BoardGameArchiveDune: Imperium Expansions & Compatibility
Rise of Ix, Immortality, Bloodlines and Conspiracy compared — plus what works with Uprising and which expansion to choose first.
Rise of Ix, Immortality, Bloodlines and Conspiracy compared — plus what works with Uprising and which expansion to choose first.
There are now four named expansion products for Dire Wolf’s Dune: Imperium game line, including the upcoming Conspiracy preorder. Their mechanics are very different: high-tech shipping, Tleilaxu research, Sardaukar and contract options, and hidden political plans. The biggest purchase decision is which standalone foundation you own: original Dune: Imperium or Uprising.
Which Dune: Imperium expansions should you buy?
Rise of Ix is the clearest choice for players who want a more complex shared board, Dreadnoughts, technologies and shipping. Immortality is focused on card combinations through the Bene Tleilax research and grafting systems. Bloodlines adds Sardaukar Commanders, new Leaders, technology and fresh content designed to work with either Dune: Imperium base box.
Conspiracy is the newly announced option, available to preorder as of October 26, 2026, with six new Leaders, a Conspiracy-card draft and optional Overthrow mode. Its full release and delivery timing should not be inferred from preorder status.
Uprising is not a required expansion. It is a separate standalone base game with spies, sandworms, contracts and a six-player team mode. You can begin with either the original Imperium or Uprising, then add compatible expansions.
Dune: Imperium expansion comparison table
| Product | Type | Major additions | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rise of Ix | Expansion | Dreadnoughts, Ix technology, shipping, Leaders and cards | More board strategy and new long-term commitments |
| Immortality | Expansion | Tleilaxu research, specimens, grafting, Family Atomics | More elaborate card combinations and research paths |
| Bloodlines | Expansion | New Leaders, Sardaukar Commanders, Tech, Contracts and other content | Fresh systems for either base game |
| Conspiracy | Upcoming expansion (preorder) | Six Leaders, 46 Imperium cards, Conspiracy drafts, spies and Overthrow mode | New political planning and a one-versus-all mode |
| Uprising | Standalone game | New board, cards, spies, contracts, sandworms, optional six-player teams | An alternative complete starting point |
This compares mechanisms and compatibility rather than predicting which box will perform best at your table. For unreleased Conspiracy content, descriptions are based on the publisher’s October 2026 previews and may change.
Compatibility: original Dune: Imperium versus Uprising
| Product | Original Imperium | Uprising | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rise of Ix | Compatible | Compatible | Follow Uprising’s revised board-overlay and observation-post setup |
| Immortality | Compatible | Compatible | Use the research, specimen and grafting setup specific to your foundation |
| Bloodlines | Compatible | Compatible | Explicitly designed for both foundations |
| Conspiracy | Publisher-confirmed | Publisher-confirmed | Preorder expansion; detailed setup and new modes remain subject to final rules |
| Uprising itself | Not required | Standalone | You do not need the original Imperium box to play Uprising |
Dire Wolf’s official rules and FAQ downloads provide specific compatibility instructions. Both Rise of Ix and Immortality can be played with Uprising, but not by assuming every component is set up exactly as in the original game. The publisher’s Bloodlines diary confirms both foundations, and its Conspiracy diary explicitly confirms the new expansion can be played with either or with other expansions.
Do you need Dune: Imperium or Uprising as the base game?
You need one compatible standalone foundation to play these expansion boxes. The original Dune: Imperium is a complete worker-placement and deck-building game; Dune: Imperium – Uprising is also complete with its own board, deck, Leaders and player components.
Uprising is not a simple card pack for the original game. It changes the foundation with spies, contracts, sandworms and a team mode. Rise of Ix, Immortality and Bloodlines can be combined with either foundation when you follow the official instructions. Conspiracy has been announced for both as well.
If you already own Uprising, there is no need to buy original Dune: Imperium simply to play Bloodlines or Conspiracy. If you have the original Imperium, you can upgrade it with expansions without first purchasing Uprising. Read our detailed Uprising compatibility guide for the special setup rules.
Rise of Ix: technology, shipping and Dreadnoughts
Rise of Ix changes how players compete for board opportunities. Ix Technologies create new investments and longer-term synergies; the shipping track creates alternative rewards and timing; Dreadnoughts add a different kind of military presence to the conflicts.
It is the most natural first expansion if you want to adjust the base game’s board economy rather than primarily modifying your card combinations. With Uprising, use Dire Wolf’s explicit overlay and board-space compatibility instructions, including how observation posts work with the newer spy rules. The published Uprising guidance also explains why some old Conflict cards may not be ideal in an ordinary Uprising game.
Read the dedicated Rise of Ix guide for a fuller look at its mechanics.
Immortality: Bene Tleilax research and grafting
Immortality adds the Tleilaxu research track, specimen resources and a new source of cards. Its Graft mechanic lets you combine particular cards in ways that create different timing and deck-building opportunities. Family Atomics adds a once-per-game option to refresh the Imperium Row.
Choose Immortality if the most interesting part of Dune: Imperium for your group is improving card efficiency and building combinations. It is compatible with Uprising, using the publisher’s supplement for the newer foundation’s setup and interactions.
Bloodlines: Sardaukar Commanders, tech and contracts
Bloodlines was expressly designed for both original Dune: Imperium and Uprising. New Leaders, Sardaukar Commanders and expansion systems give experienced groups more tactical and developmental choices without requiring the other standalone box.
It is particularly useful for groups who play both versions and want an expansion purchase that follows them between foundations. The compatibility is confirmed in Dire Wolf’s Bloodlines design diary, rather than inferred from visual similarity between the games.
Conspiracy: what Dire Wolf announced in October 2026
Dire Wolf formally unveiled Dune: Imperium – Conspiracy on October 22, 2026, and opened preorders on October 26, 2026. It is a new expansion for both the original Imperium and Uprising, with the publisher saying it can be combined with other expansions.
Conspiracy brings six new Leaders and 46 Imperium cards, along with Conspiracy cards representing secret plans and political machinations. Under the publisher’s preview, each player drafts four Conspiracy cards during setup by choosing from a starting group and passing the rest to the next player. Spies and other interactions can support gathering intelligence or accessing new plans.
An optional Overthrow variant allows one player using a special Paul Atreides Leader to face a team of two or three opponents, who share their victory-point objective. The announcement also describes a new Swordmaster space for the original Imperium board.
Availability note: preorder availability is not the same as physical release or delivery. Product rules, final component lists and timing should be checked against Dire Wolf’s further updates. Sources: October 22 reveal and October 26 design diary.
Which Dune: Imperium expansion should you buy first?
| Your preference | Best expansion to consider | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You enjoy tension over board spaces and battles | Rise of Ix | Shipping, dreadnoughts and Ix technologies create new board priorities |
| You enjoy developing card combinations | Immortality | Tleilaxu research and grafting change card sequencing |
| You own Uprising and want more leaders and systems | Bloodlines | Designed for either foundation, including Uprising |
| You want new secret planning and team variants | Conspiracy — preorder | Secret drafts and the Overthrow mode; await finalized release if you need certainty |
| You own no Dune: Imperium game | Original or Uprising base game first | Expansion boxes do not replace the standalone board game |
There is no universally correct first expansion. The best choice depends on which part of the base game you want to expand, the modules your group already knows, and whether you want to keep using the same foundation.
Can you combine Rise of Ix, Immortality, Bloodlines and Conspiracy?
Dire Wolf’s digital game has supported using Rise of Ix and Immortality together with Uprising. Bloodlines was designed for either foundation. In its October 26 announcement, Dire Wolf also explicitly says Conspiracy can be played with either base game and any combination of other expansions.
That statement supports broad compatibility, but it does not mean you should improvise setup from memory. Different modules add boards, tracks, pieces and special card conditions. Consult the latest official rulebooks, Uprising supplements, FAQ and errata for the exact combination you choose.
For a group learning the game, introducing one module at a time makes its effect easier to understand. Mixing everything immediately is a viable advanced option where supported, but it increases setup time and rules overhead.
Common mistakes when choosing Dune: Imperium expansions
- Treating Uprising as an expansion box: it is a complete standalone foundation.
- Assuming Bloodlines only works with original Imperium: Dire Wolf explicitly designed it for Uprising too.
- Ignoring special Uprising setup: Rise of Ix and Immortality need the published compatibility procedures.
- Buying Conspiracy as if it already shipped: it became available for preorder in October 2026; check the physical release status.
- Combining modules without the official supplement: overlapping boards and variant rules can have exceptions.
- Buying expansions before a base game: none of the expansion-only boxes replaces the original or Uprising.
- Assuming more rules always improve the game: pick the module that matches your group’s interests and tolerance for complexity.
Dune: Imperium expansions FAQ
What are the main Dune: Imperium expansions?
Rise of Ix, Immortality and Bloodlines are established expansion boxes. Conspiracy is the newly announced expansion available for preorder since October 26, 2026.
Is Dune: Imperium – Uprising an expansion?
No. Uprising is a standalone game with its own board, card decks and rules. It is compatible with several expansions from the original line.
Can Rise of Ix be used with Uprising?
Yes. Follow Dire Wolf’s Uprising compatibility rules for the Ix board overlay, spies and related setup changes.
Can Immortality be used with Uprising?
Yes. The official rules support the Tleilaxu systems alongside Uprising’s spies, contracts and sandworms.
Does Bloodlines require the original Imperium?
No. Bloodlines is compatible with either original Dune: Imperium or Uprising.
Does Conspiracy work with both games?
Yes. Dire Wolf’s October 2026 announcement says it can be played with the original or Uprising, including combinations with other expansions.
When is Conspiracy available?
Preorders opened on October 26, 2026. A preorder is not proof the expansion has shipped; check the publisher for current delivery information.
What does Conspiracy add?
Six Leaders, 46 Imperium cards, a new Conspiracy-card draft, spy interactions and an optional one-versus-all Overthrow mode according to the publisher’s preview.
What is the best first expansion?
Rise of Ix is a sensible first choice for broader board tactics; Immortality is attractive for card combos. Bloodlines works particularly well as a cross-foundation option. Those recommendations are editorial judgments, not official rankings.
Do I need both standalone games?
No. Choose either the original Imperium or Uprising as your foundation and use its supported expansions. You can buy both for variety, but neither is mandatory for the other’s basic game.
Original expansion-guide coverage
The following sections retain the established comparison, historical release coverage and internal links from the original article, updated where publisher information has changed.
Dune: Imperium has three established expansion boxes with full rules available: Rise of Ix, Immortality and Bloodlines, plus the newly announced and pre-orderable Conspiracy expansion. Dune: Imperium – Uprising is a standalone game, not a normal expansion, although parts of the product line are designed to work across both foundations.
Dune: Imperium expansion comparison
| Expansion | Main change | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Rise of Ix | Dreadnoughts, technologies, shipping and new leaders/cards | Groups wanting a broader strategic board |
| Immortality | Tleilaxu research, specimens, grafting and Family Atomics | Deck-builders wanting stronger card-combo systems |
| Bloodlines | New leaders and deeper systems compatible with both foundations | Players using base Imperium or Uprising who want newer content |
Rise of Ix
Rise of Ix broadens the strategic board with technology, dreadnoughts and a shipping track. It also adds new leaders, Imperium cards and Intrigue cards.
Immortality
Immortality introduces the Bene Tleilax, a research track and specimen economy. Grafting lets certain cards be played together for combined effects, while Family Atomics gives each player a once-per-game way to replace the Imperium row.
Bloodlines
Bloodlines is compatible with both the original Dune: Imperium and Dune: Imperium – Uprising. Dire Wolf designed it as a full expansion for both foundations (before the Conspiracy preorder announcement) and built it around new leaders and deeper development of existing systems.
Where does Uprising fit?
Uprising is a standalone game rather than a required expansion. It has its own game board and card decks and can be played without owning the original Dune: Imperium.
Can the expansions combine?
Dire Wolf provides rules and FAQs for Rise of Ix, Immortality, Uprising and Bloodlines. Compatibility depends on which foundation you are using, so follow the current support documents instead of assuming every module combines identically.
Which expansion should you get first?
Rise of Ix is the strongest first expansion when you want broader board strategy. Choose Immortality if card construction and combo play are your priority. Bloodlines is especially relevant if you want content that works with either original Imperium or Uprising.
Detailed Dune: Imperium expansion guides
Upcoming: Conspiracy — now available for preorder
On October 22, 2026, Dire Wolf fully announced Conspiracy as a new expansion for both original Dune: Imperium and Uprising. Preorders opened October 26, 2026. The publisher has revealed six new Leaders, 46 Imperium cards, a Conspiracy-card drafting system, spy interactions and a one-versus-all Overthrow mode. That is a product announcement, not proof the expansion has shipped; check the October 26 design diary and the October 22 reveal.
Publisher sources
Originally checked September 2026; expansion-line and Conspiracy preorder information updated November 1, 2026.
Sources, game editions and editorial scope
Last checked November 1, 2026. Principal sources: Dire Wolf’s official Dune: Imperium rulebooks and FAQ, the Bloodlines publisher design diary, the October 22 Conspiracy announcement, and the October 26 Conspiracy preorder and design diary.
Compatibility statements are distinguished from tactical recommendations. Specific expansion setup, variant interactions, card text and errata should always follow the latest official rules. Conspiracy details remain previews until final publication. This is independent editorial guidance, not a claim of firsthand testing or a reproduction of the rulebooks. Editorial policy and corrections.