Trilinks – Strategy Game

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Introduction

Trilinks combines simplicity with strategic depth, making it a great choice for family fun or educational use. The game promotes:

• Strategic Thinking: Plan your connector placements to form triangles and block your opponents.
• Spatial Reasoning: Visualizing triangle formations boosts spatial awareness.
• Family Fun: Easy to learn for kids, yet challenging enough for adults, bringing families together.
• Educational Value: Encourages problem-solving, planning, and critical thinking — great for learning through play.
• Reduced Screen Time: Allowing kids and adults to have fun.

Whether you’re introducing children to strategy games or enjoying a competitive match with friends, Trilinks offers hours of engaging game play.

The round board features a built-in storage system that allows all components to be neatly stored inside — ideal for travel or organized storage at home.

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Components

You’ll need:

• Game Board (x1)
• Pegs (x37) – Insert into the board’s holes. Glue is optional but not necessary. The fit is tight enough, but still allows for easy replacement if a peg breaks. However if you print them as shown in the images, they’ll be very strong.
• Connectors (x~45) – I’m not a fan of rubber bands — they dry out, break, or get sticky. Feel free to use them if you like, but I recommend using the included connectors.
• Peg Cap (x37) - If you're using rubber bands, you can print a cap for each peg to prevent them from snapping off—avoiding the risk of hitting someone.

A few extra caps can also be used to lock connectors onto the pegs, making storage easier and more organized.

• Tokens (x28 per set) – Print 4 sets in different colors.
• Token Tray (x4) – Hold each player’s tokens. The trays combine to form a full circle that fits under the board and locks in place for secure storage.

When printing the Token Trays, I recommend using lite Dual Clips for extra stability, making it easy to put them together. Each flat side has 3 slots — usually, 1 Lite Dual Clip is enough. If needed, you can use up to 3 or switch to the non lite version for a stronger grip.

You can also print the Clip Removal Tool; there’s a video showing how to use it.

This clip design is by Jonathan, the creator of Multiboard — check out his amazing work! I use it everywhere I can.

OR Instead of the Token Tray you can print a:

• Lid (x1) – An alternative to the platforms. This single piece secures all player pieces inside the board — ideal if you prefer a simpler print. Note: it doesn’t provide individual slots for the pieces during game play, but that’s not a major issue.

If you're using rubber bands, you can print peg caps. These snap-fit parts help prevent the bands from slipping off the pegs. They can also be used to lock the connectors in place when storing them on the pegs, as shown in the pictures.

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Rules

The rules are simple yet allow for deep strategy, making Trilinks fun for players of all ages — including kids.

1. Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding set of tokens.
2. Decide who plays first (any method works).
3. Players take turns placing connectors on the board, each linking four consecutive pegs in a straight line.
4. When a connector completes one or more triangles (formed by the intersection of three connectors), the player places one of their tokens inside each completed triangle.
5. If a single connector forms multiple triangles, place a token in each one.
6. Players must plan to maximize triangle formations while blocking opponents from scoring.

Feel free to create your own rules! Make sure to share your idea with us!

Most importantly: have fun!

Winning

• The first player to place all their tokens on the board wins.
• If no further moves are possible, the player with the most tokens on the board wins.

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Printing Tips

To ensure your prints are functional, strong, and support-free where possible, check the 3mf and follow these guidelines:

• Game Board: Print upside down. You don’t need support — the small bridges are manageable if your cooling fan is on.
• Pegs: Print horizontally for maximum strength. Use a brim or Elmer’s Glue for better bed adhesion if needed (small footprint). See the images for orientation.
• Connectors: No special requirements.
• Tokens: Also straightforward.
• Token Tray: Print upside down. Only a small protrusion on the outer area needs support — add a modifier in your slicer to block support from the tokens slot. Use the cooling fan for better bridging. Refer to the images.
• Lid: No support needed. Just make sure the bridging lines are oriented for the shortest span (as shown in the images).
• Material: I used ASA, but any material like PLA, PETG, or ABS will work fine.
• Layer Height: Designed with 0.2 mm in mind. Thicker layers may still work.

By following the orientations shown in the images, you’ll minimize supports and maximize part strength — especially for the pins.