Roll-and-write games really run the gamut — from the purely superficial to the deeply strategic — meaning they can satisfy a wide range of tabletop needs.
Diceathlon is one of those “middle-of-the-road” titles: not particularly deep, but a good deal more fun than expected.
Designed by Chris Heaney and released in 2022, Diceathlon plays from solo to virtually unlimited players, though it really shines with three to five, maybe six. The reason to keep the count modest is simple — you roll dice equal to the number of players plus one, then each player picks a die in turn, with the roller taking the leftover die at the end of the round.
You then record your chosen number on your individual scoresheet in one of six sports. Each sport has its own scoring conditions and a unique way to earn medals by the end of the game.
For a nice seasonal twist, the same designer released Winter Diceathlon in 2023, which uses a similar system but swaps in five winter sports, each with its own scoring goals.
Personally, I really enjoy both versions — largely because of the sports theme. Admittedly, the theme is somewhat “pasted on,” but it still works, and the mechanics make sense sport by sport — golf aims for the lowest score, hurdles require rolls above three to clear each obstacle, and so on.
The theme also shines through in a clever touch: each player has access to three “coaches” who can influence one selected die during the game. It’s a smart bit of design that helps mitigate those inevitable poor rolls that can derail your medal chances in either version.
Both Diceathlon and Winter Diceathlon are available as print-and-play titles at www.pnparcade.com. If you enjoy chucking dice and making quick but meaningful decisions on the road to victory, these are definitely worth checking out.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Fun foray in sports by rolling dice
Diceathlon is one of those “middle-of-the-road” titles: not particularly deep, but a good deal more fun than expected.
Designed by Chris Heaney and released in 2022, Diceathlon plays from solo to virtually unlimited players, though it really shines with three to five, maybe six. The reason to keep the count modest is simple — you roll dice equal to the number of players plus one, then each player picks a die in turn, with the roller taking the leftover die at the end of the round.
You then record your chosen number on your individual scoresheet in one of six sports. Each sport has its own scoring conditions and a unique way to earn medals by the end of the game.
For a nice seasonal twist, the same designer released Winter Diceathlon in 2023, which uses a similar system but swaps in five winter sports, each with its own scoring goals.
Personally, I really enjoy both versions — largely because of the sports theme. Admittedly, the theme is somewhat “pasted on,” but it still works, and the mechanics make sense sport by sport — golf aims for the lowest score, hurdles require rolls above three to clear each obstacle, and so on.
The theme also shines through in a clever touch: each player has access to three “coaches” who can influence one selected die during the game. It’s a smart bit of design that helps mitigate those inevitable poor rolls that can derail your medal chances in either version.
Both Diceathlon and Winter Diceathlon are available as print-and-play titles at www.pnparcade.com. If you enjoy chucking dice and making quick but meaningful decisions on the road to victory, these are definitely worth checking out.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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