This expansion adds two new factions, the CHOAM and the Richese, to the Dune board game, along with 2 new variants.
The Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles or CHOAM controlled much of the economic affairs of the cosmos and had a great interest in Arrakis, beyond the production of spices. Due to his control over interplanetary trade, CHOAM was the greatest source of wealth in the Imperium. Influence in CHOAM was a major focus of political maneuvering in the Imperium, both to maximize dividends and to skim profits. CHOAM's leaders and bureaucrats were committed to controlling vital products that enriched the Great Houses. . . and CHOAM itself.
House Richese, like the Ixians, had a well-deserved reputation for ingenuity and created important technological inventions. But Count Ilban Richese suffered a number of business blunders that threatened to bankrupt their fortunes. After being expelled from the Arrakis board, they were reduced to selling important creations to raise enough money to continue their efforts to compete.
This expansion also introduces Leader Skills, which allow you to assign a skill such as Mentat, Swordmaster of Ginaz or Prana Bindu Adept to one of your leader disks. It also includes Advanced Stronghold Cards, which give you a "home field advantage" when fighting in a stronghold you control.