Dice Forge (2017) Board Game

Dice Forge is a board game designed by Régis Bonnessée and published by Libellud in in 2017. The game combines elements of deck-building and dice-rolling in a unique and innovative way. Players take on the role of heroes competing in a tournament hosted by the gods, where they must forge magical dice to gain resources and power.

Game Components of Dice Forge

Dice: Two large, customizable dice per player, with interchangeable faces.

Dice Faces: Various plastic faces that can be swapped to change the dice’s outcomes.

Player Mats: Boards for tracking resources (gold, sun shards, moon shards, and victory points).

Resources: Gold, sun shards, moon shards, and victory points, tracked with small cubes.

Cards: Heroic feat cards that provide special abilities, resources, or victory points.

Board: The game board features the Temple and the Islands, where players acquire new die faces and cards.

Tokens: Tokens for tracking resources and victory points.

How To Setup Dice Forge

Setting up Dice Forge involves several steps. First, each player receives a hero inventory board, colored cubes for resource tracking, and the initial dice configuration. A certain amount of gold is distributed to each player. The game board is set up with the Temple and the Islands, and specific cards are marked for use on the Islands. For more experienced players, setup can involve discussing and deciding which relics to include, adding variety to the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll their dice to gather resources (gold, sun shards, moon shards, and victory points).

Resource Tracking: Resources are tracked on the player mat.

Temple Visits: Players can spend gold to acquire new die faces at the Temple.

Heroic Feats: Players can perform heroic feats by claiming cards that cost sun or moon shards, providing special abilities or resources.

Additional Actions: Players can spend two sun shards to perform an additional action.

Game Objective: The player with the most victory points after 9-10 rounds wins.

Player Experience

Playing Dice Forge is a rhythmic and engaging experience. The game combines the joy of dice rolling with strategic dice crafting and card management. The tactile experience of changing the dice faces and the solid, well-designed components add to the fun. However, the game’s simplicity and limited player choices can make it feel predictable after a few plays. The wide variety of dice faces and card combinations help maintain interest, but luck plays a significant role in the game’s outcome.

Pros

Customizable Dice: The ability to change dice faces adds a unique and engaging element.

Tactile Components: The dice and other components are well-designed and satisfying to use.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 10+, making it a great game for families.

Variable Setup: Different card combinations each game ensure high replayability.

Beautiful Art and Design: The game’s art and board design are charming and elaborate.

Cons

Limited Player Choices: The game’s simplicity can lead to predictable gameplay after a few sessions.

Luck Factor: The outcome is heavily influenced by luck, especially in the early game.

Learning Curve: The symbology on the cards and dice can be confusing for new players.

Component Durability: Concerns about the durability of the dice faces over many plays.

Personal Thoughts on Dice Forge

Dice Forge is ideal for those who enjoy light to medium-weight strategy games with a unique twist. It’s perfect for families and casual gamers who appreciate the tactile experience of customizing dice. However, hardcore gamers might find it too simple and predictable. The game’s beauty and elegance make it an engaging delight, even if the initial dazzling effect fades after several plays.

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