Pandemic
Introduction to Pandemic
Pandemic launched in 2008 from Z-Man Games. Matt Leacock drew up each character with a special skill. Players take on roles like the Medic who clears all cubes in a city with one move. The Scientist collects fewer city cards to cure a virus. Four deadly diseases spread across a global map. Reaching the outbreak limit stops the session. Running out of cubes halts play. An empty player deck ends the campaign.
Each turn players jump from one city to another. They remove infection pieces to contain hot spots. They trade cards and chase cure breakthroughs. Drawing epidemic cards forces sudden new infections. The infection rate climbs and disease spreads. Every outbreak raises tension. Teams adjust moves on the fly. They juggle urgent threats with cure progress. Each session feels fresh and demanding.
On the Brink gives a fifth virus and extra challenge cards. Players find a lab board in the In the Lab expansion for tracking cure progress. The dice variant tests luck against strategy with each roll. The legacy campaign changes rules after every scenario. Each add-on keeps players on edge. Fans return for fresh challenges.