Dixit. A family-friendly party board game where your imagination takes center stage. This award-winning family card game revolves around creative storytelling and intuitive guessing, fostering playful social interaction among players. Here’s how it works: one player, the storyteller, chooses a card from their hand and provides a clue – anything from a single word to a song lyric, a sound effect, or even a movie quote. The other players then select a card from their own hands that they believe best matches the storyteller’s clue. Once all cards are revealed, players vote on which card they think belongs to the storyteller. The voting and scoring system rewards both clever storytelling and insightful guessing. But here’s the twist: Dixit’s beautiful and evocative artwork adds a layer of dreamlike interpretation, making even the most seemingly unrelated connections wonderfully bizarre and surprisingly insightful. Learn how to play Dixit and unlock a world of imaginative possibilities with friends and family.
Dixit Game Components
The Dixit board game experience hinges on a few key game components, each carefully designed to spark creativity and player interaction:
- The Scoring Track: More than just a linear path, the scoring track is a whimsical, winding trail where your Dixit game pieces, charming wooden rabbit meeples affectionately known as “rabbits,” hop along as you accumulate points.
- Rabbit Meeples (“Rabbeeples”): These colorful, wooden rabbits serve as player tokens, each player choosing a distinct color to represent their progress on the scoring track. Don’t underestimate their cuteness; these bunnies are surprisingly competitive as they race towards victory!
- Dixit Cards: The Heart of Storytelling: The core of Dixit lies within its deck of 84 beautifully illustrated cards. Each card presents a unique, dreamlike image, often surreal and open to a multitude of interpretations. These cards act as the catalyst for imaginative storytelling, providing the visual inspiration for the clues that drive the game. Dixit card expansions introduce even more artistic variety and thematic possibilities.
- Voting Tokens: Whispers of Intuition: Numbered 1 through 6 (or 1-5 for three player Dixit game), these tokens are your tools for secret voting. When it’s time to deduce the storyteller’s card, you’ll secretly select the token matching the number of the card you believe is the correct one. These unassuming tokens carry the weight of your deductions, holding the potential for triumphant victory or amusing defeat.
Dixit Game Setup
Setting up Dixit is quick and easy. Follow these steps to prepare for your imaginative journey:
- Prepare the Scoring Track: Place the Dixit game board, featuring the scoring track, in the center of the playing area. This whimsical path serves as the focal point for tracking player progress.
- Choose Your Rabbeeple: Each player selects a uniquely colored rabbit meeple and places it on the “0” space of the scoring track.
- Gather Your Voting Tokens: The number of voting tokens each player receives depends on the total number of players in the Dixit game:
- 3 Players: 5 voting tokens (numbered 1-5) per player.
- 4-6 Players: A number of voting tokens matching the player count (e.g., 4 tokens for 4 players, 5 tokens for 5 players, 6 tokens for 6 players).
- Shuffle and Deal Dixit Cards: Thoroughly shuffle the Dixit card deck. If using Dixit expansion packs, shuffle them in as well. Deal 6 cards face down to each player. Players should keep their cards secret – they represent a hidden world of imaginative possibilities.
- Create the Draw Pile: Place the remaining cards face down in a pile near the scoring track. This forms the draw pile, from which players will replenish their hands throughout the game.
Three-Player Dixit Game Setup:
In a three-player game, deal 7 cards to each player instead of 6. This provides a slightly broader range of choices for storytelling and guessing.
How to Play Dixit
Each round of Dixit follows a distinct cycle of storytelling, deduction, and scoring. Let’s break down the rules of each phase:
A. The Storyteller’s Turn: Setting the Scene
- Choosing the Inspiration: The storyteller secretly selects one card from their hand, keeping it hidden from the other players. This card serves as the inspiration for their clue.
- Crafting the Clue: The storyteller creates a clue based on their chosen card. This clue can be incredibly diverse:
- A single word: “Dream,” “Escape,” “Adventure”.
- A phrase or sentence: “Whispers in the wind”, “Lost in time”.
- A sound: Whoosh, Chirp, Gurgle.
- A quote: “Off with their heads!” “We’ll always have Paris”.
- Even a gesture or a snippet of interpretive dance!
- The key is to find the balance between obvious and obscure. The ideal clue allows for some, but not all, players to correctly guess the storyteller’s card.
- Example: Imagine the storyteller’s card depicts a hot air balloon. “Hot air balloon” is too literal. More evocative clues could be “Freedom”, “Uplifting Journey”, or “Escape”.
- Card Submission: After the storyteller gives their clue, the other players secretly select a card from their own hands that they believe best matches the storyteller’s clue. They pass their chosen cards face down to the storyteller.
B. The Voting Phase: Unveiling the Truths
- Shuffling and Display: The storyteller shuffles their chosen card together with the cards received from other players. They then arrange these cards face up in a numbered row (1 to the number of players), creating a display of imaginative possibilities.
- Casting Votes: Each player (except the storyteller) secretly selects a voting token that corresponds to the number of the card they believe belongs to the storyteller. This is a moment of silent deduction, where intuition and observation collide.
- The Grand Reveal: All players simultaneously reveal their voting tokens, placing them on the corresponding cards. Important Rule: No talking is allowed during the voting phase. This prevents accidental hints or influences that could sway the results.
C. Scoring: Reaping the Rewards
- Storyteller’s Revelation: The storyteller reveals their chosen card, unveiling the true inspiration behind their clue.
- Calculating Points: Points are awarded according to these Dixit scoring rules:
- Scenario 1: Everyone or No One Guesses Correctly: The storyteller receives 0 points, and all other players receive 2 points.
- Scenario 2: Some Players Guess Correctly: The storyteller and the correct guessers receive 3 points each. In addition, all players (except the storyteller) receive 1 bonus point for each vote their submitted card received. This rewards clever decoy choices that capture the attention of other players.
- Example 1: If only one player guesses the storyteller’s card, both that player and the storyteller receive 3 points. Any bonus points from votes for other cards are then added to the players’ scores.
- Example 2: If two players guess the storyteller’s card, they and the Storyteller receive 3 points. If a third player’s card has received 2 votes then that player will receive 2 points.
How to Win Dixit
Your enchanting journey through the imaginative world of Dixit concludes in one of two ways:
- Reaching 30 Points: The game ends immediately when any player reaches or surpasses 30 points on the scoring track. That player is crowned the Dixit winner, their rabbits perched proudly at the summit of Dixit achievement.
- Empty Draw Pile: If the Dixit card draw pile is depleted before any player reaches the 30-point threshold, the game concludes. In this scenario, the player with the highest score is declared the winner. It’s a race against dwindling resources, similar to a culinary challenge where you must create the most impressive dish with the limited ingredients remaining in your pantry.
Dixit Tiebreaker Rules:
In the event of a tie, victory is shared among the tied players. Dixit is a game that celebrates shared imagination, making a shared victory a fitting conclusion. All tied players are declared Dixit champions.
Dixit Strategies and Tips
Dixit is more than a guessing game; it’s a captivating blend of storytelling, deduction, and social interaction. While luck plays a role, strategic thinking can significantly enhance your Dixit gameplay. Here are some expert tips for both storytellers and guessers:
Storyteller Strategies: Mastering the Art of the Clue
Walking the Tightrope: Crafting the perfect Dixit clue is a delicate balancing act. Your goal is to create a clue that is evocative enough to spark connections but ambiguous enough to avoid being too obvious. The sweet spot is when some, but not all, players can correctly guess your card.
Knowing Your Audience: Consider your audience’s personalities, their understanding of symbolism, and even their current mood. A playful group might appreciate a pun, while a more introspective group might respond better to an emotional cue.
Mining Your Hand: Don’t limit your focus to your chosen card. Examine your entire hand for potential connections. A clue that subtly links multiple cards can create a web of misdirection.
The Art of Misdirection:
- The Red Herring: Offer a clue that seems to point towards one of your other cards.
- The Double Bluff: Give a clue that initially seems obvious, but has a hidden, subtler meaning connected to your chosen card.
Example: Imagine your chosen card depicts a hot air balloon:
- Basic Clue: “Freedom,” “Journey”
- Red Herring: “Grounded” (if you also have a card showing roots or an anchor).
- Double Bluff: “Basket Case”
Guesser Strategies: Decoding the Storyteller’s Mind
The Dixit Detective: Develop your “Dixit sense” by observing the storyteller’s behavior. Their body language, tone of voice, and the time taken to deliver the clue can offer valuable insights.
Pattern Recognition: Each storyteller has unique tendencies. Learn to recognize these patterns and anticipate their clueing style.
Decoy Mastery: Choosing a strong decoy is crucial. Consider these techniques:
- Thematic Resonance: Choose a card thematically related to the clue, even if it doesn’t directly depict the clue’s subject.
- Visual Similarity: Select a card with visual elements that echo those in the storyteller’s card, creating a visual trap.
- Emotional Mirroring: Evoke similar emotions to the clue, even if the subject matter is different.
- Example: If the clue is “Journey,” effective decoys might be a map (thematic), a bird in flight (visual), or a waving goodbye (emotional).
By mastering these strategies, you can elevate your Dixit game, adding layers of depth and intrigue. Winning is just one aspect; the true reward lies in the shared experience of creativity, connection, and imaginative exploration.
Expanding the Dixit Universe: Variants and Expansions
The core Dixit gameplay offers a captivating experience, but for players seeking new challenges and artistic inspiration, Dixit variants and expansions open up a world of possibilities.
Dixit Game Variants: Tailoring the Experience
Dixit offers several game variants that can subtly or significantly alter the gameplay, providing fresh perspectives and strategic nuances:
- Three-Player Dixit Rules: Specifically designed for smaller groups, the three-player variant adds complexity to the guessing game. Each player receives seven cards, and during the Storyteller phase, each non-storyteller submits two cards matching the clue. This results in five cards to choose from, increasing the challenge and making decoy selection even more critical.
- Alternative Scoring Variants: Numerous fan-made scoring variants exist, adding layers of strategic depth. A popular option awards bonus points for correctly guessing other players’ decoy cards. This encourages players to anticipate their opponents’ choices, adding a “mind game” element to the experience.
Dixit Expansions: A World of Artistic Exploration
Dixit expansions are a key feature of the game, injecting new life and artistic variety into your Dixit gameplay:
- New Card Decks: Each Dixit expansion introduces a deck of 84 unique cards, each showcasing a distinct artistic style and thematic focus. This influx of fresh imagery keeps the game engaging and provides endless inspiration for creative storytelling.
- Thematic Experiences: Dixit expansions allow you to tailor the game’s atmosphere to your preferences. Consider these examples and combinations:
- Dixit: Odyssey: Expands the player count to 12 and introduces a team-based variant, perfect for larger gatherings. Combine it with Dixit: Daydreams for a lighthearted and whimsical experience.
- Dixit: Revelations: Explores darker, more mysterious themes, ideal for players who enjoy a touch of the surreal. Pair it with Dixit: Memories for a nostalgic and introspective game.
- Dixit: Harmonies: Offers a whimsical, dreamlike aesthetic, perfect for lighthearted play. Combine it with Dixit: Quest for a fairytale-like adventure.
- Dixit: Origins: Provides a more abstract and surreal art style, pushing the boundaries of interpretation. A combination with Dixit: Journey could create a sense of otherworldly exploration.
- Mixing and Matching: By combining different Dixit expansion packs, you can craft a unique and personalized Dixit game experience, creating specific moods or themes to suit your gathering.
Exploring Dixit’s variants and expansions unlocks the game’s full potential, ensuring lasting replayability and a constantly evolving world of imaginative possibilities.
FAQs
Can I vote for my own card in Dixit?
No. While technically allowed, voting for your own card is strongly discouraged. Think of it as voting for yourself for class president – it’s not exactly sportsmanlike. Always choose a card submitted by another player.
What happens if the draw pile runs out in Dixit?
The game ends immediately when the draw pile is empty. The player with the highest score at that point wins the game, regardless of whether they’ve reached 30 points. This adds a strategic element of resource management to the game, as players must make their clues and card choices count before the draw pile runs dry.
Can Dixit be played with more or less than four players?
Dixit is designed for 3 to 6 players. Rules for three players differ slightly, as covered in the section about Dixit variants. If you have a small groups, explore our articles on drinking games for small groups, card games for 2, 3, 4, and 5 players. For a larger groups, we also provide drinking games and card games for large groups. For a couple, see our best drinking games and card games for couples.
Can I combine Dixit expansion packs?
Absolutely! Combining Dixit expansion packs adds variety and allows you to tailor the game’s artwork and themes to your group’s preferences.
How do I choose a good decoy card in Dixit?
The most effective decoys are cards that are thematically or visually related to the storyteller’s clue, but different enough from the storyteller’s chosen card to avoid being too obvious. The goal is to create a card that captures some votes without being easily identifiable as the true answer.
