Dice Realms (2022) Board Game

Dice Realms is a board game released in 2022 designed by Martin Hoffmann and Claus Stephan. It is a dice-based game that combines elements of deck, bag, and pool building, as well as dice rolling and random production mechanics. The game is published by Rio Grande Games and is suitable for 2 to 4 players, with a runtime of 45 to 60 minutes. Players must strategize and optimize their dice rolls to build their realms and defeat their opponents.

Game Components of Dice Realms

Customizable dice with removable die faces

Event die (Fate die)

Grain tokens

Coin tokens

Victory point (VP) chips

Upgrade tokens

Randomizer tiles

Player boards and organizers

How To Setup Dice Realms

Setting up Dice Realms involves several steps. First, ensure the basic dice are aligned with their starting faces. Lay out the five randomizer tiles to create a pool of die faces that can be bought or upgraded during the game. Organizers in the box help make this process less painful. The setup also includes rolling the Fate die and distributing initial resources such as grain.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll their customizable dice and the Fate die.

Resource Collection: Collect resources such as grain, coins, and VP chips based on the rolled die faces.

Dice Upgrades: Upgrade die faces using resources to improve resource collection and defense.

Event Resolution: Resolve the Fate die, which can impose challenges like Winter, requiring players to feed their dice with grain.

Specialization: Manage and shift dice specializations for farming, mining, defense, and upgrades.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by strategically upgrading and managing your dice.

Player Experience

Playing Dice Realms involves a mix of strategy and luck. Each turn, players roll their dice, collect resources, and decide how to upgrade their die faces. The game is relatively quick, lasting around 20 minutes for a three-player game, but the setup and teardown can be more time-consuming. The game requires strategic thinking to manage resources and adapt to the Fate die’s events.

Pros

Customizable Dice: Offers a unique and engaging mechanic of upgrading die faces.

Strategic Depth: Players need to manage resources and adapt to changing circumstances.

Quick Gameplay: Games are generally short, making it easy to fit in a session.

High Control: Upgrading dice faces allows for significant control over outcomes.

Cons

Expensive and Large Box: The game is pricey and comes in a large box, which may be a deterrent for some.

Unexciting Turns: Some players find the turns to be not very exciting.

Complex Setup: Setup and teardown can be more time-consuming than the game itself.

Luck Factor: The roll of the Fate die and the dice can introduce significant randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Dice Realms

Dice Realms is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a unique twist. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the concept of customizing game components to influence outcomes. However, due to its price, large box, and sometimes unexciting gameplay, it may not be for everyone. It’s a good fit for fans of Tom Lehmann’s other works or those looking to add a fresh mechanic to their gaming collection.

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