1. Read the Book of Laws before playing
The Book of Laws contains up to six active laws that change the rules of the game for everyone, you included. Before each action, look at the slots: an economic law may automatically transfer tokens at the start of a turn, a conditional law may trigger an effect if you have more than 5 Silver tokens, a conversion law may change the bank rate. Never play a Resources card without checking that no punitive law will cancel its benefit.
2. Always keep a Veto in hand
A player without a Veto is a designated target. Your opponents will see it and launch their Hostile Takeovers without fear. Conversely, simply keeping a Veto in hand is often enough to deter attacks: it's deterrence through uncertainty. Resist the temptation to play a Veto on a minor card (low-impact Bankruptcy, opposing Speculation); save it for Hostile Takeover Gold and Executive Decrees on laws that benefit you.
3. Convert to Silver as early as possible
The 3 Bronze for 1 Silver rate is even profitable (3 IP sacrificed for 4 IP gained: +1 free IP), and Silver is denser in IP, so harder to steal in quantity. A player with 12 Bronze has 12 IP but also 12 targets. The same player with 4 Silver has 16 IP and only 4 attackable tokens, each requiring a full plot from the opponent to steal.
4. Aim for Gold only when you're protected
Gold is the king-metal (15 IP per token) but it's also the number-one target of all Hostile Takeover Gold. Don't buy your first Gold without at least one Veto in hand. Even better: first pass a conversion law that makes Gold less accessible to others, or wait until the deck is almost exhausted to minimise risk.
5. Count the cards already discarded
There is a finite number of Vetoes in the deck. When three Vetoes are already in the discard pile, you can attack more aggressively, knowing few remain in opponents' hands. Same for Hostile Takeover Gold: if most have been played, your Gold is safer. The discard pile is public information: use it.
6. Don't pass the first law lightly
The 6 slots in the Book are never infinite. Once filled, removing a law requires an Executive Decree (a rare Plot card) or modifying it via a Political Veto. Don't pass a "neutral" law that doesn't actively benefit you: you waste a strategic slot. Favour economic laws early in the game (guaranteed income for you, possibly penalising for others) and keep conversion laws for mid-game.
7. Learn the phases in order
The 5 phases INCOME, DRAW, ACTION, BANK, CLOSING are not interchangeable. Many beginners forget the BANK phase and end their turn with unconverted tokens. Yet converting 3 Bronze to 1 Silver yields +1 free IP (and reduces the number of targets), and converting 3 Silver to 1 Gold yields +3 IP while transforming your turn. Get into the habit of always visiting the bank before closing (which also gives you 1 Bronze automatically).
For a detailed analysis of each phase, consult our official rules page or the complete illustrated guide.
8. Identify the leader and form coalitions
DIKTAT is a game without formal alliances, but it favours tacit coalitions. If a player gets too far ahead in IP, the others have an interest in concentrating their attacks on them rather than on the neighbour. This is the so-called "kingmaker" effect: never let a player cross the 50 IP mark without coordinated retaliation.
9. Anticipate the end of the game
A game can end in four ways: last player standing, Gold monopoly, empty deck or empty bank. When the deck drops below 10 cards, you must switch to IP maximisation mode: convert all your Bronze to Silver, or even all to Gold if possible, because the game can end in two turns. Conversely, if the game drags on, accumulate first and convert at the right moment.
10. Play solo against the AI to test
Before launching into multiplayer, play at least five solo games against the Medium AI. You'll learn the rhythm of the game, possible card combos and classic traps without social pressure. The DIKTAT AI is calibrated to react like an experienced human player: it prioritises vetoes, targets the leader, anticipates loan repayments. It's an excellent training ground.
Conclusion
The ten tips above don't guarantee victory, but they avoid 90% of beginner mistakes. Mastery comes with practice: observe your games, note what worked and what didn't, and adjust your playstyle. DIKTAT rewards long-term planning far more than luck.