Crits & Tricks
Crits & Tricks at your next game night?
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- Designer Pete Wissinger
- Publisher Inside Up Games
- Illustration Arad Safarzadegan
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You sit at a high‑stakes table in Eldris and draft quests each round, then use dice rolls paired with mercenary cards to win tricks and claim loot. Each mercenary class defines a trick's win condition and has a powerful CRIT ability that can shift outcomes. The game mixes Closed Drafting, Hand Management and Predictive Bid elements into short, tactical rounds.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed for gamers who enjoy trick-taking and tactical card play, Crits & Tricks suits experienced players. With a playtime of about 45 minutes it's short-to-medium and includes a solo mode (1 player). Some familiarity with drafting or trick-taking helps.
How It Works
Each round players draft quests (Closed Drafting) and set objectives (Predictive Bid). During tricks you combine rolled dice (Dice Rolling) with cards from your hand (Hand Management) to meet class-specific conditions; Contracts define goals and rewards. Winning tricks and fulfilling quests grants loot that determines the winner.
What Makes It Special
Pete Wissinger's design fuses classic trick-taking with dice-driven unpredictability and class CRIT abilities. Published in 2026, it also has digital implementations on Board Game Arena and Tabletopia, enabling online play.
Pro
- Combines Trick-taking and Dice Rolling for tactical variety
- Closed Drafting and Hand Management create meaningful choices
- Includes solo play
- Short-to-medium playtime (~45 minutes) fits many game nights
Contra
- Benefits from prior experience with drafting/trick-taking
- Darker fantasy theme may not suit family audiences
Setting & atmosphere
Set in the fantasy city of Eldris at a den called The Gutter’s End, players take on quests, compete for loot and risk gaining rivals instead of riches. The setting is taken from the publisher description.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on understanding quest objectives and how class CRIT abilities interact with dice and hand cards; mastering that interaction is key.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play (1–4 players).
How long does a game really take?
Playtime is about 45 minutes; games may run longer while learning the mechanics.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with trick-taking or drafting mechanics is helpful due to the combined systems.
How does this compare to similar games?
Crits & Tricks stands out by merging trick-taking with dice rolling and Closed Drafting, so randomness and planning are closely linked.
Is this suitable for families?
Given the 14+ age recommendation and mechanic complexity, it's more aimed at hobby gamers than young families.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Trick-taking with Dice Rolling and Closed Drafting, plus class CRIT abilities, defines the experience.
Fazit
Recommended for players seeking a tactical trick-taking experience with dice elements; solo support and ~45 minute plays make it flexible. Less suited to younger family groups or players new to drafting.
Crits & Tricks at your next game night?
Add Crits & Tricks to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Crits & Tricks to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
