often times they feel like they aren't the right card for the moment and are better used for discard considering it takes a dice to use one in an already very limited dice pool.
I think the length of the game is a very important aspect to consider, too. WotR requires double the time needed to play Dune: WfA, and that can mark the difference for a lot of people. This is especially relevant as Dune: WfA, although having less strategic depth than WotR as you mentioned, it still has an important learning curve and tons of strategic decisions, which I consider a great success in designing.
Having not played WfA I would still have to agree, the best game is the one you get to play. I LOVE WotR but it's hard to get to the table. Hoping either to indoctrinate a friend to WotR or get WfA.
This! I have played WotR 3 times in like 10 years because of this and the sometimes very tiny rules … I have played Dune 3 times in the last 6 months alone.
@@tylerferrara6612 WOTR is way easier to get to the table via TTS, there is no setup or teardown and it means you can sometimes play 2 games in 3 hours. It's rare I will recommend TTS over real life but this is one of those instances where fi you are short on time it makes sense.
@@tylerferrara6612 you can't send links on TH-cam but it's called 'War Of The Ring (Scripted by DevKev)'. It not only has all of the expansions but also has very cool sound effects for when things happen from the movies.
I agree with you on all points , but for some reason my freind and I who have played a handful of WotR and a couple of Dune , are coming back to Dune only because its NEW .... both games are great .
I really like both games, which is what I’m seeing in a lot of these comments. That’s pretty cool. WotR is a deeper game strategically but it takes more time and has a higher relearning curve. WfA is generally easier and quicker so it’s usually the one I’ll take.
Super timely video. I’ve been going back & forth on Dune pre-order. I’ve played & like War of the Ring, wasn’t sure exactly how it compared to Dune. Current thought is go War of the Ring, and go to Rebellion for my lighter option depending on who I’m playing with… Will think on this… I would happily watch this same video with a three way comparison with Rebellion. If Dune’s solo option is worth it, if I never play it against another person. I haven’t found a strong *review* of Dune’s solo mode yet…
I actually made a WotR vs Rebellion video, and I put WotR on top in that one as well if I remember correctly. Personally I like Arrakis better than Rebellion, but they're all good.
It is a very nice comparison video, well explained. Personally I also own Age of Conan (same designers, same action dice pool, but this time shared, asymmetrical factions, interesting combat) and I don't get why it doesn't receive some love or why ppl don't say it's name while talking about Dune:Wfa/Wotr like they never made another wargame with the Wotr system before today. it's a nice game
Age of conan is a completely different game best with 4 players and different factions. I do not See parallels to an assymetric 2 Player master piece Like wotr rebellion or dune
@@yoooda-tz6zk Premise: It's not very important or life changing to me, but man, it's a :1) wargame, 2) from the same designers, and 3) same action selection system XD.... you just don't want to see the parallels imho. Also wotr is a great 4 player game, tbh it's not restricted to 2p at all.
I had both, played both about 5 times each with the same opponent. I would rate them both 9.5. I did sell WotR though, it takes longer to set up, longer to play, it sucks for new players, sucks to teach, sucks to play against a new player. I would recommend Dune most of the time. If you love the IP of either, then go with that one.
I appreciate this video, I love how you did your very best to be impartial even though I think you have a clear favorite in terms of the IP. I’m more partial to the Dune IP bc I’ve known of its existence since the very first movie came out in 1984 with Sting traumatizing me in the process since I was 9 yo at the time. Another great video, Shea ❤️😘😊
Thanks! And yeah, I definitely have a preference for the IP, but I'm also just a fan of thematic integration in games, regardless of how much I like the original, so that was really important to talk about.
Having only played Dune once I have to say I prefer it to WoR, although I also love this game and the fact that I can play both. The Dune theme, having read the books and being a fan of the movies, just appeals to me much more than LOTR, which I also like. Another breaking point for me, rather than the mechanics which are different but equally great IMO, is the Rulebook and overall playability, it just makes for a waaaaay smoother gameplay and with much less interruptions to check the rules than in War of the Ring. Both of them are TOP 15 material of all time in my opinion, so no need to choose among the 2😂
Another category to consider is asymmetrical play. The Fremen vs Harkonnen play much differently. Love how the Fremen have high movement via sandworms enabling quick sabotages and taking advantage of weak spots on the map. Leveraging sandworms for strength and defense is just fun as well, adding another layer. The Harkonnen are much stronger militarily, but weaker in mobility. AND the environment is challenging for the Harkonnen too. War of the ring is basically just weak army vs strong army militarily... Point goes to War for Arrakis. Overall I think War for Arrakis is a better designed game, and i appreciate how much faster it is. Both are 10s for me.
100% agree on WotR's theme just hitting so much harder. I own both though and I'll probably play Dune: War for Arrakis more since the rules/rulebook are just so much better. WotR has some jank in there that's always kind of a nightmare whenever I go to relearn it. Absolutely love WotR too, but if I'm not playing with someone that already knows it, I'm gonna go Dune every time instead.
WoTR is better, its my favorite board game of all time. But Dune: WFA is way easier to play. Id recommend WoTR if you have a dedicated person to play with that the two of you can just really get into the game, and Dune for those who dont have that. Also Dunes 3 and 4 player rules are just so much better.
I agree overall, WotR is a deeper more interesting game but WfA is just easier to get to the table. I’ve already played it more than I’ve played WotR. Though another point for WfA that’s worth noting is the leaders provide special actions, which gives them more character imo than the minions and companions in WotR.
Both are awesome games. Dune is faster and easier to play so it’ll see more plays, however WOTR is just amazing and dripping with theme. My thoughts both are awesome and satisfy based on which IP I feel like diving into. Both are worthy games for the shelf.
There’s a card that could let you kill him with a hunter seeker, or a sardaukar assassin could take him out with shigawire. Doesn’t win you the game though :(
I have played and own both games and expansions for both games and I have to say there’s no situation where I want to play Dune over War of the Ring. The lack of dual win conditions is a huge let down for me.
War for arrakis is faster to play. This alone makes it easier to get to the table on a weekday where maybe I don't have time for war of the ring. But otherwise, war of the ring is overall the better game.
I love how Frodo is addicted to the spice now. 😂
Soon we will have a three way tie between WotR, Rebellion and DUNE: WfA as the best two player board game.
Nope.
I definitely like the 2-win condition objectives, it's one of the things I also dislike about Star Wars Rebellion. I have won games in War of the Ring because the Sauron player focused too much on deploying troops to the territories they were trying to conquer and left their citadels undefended; you manage to sneak in from Rivendell and take Moria etc. It is an equivalent out outflanking or surprise attack. It is a great mechanic in the game. The cards in Dune don't feel that impactful, often times they feel like they aren't the right card for the moment and are better used for discard considering it takes a dice to use one in an already very limited dice pool.
I think the length of the game is a very important aspect to consider, too. WotR requires double the time needed to play Dune: WfA, and that can mark the difference for a lot of people. This is especially relevant as Dune: WfA, although having less strategic depth than WotR as you mentioned, it still has an important learning curve and tons of strategic decisions, which I consider a great success in designing.
Having not played WfA I would still have to agree, the best game is the one you get to play. I LOVE WotR but it's hard to get to the table. Hoping either to indoctrinate a friend to WotR or get WfA.
This! I have played WotR 3 times in like 10 years because of this and the sometimes very tiny rules … I have played Dune 3 times in the last 6 months alone.
@@tylerferrara6612 WOTR is way easier to get to the table via TTS, there is no setup or teardown and it means you can sometimes play 2 games in 3 hours. It's rare I will recommend TTS over real life but this is one of those instances where fi you are short on time it makes sense.
Do you have a link for your preferred version?
@@tylerferrara6612 you can't send links on TH-cam but it's called 'War Of The Ring (Scripted by DevKev)'. It not only has all of the expansions but also has very cool sound effects for when things happen from the movies.
I agree with you on all points , but for some reason my freind and I who have played a handful of WotR and a couple of Dune , are coming back to Dune only because its NEW .... both games are great .
I really like both games, which is what I’m seeing in a lot of these comments. That’s pretty cool. WotR is a deeper game strategically but it takes more time and has a higher relearning curve. WfA is generally easier and quicker so it’s usually the one I’ll take.
Super timely video. I’ve been going back & forth on Dune pre-order. I’ve played & like War of the Ring, wasn’t sure exactly how it compared to Dune.
Current thought is go War of the Ring, and go to Rebellion for my lighter option depending on who I’m playing with…
Will think on this…
I would happily watch this same video with a three way comparison with Rebellion. If Dune’s solo option is worth it, if I never play it against another person. I haven’t found a strong *review* of Dune’s solo mode yet…
I actually made a WotR vs Rebellion video, and I put WotR on top in that one as well if I remember correctly. Personally I like Arrakis better than Rebellion, but they're all good.
@@RTFM oh ill go watch that. Thanks!
EZBoardGames (another great youtube BG channel) also just posted a bug comparison of these games in a lot more depth, check it out!
It is a very nice comparison video, well explained. Personally I also own Age of Conan (same designers, same action dice pool, but this time shared, asymmetrical factions, interesting combat) and I don't get why it doesn't receive some love or why ppl don't say it's name while talking about Dune:Wfa/Wotr like they never made another wargame with the Wotr system before today. it's a nice game
To be honest, I haven't played Age of Conan and didn't know they used similar mechanics. I'll have to check that out some time.
Age of conan is a completely different game best with 4 players and different factions. I do not See parallels to an assymetric 2 Player master piece Like wotr rebellion or dune
@@yoooda-tz6zk Premise: It's not very important or life changing to me, but man, it's a :1) wargame, 2) from the same designers, and 3) same action selection system XD.... you just don't want to see the parallels imho. Also wotr is a great 4 player game, tbh it's not restricted to 2p at all.
I had both, played both about 5 times each with the same opponent.
I would rate them both 9.5. I did sell WotR though, it takes longer to set up, longer to play, it sucks for new players, sucks to teach, sucks to play against a new player.
I would recommend Dune most of the time. If you love the IP of either, then go with that one.
I appreciate this video, I love how you did your very best to be impartial even though I think you have a clear favorite in terms of the IP.
I’m more partial to the Dune IP bc I’ve known of its existence since the very first movie came out in 1984 with Sting traumatizing me in the process since I was 9 yo at the time.
Another great video, Shea ❤️😘😊
Thanks! And yeah, I definitely have a preference for the IP, but I'm also just a fan of thematic integration in games, regardless of how much I like the original, so that was really important to talk about.
Having only played Dune once I have to say I prefer it to WoR, although I also love this game and the fact that I can play both. The Dune theme, having read the books and being a fan of the movies, just appeals to me much more than LOTR, which I also like. Another breaking point for me, rather than the mechanics which are different but equally great IMO, is the Rulebook and overall playability, it just makes for a waaaaay smoother gameplay and with much less interruptions to check the rules than in War of the Ring.
Both of them are TOP 15 material of all time in my opinion, so no need to choose among the 2😂
I have both of em with all add ons, and i can say that, its 'must have' for me! Both of em are great and legendary.
Another category to consider is asymmetrical play. The Fremen vs Harkonnen play much differently. Love how the Fremen have high movement via sandworms enabling quick sabotages and taking advantage of weak spots on the map. Leveraging sandworms for strength and defense is just fun as well, adding another layer. The Harkonnen are much stronger militarily, but weaker in mobility. AND the environment is challenging for the Harkonnen too. War of the ring is basically just weak army vs strong army militarily... Point goes to War for Arrakis. Overall I think War for Arrakis is a better designed game, and i appreciate how much faster it is. Both are 10s for me.
I had to pause and do a comical double-take as soon as spice-addicted Frodo showed up
Great comparison!
Thanks!
100% agree on WotR's theme just hitting so much harder.
I own both though and I'll probably play Dune: War for Arrakis more since the rules/rulebook are just so much better. WotR has some jank in there that's always kind of a nightmare whenever I go to relearn it. Absolutely love WotR too, but if I'm not playing with someone that already knows it, I'm gonna go Dune every time instead.
the rulebook for WOTR is pretty terrible
Dune fixed how to smooth out bad rolls in a pretty engaging way. I still like War of the Ring more though.
EZBoardGames (another great youtube BG channel) also just posted a bug comparison of these games in a lot more depth, check it out!
This was a very useful video. Thanks dude
Happy to help!
WoTR is better, its my favorite board game of all time. But Dune: WFA is way easier to play. Id recommend WoTR if you have a dedicated person to play with that the two of you can just really get into the game, and Dune for those who dont have that. Also Dunes 3 and 4 player rules are just so much better.
I agree overall, WotR is a deeper more interesting game but WfA is just easier to get to the table. I’ve already played it more than I’ve played WotR. Though another point for WfA that’s worth noting is the leaders provide special actions, which gives them more character imo than the minions and companions in WotR.
That is a good point. Though I'd say that the minions' and companions' special abilities in WotR make up for that a bit.
played both of them many times - equally great.
whoever is looking at Dune, just take the base game, more than enough
Both are awesome games. Dune is faster and easier to play so it’ll see more plays, however WOTR is just amazing and dripping with theme. My thoughts both are awesome and satisfy based on which IP I feel like diving into. Both are worthy games for the shelf.
Could you make a comparison with both games and Star Wars Rebellion?
Probably won't be doing that, but I did make a comparison video for SWR and WotR a little while back.
I now need a house rule for successfully killing Paul in WfA (don't know how easy this is as I haven't played it yet)
There’s a card that could let you kill him with a hunter seeker, or a sardaukar assassin could take him out with shigawire. Doesn’t win you the game though :(
War for the ring just gets you into the middle earth oeuvre.
Im waiting patiently for Kings Of MIddle-Earth expansions rule video
There's a decent chance I'll be working on that in December.
War of the ring is just too good once you know the mechanics. If you like the IP it’s just like playing the books. So so good. Never the same!
One does not simply walk into Mordor
interesting to get this before Kings of Middle Earth expansion if that is a video to come
I have played and own both games and expansions for both games and I have to say there’s no situation where I want to play Dune over War of the Ring. The lack of dual win conditions is a huge let down for me.
Agreed. ALso check out EZBoardGames comparison review.
Agree
After 20 years of WotR, I still get giddy about playing it. D:WfA is fun and certainly faster, but nowhere near as satisfying.
War of the Ring is to deeply tied to the lore. I struggke to remeber faction and locstions.
War for Arrakas just has a much simpler barrier fir enty.