A to Z 2015 : DIXIT

Well, today has been a real shitstorm on multiple fronts. Hopefully I get this in before Midnight, or I will be using one of my infamous "Coming Soon" placeholders. While today I could likely write a novel about my experiences with Diabetes, that wouldn't make for a very fun game.

So instead, let's down shift from the last post's adult theme and kick it into family friendly territory again, shall we?

I fell in love with Dixit the first time I played it. To be honest, I've never played the original core set, but have played Dixit Journey, along with a few expansions. It's a very light, fun bluffing game that plays up to 6 players (though, I just saw a picture of a board supporting 12, so I need to investigate!). It's simplicity makes it a great gateway game for newcomers.

I'll provide a picture of some cards from the set that I own to briefly touch on the gameplay:

Each player is dealt six full art cards (yeah, I thought it was five when I took the picture...) that they keep to themselves. It's important that players don't see their opponent's cards. The starting player (anyone who wishes to announce themselves as being the first player) picks a card from their hand and gives the other players a clue. The clue can be a word, a phrase, a song you sing, an intricate story you weave, etc etc. You decide. The trick is that you want to have at least one person guess which card is yours during the voting phase, but not everyone. You also don't want everyone to fail either.

Once the active player has given their clue, the remaining players pick a card from their hand that they feel best represents said clue. All of the chosen cards, along with the active player's card, are shuffled together. One by one the cards are turned face up in the play area (the hint shared may be repeated with each card reveal, if desired). Once all of the cards are revealed, each non-active player then votes (players cannot vote for their own card), via the numbered tiles (corresponding to their voted card's position in the play area), and keeps their vote face down in front of them until everyone has made a selection. Next, everyone reveals their vote and the tiles are placed on the appropriate cards.

The active player then reveals which card was theirs and the scoring phase commences!

If ALL players find the active player's card then everyone gains 2 points, but the active player gains 0.

If NO players find the active player's card then everyone gains 2 points +1 point for each vote his/her card received and the active player receives 0.

If AT LEAST one player, but NOT ALL players find the active player's card then each player who guessed correctly gains 3 points +1 for each vote his/her card received, and the active player receives 3.

This is why, as the active player, you want your hints to be vague, but not completely obscure. You want to net at least one person who will guess your card!

Once scoring is finished, the player to the left becomes the next active player and the process is repeated.

The first player to 30 wins!

Dixit is one of my favorite family friendly games. I love the art (especially in Dixit Journey) and it's crafted in such a way that many clues resonate with multiple cards at once! I've met very few people who didn't enjoy Dixit. Sometimes people feel they are being "put on the spot" when needing to give their clue. Sure, sometimes it can be hard to think up the "perfect" clue, but considering it's art, it's all pretty subjective...or relative...or...whatever.

If ever having the chance to check this game out, I would say to do so without hesitation. Again, it's a great family game and I feel it makes for a wonderful gateway game that is sure to become a hit within your playgroup!

Full Review Forthcoming

Have you played Dixit? If so, did/do you like it? Do you have a favorite card? Have you played with any of the expansions? Does this game look appealing to you?