In Pandemic, several virulent diseases have broken out simultaneously all over the world! The players are disease-fighting specialists whose mission is to treat disease hotspots while researching cures for each of four plagues before they get out of hand.
The game board depicts several major population centers on Earth. On each turn, a player can use up to four actions to travel between cities, treat infected populaces, discover a cure, or build a research station. A deck of cards provides the players with these abilities, but sprinkled throughout this deck are Epidemic! cards that accelerate and intensify the diseases' activity. A second, separate deck of cards controls the "normal" spread of the infections.
Taking a unique role within the team, players must plan their strategy to mesh with their specialists' strengths in order to conquer the diseases. For example, the Operations Expert can build research stations which are needed to find cures for the diseases and which allow for greater mobility between cities; the Scientist needs only four cards of a particular disease to cure it instead of the normal five—but the diseases are spreading quickly and time is running out. If one or more diseases spreads beyond recovery or if too much time elapses, the players all lose. If they cure the four diseases, they all win!
The 2013 edition of Pandemic includes two new characters—the Contingency Planner and the Quarantine Specialist—not available in earlier editions of the game.
Pandemic is the first game in the Pandemic series.
There are a few things that get under my skin in the hobby of board gaming. Dive in to find out what I would consider my top six!
The classic word association game Dixit turned 15 years old last year…and the game has remained popular for a reason. Join Justin for a discussion about why...
Join the Meeple Mountain team as we look back on our first experiences with modern board games, and talk about our feelings on the idea of “gateway games”.
Justin reads a ton of tabletop game rulebooks. Find out more about the two people he thinks are the best rules writers and proofreaders in the business in his...
A selection of my choice of gateway games from my collection. YMMV, of course.
Tabletop game themes across the hobby are increasingly diverse, but there’s one area that’s conspicuous in its absence. Join Meeple Mountain as we ask - where...
More than a decade after its release, this board game is still going strong. Read why Pandemic is a game we love.
3D printers are an affordable, fun way of creating all sorts of useful things. See how I’ve used 3D printing to improve some of my favorite games in this Top 6...
This is everything you ever wanted to know about the Spiel des Jahres board game awards, including a complete list of every winner, nominee, and recommendee...
If you’ve played a few cooperative games, you might have come across a quarterback. You may even be one! Luckily, we’ve got a few tips to put the “co-“ back in...
What’s your sign? And what does your horoscope say about you as a board gamer? Read our Board Game Astrology feature to find out!
Everybody has a story about the game that got them into this lovely hobby of ours. For me that game was Ticket to Ride, but it wasn’t quite love at first sight...
What sorts of data would you get if you could survey board gamers worldwide? Paul did just that and is sharing his results with you! Find out who's coming to...
Agree or disagree, these 6 games changed the face of hobby board gaming forever. What games are they? You might be surprised.
We all love board gaming with our friends and family, but sometimes you just want to curl up with a good book. Here are some great recommendations inspired by...
Here at Meeple Mountain we know that gaming tastes are decidedly subjective. Let's combine that with just about the only thing that is more subjective--music...
New to board gaming and looking to expand? Seasoned veteran unsure of where to go from here? Can't decide which game to introduce your friends to next? Check...
Time to start shopping for holiday gifts! Whether you are a gamer hoping to bring someone else into the hobby, a parent looking to get the family around the...
Have you ever wondered what kind of gamer you are? Do you know why you enjoy the games that you do? Check out our top six types of gamers, and see what sort...
I’m trying something new and experimental this week. Come check out my Top Six date night games with a twist! This Top Six list comes in story form! Read on to...