Pandemic: Contagion (2014) Board Game

Pandemic: Contagion is a standalone game in the Pandemic series, designed by Carey Grayson and published by Z-Man Games in in 2014. Unlike other games in the series where players work together to stop the spread of diseases, in Pandemic: Contagion, players take on the role of the diseases themselves, competing to infect cities and score the most points.

Game Components of Pandemic: Contagion

60 Contagion Cards

24 City Cards

12 Event Cards

6 WHO Cards

5 Player Disease Boards

5 Score Markers

5 Petri Dishes

75 Player Disease Cubes

1 Scoring Board

Rulebook.

How To Setup Pandemic: Contagion

To set up the game, each player receives an individual board showing the three main characteristics of their virus: Incubation, Infection, and Resistance, all starting at level 1. The “world” is represented by city cards dealt onto the table, each with a base color, population number, and special ability. Players start with a hand of four Contagion cards and a petri dish for their cubes. A timing deck is constructed with Event and WHO cards to track the 12 rounds of the game. Before the game begins, each player, in reverse turn order, gets to infect one city on the table.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Infect Cities: Place colored infection cubes in cities using matching Contagion cards.

Mutate Virus: Upgrade the Incubation, Infection, and Resistance levels of your virus.

Event Cards: Drawn at the start of each round, these can be beneficial or detrimental.

WHO Cards: Typically negative, these cards represent the World Health Organization’s efforts to stop the diseases.

City Eradication Scoring: Score points when a city is overwhelmed by disease, with the player who triggered the eradication getting additional actions.

Objective: The player with the highest death toll at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Players must balance long-term virus mutation with tactical short-term plays to infect cities and score points. The game is dynamic, with Event and WHO cards introducing random challenges and opportunities each round. This forces players to adapt their strategies frequently, making the game engaging and unpredictable. Early game decisions on whether to focus on mutating the virus or taking immediate actions can significantly impact the outcome.

Pros

Unique Twist: Reverses the traditional Pandemic gameplay, offering a fresh competitive experience.

Dynamic Gameplay: Event and WHO cards ensure each game is different and challenging.

Strategic Depth: Balancing short-term and long-term strategies adds complexity and replayability.

Competitive: Encourages direct competition among players, adding a fun and competitive edge.

Cons

Limited Card Variability: The number of Event and WHO cards might not be enough to significantly shake up the game each time.

Adaptation Required: Players need to constantly adjust their strategies based on the cards drawn, which can be stressful.

Personal Thoughts on Pandemic: Contagion

**Pandemic: Contagion** is ideal for players looking for a competitive game with strategic depth and a unique twist on a familiar theme. It suits those who enjoy adapting to changing circumstances and competing directly against others. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a cooperative experience or those who prefer more predictable gameplay. Overall, it’s a great addition to the Pandemic series for those ready to embrace the role of the villain.

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