
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,145
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Logger
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2008

2010
Rules assistance for Zaic
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Zaic is a board game released in 2010 for 2 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Erik Dresner and its main mechanics are Tile Placement.
Zaic is a 2-player 15-minute abstract that can be played on any flat surface without a board. Inspired by the ziggurats of Mesopotamia and the tiles of the designer's bathroom floor, each player vies for the largest area of his tiles by connecting his own and covering his opponent's. Each player is given 19 tiles in three sizes. As the game progresses, it gets more difficult to play the larger tiles. However, the game ends when one player cannot make a move, so forcing a quick end by having no playable tiles left may be an advantage.
Zaic supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Zaic is 15 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Zaic for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Zaic has a complexity rating of 2.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Zaic belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Zaic are: Erik Dresner. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Zaic as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.