The formula, and why it exists
In DIKTAT, your score is called Influence Points (IP). The formula is simple:
IP = (Bronze × 1) + (Silver × 4) + (Gold × 15)
What seems trivial hides a design intent. If each token were worth 1 IP, the game would reduce to a linear accumulation: whoever draws the most wins. The geometric progression 1-4-15 instead forces players to choose between quantity (lots of Bronze, hard to deplete, but few IP) and concentration (few Gold tokens, vulnerable, but explosive in IP).
15 is not a round number by chance either. It was chosen so that a single Gold is worth more than a complete hand of Bronze (5 cards in hand, on average ~10 accessible IP per turn). This means a Gold transfer is always a major event in a game.
The bank conversion ratio
In the BANK phase, you can convert your tokens at the following rates:
- 3 Bronze → 1 Silver (you lose 3 IP but gain 4 IP: +1 free IP)
- 3 Silver → 1 Gold (you lose 12 IP but gain 15 IP: +3 free IP)
Both promotions are mathematically advantageous. The Silver → Gold conversion is the most profitable and constitutes the main growth engine of the game. The Bronze → Silver conversion yields fewer IP but also improves your density: you reduce the number of tokens exposed to opponents' plots.
Conversely, you can downgrade at a loss: 1 Silver → 2 Bronze (-2 IP), 1 Gold → 2 Silver (-7 IP) or even 1 Gold → 5 Bronze (-10 IP). Costly, but useful when you fear an imminent Hostile Takeover Gold: breaking your Gold into multiple tokens makes the target less attractive and limits the loss in case of theft.
The critical Gold threshold
How much Gold should you aim for? The bank starts with 10 Gold tokens. If you monopolise all of it, you instantly win (the "Gold monopoly" victory condition). But in practice, reaching 5-6 Gold is often enough to lock the game: 5 Gold = 75 IP, which would take many opponent plots to catch up.
However, the more Gold you accumulate, the more you become the target of every Hostile Takeover Gold at the table. The risk/reward ratio tips around 3-4 accumulated Gold. Beyond that, it becomes critical to protect your stock with Vetoes.
Per-card efficiency calculation
How much IP does each card yield (or cost) on average? This question guides every choice. Here are the typical values:
- Basic Income: +3 Bronze or +1 Silver = +3 or +4 IP depending on the choice.
- Loan: +1 immediate Gold (-1 Bronze at closing) = +14 net IP (15 - 1).
- Speculation (plot): 5 Bronze for 5 Silver = +15 net IP.
- Hostile Takeover Silver: -1 Silver paid, +1 Silver stolen = +4 IP for you, -4 IP for the victim (8 IP swing).
- Hostile Takeover Gold: -1 Gold paid, +1 Gold stolen = +15 IP for you, -15 IP for the victim (30 IP swing).
- Bankruptcy: downgrades 1 opponent token, variable swing (typically 11 IP: Gold → Silver).
Plots therefore have a per-card yield 4 to 8 times higher than Resources cards. That's why they are the main source of advantage in mid-game. But they expose themselves to Vetoes, which makes them asymmetric.
Strategic implication: the "influence curve"
A typical game sees the total IP of players evolve in an S-curve:
- Turns 1-3 (accumulation): everyone plays Resources, average IP rises slowly (5-15 IP per player).
- Turns 4-7 (escalation): the first plots fall, gaps widen, Silver-Gold conversions begin.
- Turns 8+ (resolution): attacks intensify, Vetoes deplete, a leader emerges and the tacit coalition forms against them.
Knowing this curve lets you play counter-tempo: accumulate when others attack, attack when others accumulate.
Conclusion
Influence Points are not just a score: they are the compass of every decision. Learn to mentally calculate each player's IP at any time (bronze + 4 silver + 15 gold), and you'll know what to target, when to attack, and when to defend.
To go further, read our complete analysis of the token economy or the tactical guide on the choice between Hostile Takeover Silver and Gold.