Pathogenesis (2017) Board Game

Pathogenesis is a card game that was released in 2017 and designed by somersault

It falls under the categories of Card Game, Educational, and Medical games, making it a unique addition to the world of tabletop games. With its focus on building decks and pools, as well as cooperative gameplay, Pathogenesis offers players a chance to dive into the world of microbiology and infection.

Game Components of Pathogenesis

Starter decks including pathogens and New DNA cards

Active Gene Pool cards (pathogens, toxins, traits, environment cards)

Immune Response cards

Petri dishes (plastic)

Tokens (generic tokens, Damage tokens, IgG tokens)

Barrier cards for each body tract

How To Setup Pathogenesis

To set up Pathogenesis, each player selects a starting deck and chooses six New DNA cards, then shuffles these with four pathogens to create their initial deck. Players draw five cards from their deck to form their starting hand. Tokens are placed off to the side to create the token supply pools. The player order is determined, with subsequent players receiving additional generic tokens. The game is now ready to begin, with players poised to attack the body.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Deck Building: Players purchase cards to enhance their pathogens.

Card Drafting: Buying cards from the Active Gene Pool.

Cooperative Game: Players can work together to defeat the body.

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building: Managing and upgrading the deck.

Game Objective

Survive the Immune Response: Pathogens must evade the immune system.

Adapt and Evolve: Increase attack, defense, and other abilities.

Damage the Body: Remove damage tokens from the targeted body tracts.

Win Conditions:
– Cooperative: Deplete the correct number of body tracts before the immune system becomes too strong.
– Competitive: Collect the most damage tokens if the body does not become immune.

Player Experience

Pathogenesis offers a unique blend of strategic deck building and scientific accuracy, making it engaging for both avid gamers and science enthusiasts. The game is highly scalable, allowing players to choose their level of difficulty and game length. With multiple game modes (solo, cooperative, competitive, and team play), players can enjoy different experiences depending on their preferences.

Pros

Educational Value: Rooted in real science, making it a great tool for learning about pathogens and the immune system.

High Replayability: Different card combinations and game modes provide varied gameplay experiences.

Scalable Difficulty: Players can adjust the difficulty to suit their skill level.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines deck building with strategic pathogen management.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous card types and mechanics.

Length: Games can be longer than expected, especially in cooperative modes.

Theme: The morbid aspect of playing as pathogens might not appeal to everyone.

Personal Thoughts on Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis is ideal for fans of deck-building games, science enthusiasts, and educators looking for a unique teaching tool. It appeals to a wide range of players, from high school students to college learners and beyond, due to its educational value and engaging gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a light, casual gaming experience or those who are sensitive to the theme of pathogenic infections.

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