9 Most Powerful Militaries of Dune Universe

In the vast, intricate tapestry of Frank Herbert's Dune universe, spanning from the initial rise of House Atreides to the climactic events of Chapterhouse: Dune, the militaries of this complex realm are as diverse and formidable as the planets they protect. The noble houses and also different other factions, each vying for control over the spice-laden sands of Arrakis, have cultivated armies that reflect their unique strategic doctrines and cultural idiosyncrasies. The militaries of the Dune universe are heavily reliant on advanced technology. Lasguns which are powerful energy weapons capable of cutting through most conventional armor are often seen to be employed in ambushes and in assasinations as well as subterfuge and sabotage, but in conventional warfare, they have become nearly obsolete due to the widespread use of Holtzman shields. These personal shields, which deflect fast-moving projectiles and energy beams, create a unique combat dynamic. When a Lasgun beam strikes a shield, the interaction triggers a catastrophic nuclear explosion, vaporizing everything in its immediate vicinity.
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[vampirecount]

Arguably the strongest army in the Dune universe are the Fish Speakers. These warriors have been genetically selected for over 3, 000 years using the genes of the Empire's most powerful warriors, including the offspring of Duncan Idaho's countless Gholas, descended from the best of the Harkonnens, Atraides, Fremen, and even Sardaukar. Leto II really surrounded himself with the most evolved elements in the human genome.

[bartsullivan]

Its a shame Frank couldn't have lived longer to finish his saga but man what a universe he shaped.

[aidanlela]

The second machine empire is by far the best. The honored matres were almost unstoppable compared to the old imperium but they fled for their lives when the machines struck

[thomriley]

Many don't factor in the sheer scale and societal aspect of warfare in Dune.

The Guild monopoly and Great Convention of the Landsraad prevent a lot of what people have come to expect from a Sci-Fi war. It isn't until at least Heretics of Dune that an alternative to Spice-grown Navigators is developed, so for thousands of years everyone was forced to play by the rules if they wanted to buy a ticket to leave their own planet.

Skirmishes between rival Houses would have to be smaller-scale "Wars of Assassins"; unless the Emperor, Bene Gesserits, CHOAM and/or the Spacing Guild itself signed off on it. And then later, the God Emperor.

[gavstar]

Everyone forgets the fact that Spice gave many of the Freeman warriors limited prescience. Spice enhanced a lot of innate abilities which was why it was so important for the Space Guild, Mentats, Bene Gesserit, and anyone wanting longer life.

[Czer]

So glad to see people still doing Dune content ❤

[Emanon...]

Even with shields you'd think that explosive weapons would still be extremely useful even in HtH combat to disrupt tight formations

[asavelakuse]

We are Sardaukar
The emperor's blades
Those who stand against us fall
The emperor commands it
It is done

[cesarespinozaspain]

No mention of the Sword-masters of Ginaz? Duncan Idaho a Sword-master plays a HUGE role in the books, Not to mention a Sword-master was ranked better than a Sardurkar and could even match or beat a Bene Gesserit. Granted they are a school and a House, a Sword-master is still a massive force multiplier.

[DembosTheEmperor]

Its worth noting that the melee styled warfare changed drastically during and after God Emperor, they fell out of favour and with it also a lot of the ritualized melee warfare to more practical/utilitarian, with Miles and his companions using the lasgun to great potential by cutting swath of enemy in one bzzzt.

[KeemperorK]

The thing is, that Frank herbert desired a very specific combat system, that harkened back to ancient times and that is why close combat is the preferred method of engagement in Dune.
Shields many think are somehow infallible against high-speed ballistics and that because lasguns are mutually assured destruction that other methods of long range combat just became obsolete.
This also follows the implied invincibility of shields unless they are slowly penetrated, which many take as fact and cease to think beyond that, because the books and the universe are so great that this totally passes through them and don't bat an eye.
But even in Dune and in the new movies in particular we see a few methods that are effective at dealing with shields.
From the squash head slow penetrators used against the Atreides frigates and the smaller missile varieties used by the Fremen against the shielded Harkonnen gunships, to the dart penetrators used by Doctor Yue against Duke Leto and one used by a Sardaukar, the universe itself tells us that long range combat is alive and well.
Long story short shields can be beaten by specialized long range weapons and more can be created, but this takes away from the close combat doctrine and intent of Frank herbert so people tend to forget this.
Examples of weapons that could take shielded enemies from other franchises are, the Boltgun of Warhammer, because the projectiles are self-propelled, there is a short time, where they would hit the shield without exploding, then slow down, penetrate the shield and explode within the shield confines.
Squash head penetrators are meant to maintain a lot of kinetic energy even at relatively slow speeds, so they could still transfer a lot of energy after entering the shield at a relatively slow velocity.
Monomolecular net weapons, that surround the target would slowly encompass the enemy and deal devastating damage even at insanely slow speeds.
Non-Laser based weapons, like particle beams, plasma and other would hit the shield not trigger the nuclear reaction.
In theory (though this is never discussed) sufficient enough ordnance will break shields and this means that simple saturation could be effective.
Chemical and flame weapons become central to warfare as they all effectively by pass shielding, so it is not that long range weapons are obsolete, its that Frank Herbert wanted to keep a certain feel to his universe and so chose not to dwell too much on methods that would break his chosen combat methodology.

[pyrolight]

Staying within Frank Herbert's book and canon:

The strongest, though we did not get to see them, would have been the Tleilaxu "super" face dancers. Basically they were a combination of all the great warriors including Paul and Leto II. They were the actual threat before Brian decided to scrap it for the thinking machines.

Frank Herbert from God Emperor on: Foreshadow super face dancers
Brian Herbert: Naw it was really thinking machines and guess what they also somehow have ocular vision.

It is shocking how badly Brian crapped all over his fathers work. No ships before Leto II, Bene Gesserit being altruistic in the era of Dune, IX having all the machines inside "many machines ON IX", thinking machine returning...

Sorry rant over. Anyway super face dancers would be the top.

[Okkara-qb]

The question of whether Atreides soldiers could match the Sardaukar is a fascinating one!

The Sardaukar were indeed the most feared soldiers in the Imperium, known for their brutal training and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor. They were raised in the harsh conditions of Salusa Secundus, which forged them into elite warriors.

Duke Leto Atreides invested heavily in training his troops, and under the guidance of skilled leaders like Duncan Idaho and Gurney Halleck, the Atreides soldiers became a formidable force. While they might not have reached the same level as the Sardaukar in terms of sheer ferocity and conditioning, they were highly disciplined and well-trained, earning respect and fear from their enemies.

In the books and adaptations, it’s suggested that the Atreides soldiers were close to matching the Sardaukar, especially in terms of tactical effectiveness and morale. The Emperor’s fear of Duke Leto’s growing power and the potential of his army was one of the reasons for the betrayal and the subsequent attack on House Atreides.

In a direct confrontation, the Sardaukar might still have the edge due to their extreme training and conditioning. However, the Atreides soldiers, with their superior leadership and strategic acumen, could potentially hold their own, especially if they had the element of surprise or advantageous terrain.

It’s a testament to the strength and potential of House Atreides that they were seen as a significant threat to the Emperor’s power.

_What do you think would have happened if the Atreides had more time to build their forces?_

I guess the number 1 priority was the alliance with the Fremen...I think they could have won if Duke Leto had enough time to solidify the alliance. Atreides soldiers could have learned the Fremen ambush tactics + some Fremen forces moving to Arrakeen for defensive. Their biggest problem was lack of men(they had the quality but not the numbers) and the unfamiliar environment( which is the Fremen's biggest strength actually).

If they manged to stop the assault -> with the Fremen's help get the spice production on track. Duke Leto would have had the Landsraad and the Spacing Guild(C.H.O.A.M) on his side. It might be a stretch but I think he had a good change to become the Emperor.

[vex]

I cant stop laughing over the name Fish Speakers xD

[swordmonkey]

Honored Matres are hands down, the most powerful human military force. Any force that can enslave humans through sexual imprinting is top dog. They took the abilities of the BG and turned them up to 11. They were ninja sex monks. 'nuff said.

[Wiz]

The thinking machine army that had the honored matres fleeing back to the imperium is worth a mention. Also when Duncan becomes the ultimate kwisatz haderach and has full control of AI and humanity

[davidoffice]

Damn dude is. Very influential series as it I fluency a lot of series..star wars ..Warhammer...mass effect

[KlausBarbie-pf]

Soldiers with extreme training from childhood and combat experience < Swifties.

[alexyork]

Im stoked on the idea in Dune Awakening of the haga basin and deep desert.
It effectively creates a Rust gameplay loop in the Deep desert, with the weekly wipe and constant PVP and Raiding.. but which keeps any progress of your character and anything you manage to get back to your non-raidable base in haga basin. Which effectivly creates a PvE server gamplay for PvE'ers. Brilliant idea.

[bobbobertbobberton]

The Fish Speakers were not near the top, they were untested in war. Leto II stated they were the best soldiers but only because they were what he needed, which were jailors and a police force, at most they put down rebellions, there were no wars as Leto had such a stranglehold on spice. The Honoured Matres were the best, Fremen then Saudarkar.