The strategy of Baron Harkonnen can be described by two words: fear and terror. The constant oppression of their population lets the soldiers of the Harkonnen army act with complete impunity. Casual brutality, slavery and bloodsports characterize Harkonnen appetites. Even with severe injury,  Harkonnen soldiers will fight to the last, preferring to risk their life on the battlefield than suffer a long and painful death in the torture chambers of Baron Harkonnen. Treachery and deception ensure elevation in the ranks, even assassination is a common practice.

The ruthlessness of the Harkonnen is also legendary. It has long been rumored that the Harkonnens keep a secret and illegal arsenal of atomic weapons and other forbidden technologies, inspiring fear and respect among the other Great Houses.

The populations of planets within the Harkonnen grip share many traits of the Baron himself: cold, ruthless, egomanical, but blessed with a brilliant and deadly efficiency. The Baron and the complete population of Giedi Prime are driven by an age-old vendetta against House Atreides and resent their appropriation what used to be theirs: the planet Arrakis.