Sands v0.2.0 - The Liberation of Arrakis

🎉 Major Release: The War for Arrakis Reaches Its Climax

Version 0.2.0 represents a massive expansion of Sands, culminating in the epic assault on Arrakeen and the liberation of Arrakis from Harkonnen rule. This release introduces territorial warfare, battle expeditions, new locations, legendary characters, and the climactic conclusion to Book One of the Dune saga.

⚔️ Epic Final Assault on Arrakeen

Three-Phase Campaign

The final assault on the Harkonnen capital unfolds across three massive battle zones:

• Arrakeen Streets - Break through the outer defenses and liberate the occupied city streets
• Arrakeen Spaceport - Seize control of the landing zones, cutting off enemy reinforcements
• Arrakeen Palace - Storm the throne room and face the ultimate confrontation

Each phase features unique combat scenarios, elite Sardaukar defenders, and escalating challenges as you push deeper into Harkonnen territory.

The Climactic Duel

At the heart of Arrakeen Palace, witness and participate in the legendary duel between Paul Muad’Dib and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. This epic cinematic confrontation features:

• Dynamic combat with orbit movement and dramatic exchanges
• Multiple phases with escalating tension
• Spectator reactions from Fedaykin warriors
• Victory rituals and celebration scenes

The outcome determines the fate of Arrakis itself.

🗺️ Territorial Warfare System

Faction Control

The world map now displays real-time territorial control between Fremen and Harkonnen forces:

• Fremen Territory - Secure zones under your control, providing safe passage and resources
• Harkonnen Strongholds - Enemy-held territories with increased danger
• Contested Zones - Battlegrounds where control is actively contested

Territory control affects:

• Encounter difficulty and enemy spawn rates
• Sietch water sustainability
• Guild bribe costs
• Random event triggers

Battle Expeditions

Launch strategic strikes against enemy-held territories without leaving the safety of your sietch:

• Send Strike Teams - Deploy Fedaykin warriors to capture territories remotely

• Three Expedition Tiers:

  • Regular Strike Team (6 water, 2 spice) - Standard Fedaykin forces
  • Veteran Warriors (8 water, 3 spice, +20% success) - Elite fighters with superior equipment
  • Southern Tribe Warriors (12 water, 5 spice, +40% success) - Heavy weapons specialists

• Strategic Planning - View success chances based on:

  • Territory type (Harkonnen stronghold vs contested)
  • Adjacent friendly/enemy territories
  • Expedition tier and equipment
  • Distance from your position

• Join the Attack - Personally lead assaults by joining active expeditions, triggering epic battle raid scenes

Battle Raid Scenes

When you join an attack, experience large-scale combat encounters:

• Fight alongside Fremen allies against Harkonnen forces
• Dynamic battlefield positioning with allies and enemies
• Victory rewards territory control and strategic advantages
• Defeat consequences affect territorial control and resource costs

Battle Map Selector

A new interactive map interface for planning military operations:

• Visual representation of all attackable targets
• Real-time success chance calculations
• Territory control overlay
• Active expedition tracking
• Resource cost previews

🌵 New Locations

South Sietch

Journey to the deepest desert to discover the South Sietch, home of the ancient scattered tribes:

• Council Chamber - Meet with tribal elders and witness the Gathering of the Tribes
• Elder Quarters - Ancient wisdom keepers preserving the oldest Fremen traditions
• Water Vaults - Deepest water reserves, collected over generations
• Tribal Gathering Space - Community areas for ceremonies and inter-tribe trade

This location is crucial for uniting the scattered tribes under Muad’Dib’s banner.

Arrakeen Complex

The Harkonnen capital now features three distinct battle zones:

• Arrakeen Streets - Urban combat through bazaars and alleyways
• Arrakeen Spaceport - Strategic landing zones with heavy defenses
• Arrakeen Palace - The throne room where the final confrontation awaits

Each location features unique architecture, collision zones, and combat scenarios.

👥 Legendary Characters

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen

The Baron’s heir and gladiator of Giedi Prime makes his appearance as the final boss:

• Boss-Level Stats - 150 health, elite combat abilities
• Gladiator Training - Deadly combat techniques from the arena pits
• Signature Abilities - Bleed Strike, Intimidating Roar, Dance of Death

Council Elder

Meet the ancient leader of the southern tribes:

• Quest Giver - Provides critical quests for uniting the scattered tribes
• Tribal Authority - Represents the oldest Fremen traditions
• War Council - Coordinates southern tribe warriors for the final assault

Sardaukar Soldiers

The Emperor’s elite warriors now guard key locations:

• Elite Stats - Significantly stronger than standard Harkonnen troops
• Imperial Equipment - Superior weapons and armor
• Strategic Positions - Defend Lost Caves and Arrakeen Palace
• Rare Loot - Valuable drops from defeated Sardaukar

📜 New Quest Chains

Path of Muad’Dib

A comprehensive quest chain guiding you from territorial control to the final assault

The Hidden Cache Quest

Discover Duke Leto’s final insurance against extinction:

• Locate the Atomic Stockpile in the Lost Caves
• Trigger massive Harkonnen withdrawal across Arrakis
• All territories except Arrakeen itself flip to Fremen control
• Narrative shortcut preventing end-game grind
• Sets the stage for the final assault

🎬 New Scenes & Cinematics

Gathering of the Tribes

Witness the unification of the scattered southern tribes:

• Tribal elders gather in the council chamber
• Jessica’s arrival and relocation to South Sietch
• Pledge of southern warriors to Muad’Dib’s cause
• Unlocks the Southern Tribe Warriors expedition tier

Muad’Dib War Council

Attend the war council where Paul plans the open conflict:

• Paul, Stilgar, and Jessica coordinate the assault
• Fremen warriors form a council circle
• War chants and battle preparations
• Sets the stage for territorial warfare

Paul vs Feyd-Rautha Duel

The climactic confrontation features:

• Extended opening sequence with dramatic positioning
• Dynamic orbit movement during combat
• Multiple combat phases with escalating intensity
• Prescience mechanics and plot armor moments
• Spectator reactions from Fedaykin witnesses
• Extended victory ritual with chants and celebrations

Arrakeen Victory Scene

Celebrate the liberation of Arrakis:

• Fedaykin warriors gather in the palace
• Paul’s proclamation of freedom
• Stilgar’s acknowledgment of victory
• War chants echoing through the halls
• Book One conclusion

🎮 Enhanced Gameplay Systems

Improved Battle System

• Battle Map Selector - Interactive map for planning attacks with visual feedback
• Visual Battle Indicators - See active expeditions and battle progress on the map
• Success Chance Calculations - Strategic planning with detailed modifiers and color-coded chances
• Resource Management - Balance water and spice costs for expeditions
• Join Attacks - Personally lead assaults by joining active expeditions
• Battle Raid Scenes - Large-scale combat encounters when joining attacks
• Victory/Defeat Feedback - Visual on-screen indicators for battle outcomes

Enhanced Daily Quests

Expanded daily quest system with practical sietch work:

• Daily Water Ration - Distribute water to water ring holders (sacred ritual exchange)
• Maintain Wind Traps - Donate broken parts for maintenance
• Gather Spice for Sietch - Contribute to the spice stockpile
• Practice Weirding Way - Combat training through enemy encounters
• Improved quest variety, rewards, and narrative integration

Ecology Integration

• Ecology progress now affects adjacent territory control
• Sprouting tiles help secure surrounding areas for Fremen
• Territorial control influences ecology growth rates
• Turn gating removed - ecology progress advances based on gameplay, not turns

Random Encounters

• Encounters now scale with territory control
• Fremen allies spawn in friendly territories
• Harkonnen reinforcements in enemy-held areas
• Control tension affects encounter difficulty

Worm Riding Enhancement

• Extended Worm Ride Range - Complete the “Tipping Point” quest to unlock extended travel distance
• Base range: 5 tiles
• Extended range: 9 tiles (unlocked at 60% territorial control)
• Faster exploration and strategic movement across the map
• Essential for reaching the deep south and coordinating large-scale operations

🎨 Visual Enhancements

New Assets

• Feyd-Rautha sprite - The Baron’s heir
• Sardaukar sprite - Imperial elite soldiers
• Atomic Stockpile - Atreides atomic containers
• Arrakeen Locations - Streets, spaceport, and palace backgrounds

UI Improvements

• Battle map selector with detailed information panels
• Territory control legend
• Expedition tier selection interface
• Success chance visualization with color coding
• Victory/defeat screen overlays

📊 Statistics

• 9 New Quests in the Path of Muad’Dib chain
• 3 New Battle Zones in Arrakeen
• 3 New NPCs (Feyd-Rautha, Council Elder, Sardaukar)
• 4 New Scenes (Gathering, War Council, Duel, Victory)
• 3 Expedition Tiers with unique characteristics
• 1 New Location (South Sietch)
• 1 New Entity Type (Atomic Stockpile)
• Territorial Control System affecting gameplay across the map

🙏 Thank You

Thank you for playing Sands and experiencing the journey from Fremen initiate to liberator of Arrakis. Your feedback and support make this project possible.

The desert has spoken. Muad’Dib reigns.