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[Mystvan]

Originally Posted by Mystvan

Some curious observations about Westwoods’ *ahem* “adaptation” of the Dune saga:

• Contrary to popular belief, elite force Sardaukar does not live up to the name of the fearsome and fanatical imperial Force feared by all. Sardaukar can be easily crushed by Military Vehicles with the exception of Light Vehicles. We could include the tough Fremen as well;

• The Sardaukar cowardly retreat when any of the Houses (Harkonnen, Atreides, Ordos) invade the imperial Palace leaving their Emperor at the mercy of the enemies. Would this be the famous Sardaukar elite troop whose fanaticism and ferocity reminds the legendary warriors of the city of Sparta mainly against the elite the 10,000 Immortals (Medes and Persians) of the Persian Empire?

• I believe that only the House of Atreides could present a threat to the Sardaukar, whereas the Harkonnen... As the Sardaukar disguised themselves as Harkonnen, it was clear to the Fremen who Sardaukar was and who Harkonnen was... The quality difference was quite clear.

• Using a wonderful Dune II Units and Structures editor, you could edit the type of Structure, Hit Points, Unit type, Hit Points of your House and your Opponent(s). In addition, you can even edit Sandworm so that a single and the weakest Soldier shot (without armor) is enough to mortally wound the Sandworm;

• I noticed that the Resistance of the enemy Units were stronger. Even if I used a Devastator against the Siege Tank, my Devastator would suffer more damage. In addition to the Sandworm stay close to my Structures and Units to swallow them. These are disadvantages that you must overcome in order not to be destroyed;

• When I selected a Mission, I preferred that my Base be located in a corner, protecting at least two of the four sides;

• Already happened to some of my Unit exploring the edges to lighten the Map and some enemy Rocket Turret(?) or Rocket Tank beyond the edge hit it.

I remembered that even by editing the HP of Units and Structures by Savegame Editor, they are possible to be destroyed under certain conditions:

• If a Unit of Soldiers is crushed by a medium / large armored vehicle, the death of the Unit is inevitable;

• If a Unit of Soldiers is hit by Sandworm, the death is inevitable;

• If a Unit of Soldiers is swallowed by Sandworm, the death is inevitable;

• If a Unit of Soldiers inadvertently steps on a “sandbank” resulting in an explosion (of Spice Melange), the death is inevitable;

• If a civil / military Armored Unit is swallowed up by Sandworm, the destruction is inevitable;

• If a civilian / military Armored Unit inadvertently crosses a “sandbank” resulting in an explosion (of Spice Melange), destruction is inevitable;

If a Structure is hit by a Harkonnen or Corrino / Sardaukar Missile, the destruction is inevitable. One way to avoid this would be to edit the Palace to some Structure of similar size. Or make the Palace as your House.

Perhaps all these conditions were determined by programmers so that no matter how big the HP of the Unit / Structure, if the condition happens, the destruction is inevitable.