Stella: Dixit Universe (2021) Board Game

Stella: Dixit Universe is a card game that was released in 2021 by Libellud. It is part of the popular Dixit Universe series, which includes various expansions and standalone games. Designed by Gérald Cattiaux and Jean-Louis Roubira, it is known for its beautiful artwork and creative gameplay mechanics.

Game Components of Stella: Dixit Universe

Game board

Dixit card deck

Word card deck

Personal Slates for each player

Dry erase pens and cloths

Lantern tokens

First Scout pawn

Scoring Slate

Round markers

How To Setup Stella: Dixit Universe

To set up the game, assemble the board in the center of the table and place the Round markers next to it. Shuffle the Dixit card deck and create three rows of five cards. The remainder of the deck is placed off to the side along with the shuffled Word card deck and the Scoring Slate. Each player receives a Personal Slate, a dry erase pen, and a cloth. The Lantern tokens, matching the color of their selected Slate, are stacked at the bottom of the game board. Finally, a starting player is selected and given the First Scout pawn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Family, Word Association, Risk-taking

Mechanics: Secret Selection, Word Association, Scoring Points

Objective: Score the most points by making successful associations between Dixit cards and a given word.

Each round, a word is revealed, and players secretly select Dixit cards they believe match the word.

Players announce the number of associations they made and move their Lantern token accordingly.

Players take turns pointing out selected cards; matches with other players earn points (two stars for matches, three stars for unique matches).

If a player’s selection has no matches, they “fall” and cannot score further points in that round.

The game consists of four rounds, with one row of cards replaced after the first three rounds.

Player Experience

**Stella: Dixit Universe** offers a dynamic and engaging experience, particularly for those familiar with Dixit. The game removes the need to come up with clues, instead providing a word for players to associate with the Dixit cards. This shift adds a tactical layer, as players must balance the risk of selecting multiple cards with the potential reward of scoring more points. The game is tense and fun, with moments of suspense as players reveal their selections and see if they match with others.

Pros

Engaging and Tactically Deep: Combines word association with strategic risk-taking.

No Luck Element: Player success is based on their choices, not chance.

Compatible with Dixit Expansions: Can use Dixit expansion packs to add new cards and variety.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up, promoting creative thinking and social interaction.

Cons

Potential for Early Elimination: Players who fail to match any cards in a round can feel left out.

Word Fit Issues: Some players find that the words provided barely fit any of the cards.

Different Online Experience: Players report it may be less fun online due to the lack of discussion among players.

Personal Thoughts on Stella: Dixit Universe

**Stella: Dixit Universe** is ideal for families, friends, and fans of creative word games. It offers a fresh take on the Dixit universe, making it appealing even to those who found the original Dixit repetitive. The game encourages creative thinking and strategic play, making it a great addition to any game collection. If you enjoy games that challenge your mind and foster social interaction, **Stella: Dixit Universe** is definitely worth a try.

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