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DiTiC is a tactical, tile laying and dice pawn placement game for 2-4 players by Dan Browning and Longpack games. DiTiC is a simple, abstract strategy, that is quick and easy to learn but there is true beauty in its simplicity.
Setup:
Is simple 1-4 players choose a one of the four colours of dice and collects their 10 dice. The bag of tiles is given a good shuffle and the starting tile placed in the middle of the table. That is it and you are ready to go.
The component quality is spot o for this type of game a labelled drawstring bag that contains the tiles that are of good card stock and a really clear design illustrating the four different colours, each a different shape as well to ensure no issues for anyone who struggles with colour.
Gameplay:
Each turn players can choose to draw a random tile from the bag and place it, choosing which side and orientation to lay it, attempting to match up the corners with corners of their colour already on the table. Once four corners have been placed together, if there is a majority of one of the four colours, that player places a die on that space with the die displaying the number of corners of their colour between 1 and 4.
After placing a die, the player rolls the custom action die and benefits from its additional bonus. The action die provides the roller with the opportunity of rotating or flipping tiles or moving dice or tiles as a free, extra move.
On their turn players can choose instead to move one of their dice to a different, completed corner one space away.
The aim of the game is to be the first player to upgrade one of your coloured dice to a six.
To be successful, you need to combine the two possible actions carefully. Bringing dice into play at the right time and close enough to other dice is important as the only way to level dice up is by combining 2 dice together: moving a 2 die onto another 2 die of your colour allows you to upgrade; keeping one die of value 3. This can continue until you are able to combine two 5 dice to create a level 6 and win the game.
Dice & Tiles
The fun in this game develops as players become aware of their opponents tactics and are able to block and slow their progress. Placing tiles that prevent a majority they were building slows the addition of dice. You can also remove lower scoring opponent dice by landing on them removing them from the table. This provides an element of take that but is far more tactical than a standard take that game and doesn’t feel quite as nasty
The combination of planning where you will lay the tiles you draw, choosing the best orientation and the subsequent positioning of your dice creates a beautiful balance and engaging tactical gameplay.
There are a number of additional rules for specific die combinations, with higher value die being immune from capture and providing safety for adjacent dice. In addition, the special level 1 + 3 die upgrade creating a to a level 4, can allow for some swings in who is ahead in the game and bring extra depth and challenge to your strategic plan.
Final thoughts:
The mechanics, look and feel of the game are beautiful in their simplicity. Despite the simple aesthetic and appeal, in DiTiC, Dan has created a game that deserves a place on everyone's game shelf. It perfectly balances clever tactics with enough luck of the draw, to prevent players purely learning set winning strategy. Invest in DiTiC and you will enjoy the challenge of deciding to focus on working through your own game plan and strategy or attempting to disrupt their opponents paths to glory
So make your choice: tile or die, develop the board, and upgrade your dice so that you can be the first to combine two 5s and create the 6 needed to take the win and claim victory. Whatever you choose make sure you take a look at DiTiC, you will not regret it.
