The new rare earth metal ( RE)–nickel–indides Dy 5Ni 2In 4 and RE 4Ni 11In 20 ( RE=Gd, Tb, Dy) were synthesized from the elements by arc-melting. Well-shaped single crystals were obtained by special annealing sequences. The four indides were investigated by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals: Lu 5Ni 2In 4 type, Pbam, Z=2, a=1784.2(8), b=787.7(3), c=359.9(1) pm, w R 2=0.0458, 891 F 2 values, 36 variables for Dy 5Ni 2In 4, U 4Ni 11Ga 20 type, C2/ m, a=2254.0(9), b=433.8(3), c=1658.5(8) pm, β=124.59(2)°, w R 2=0.0794, 2154 F 2 values, 108 variables for Gd 4Ni 11In 20, a=2249.9(8), b=432.2(1), c=1657.9(5) pm, β=124.59(2)°, w R 2=0.0417, 2147 F 2 values, 108 variables for Tb 4Ni 11In 20, and a=2252.2(5), b=430.6(1), c=1659.7(5) pm, β=124.58(2)°, w R 2=0.0550, 2003 F 2 values, 109 variables for Dy 4Ni 10.80In 20.20. The 2 d site in the dysprosium compound shows mixed Ni/In occupancy. Most nickel atoms in both series of compounds exhibit trigonal prismatic coordination by indium and rare earth atoms. Additionally, in the RE 4Ni 11In 20 compounds one observes one-dimensional nickel clusters (259 pm Ni 1–Ni 6 in Dy 4Ni 10.80In 20.20) that are embedded in an indium matrix. While only one short In 1–In 2 contact at 324 pm is observed in Dy 5Ni 2In 4, the more indium-rich Dy 4Ni 10.80In 20.20 structure exhibits a broader range in In–In interactions (291–364 pm). Together the nickel and indium atoms build up polyanionic networks, a two-dimensional one in Dy 5Ni 2In 4 and a complex three-dimensional network in Dy 4Ni 10.80In 20.20. These features have a clear consequence on the dysprosium coordination, i.e. a variety of short Dy–Dy contacts (338–379 pm) in Dy 5Ni 2In 4, while the dysprosium atoms are well separated (430 pm shortest Dy–Dy distance) within the distorted hexagonal channels of the [Ni 10.80In 20.20] polyanion of Dy 4Ni 10.80In 20.20. The crystal chemistry of both structure types is comparatively discussed.