Dicelantis uses 18 dice and a cup. No pads or score sheets are needed. Six dice are rolled and re-rolled until a player decides to stop, or "busts".

The dice are split into 3 types. Six “sea” dice are used for the initial rolls, this is where players try to rescue survivors; 9 “Dicelantis” dice form an island in the middle of the table; and 3 “Treachery” dice provide a take-that mechanism to spoil the plans of other players

The Dicelantis dice act as a countdown mechanism in the game. As the game progresses the island of Dicelantis is washed away by the tide and these dice are claimed in front of players.

Players try to collect as many survivors as they can from the roiling seas surrounding Dicelantis. As it sinks beneath the waves, the Dicelantis dice also give the players the option of claiming Treachery dice. By claiming these black dice, players can keep hold of them for end game points, or add them to an opponent’s cup, bringing catastrophe to the target player and seizing an exciting victory!