Sardaukar

The Sardaukar were an elite military force controlled by the Padishah Emperor during the Corrino Empire. They were renowned and feared throughout the Known Universe for their fanatical fighting abilities, and used ruthlessness, cruelty and deceipt to accomplish their goals.

Upbringing and Training

Members of the Sardaukar were raised from a young age in a ferocious natural environment that saw almost half (6 out of every 13) die before the age of 11. Intense training gave them formidable swordsmanship and espionage abilities, and instilled a religious fervor that added to their mystique.

The fighting abilities of the Sardaukar were reknown throughout the Old Imperium. It was said that their skill was comparable to that of Ginaz Tenth Level, and approaching that of someone taught by the Bene Gesserit.

The abilities of the Sardaukar were largely attributed to the harsh environment and brutal discipline they were exposed to on planet Salusa Secundus, the Corrino prison planet. Since the Fremen were exposed to much more harsh environments and discipline than the Sardaukar, they were capable of developing into superior fightng machines when compared to Sardaukar. Fremen soldiers typically believed that while Harkonnen soldiers were no match for them, the Sardaukar fought well.

Indeed, during the Fremen uprising on Arrakis the Sardaukar suffered a devastating defeat, which saw Paul Atreides elevated to Emperor of the Known Universe. Subsequently, the Sardaukar became a marginal force, continuing to act as the army and guardians for the deposed House Corrino, though deliberately avoiding direct conflict with the powerful Fremen warriors of the Atreides Empire.

Appearance and Fighting Style

Sardaukar troops were distinguished by black uniforms and long hair, the latter of which was taken as a sign of arrogance by those who beheld them. They had many distinguishing hand-to-hand combat techniques, such as standing in threes with their backs toward each other when surrounded. Weapons in their hair and other parts of their body have often been discovered under interrogation. During the Harkonnen attack on planet Arrakis when it was under the control of House Atreides, Sardaukar troops were provided by Emperor Shaddam IV to assist the Harkonnens. Atreides forces managed to recognise the Sardaukar by their long hair and their combat style.

Fall of the Sardaukar

The Sardaukar were a key element in maintaining the Imperial hegemony of House Corrino. However, by the time of Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, although still formidable, they had fallen prey to arrogance and political cynicism.

They ceased to exist as a viable entity after Farad'n Corrino became the concubine of Ghanima Atreides when Leto II ascended to the Imperial Throne as God Emperor. During his rule, one of Leto II's many Duncan Idaho gholas led the remnants of the Sardaukar in an attempted revolt.

The defeat on Arrakis, the Sardaukar's later revolt against the God Emperor, and the general decline of the Sardaukar organization all finally caused the abolishment of the Sardaukar corps. They were replaced by the female Fish Speakers, who in time, by and large, had Sardaukar blood in their veins.

Comparison to real life Armies

They are most similar to the Roman Praetorian Guard and the Ottoman Janissaries.