Pandemic: On the Brink
- Designer Matt Leacock , Thomas Lehmann
- Publisher Z-Man Games , ADC Blackfire Entertainment , Albi , asmodee , Asterion Press
- Illustration Josh Cappel , Régis Moulun , Chris Quilliams , Hans-Georg Schneider , Tom Thiel
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
This expansion adds new event and role cards, rules for five players, and optional challenges to increase difficulty in the Pandemic base game. Challenges include a Virulent Strain making one disease deadlier, a Mutation challenge adding a fifth purple disease, and a Bio-Terrorist variant where one player opposes the others. These can be combined for more intense gameplay.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed for fans familiar with the base Pandemic game, suitable for ages 8 and up. It is a medium complexity game with about 45 minutes playtime. New players should understand the base game before adding these challenges.
How It Works
Players cooperate using action points to treat diseases and prevent outbreaks. The expansion introduces hand management and hidden movement mechanics, especially through the Bio-Terrorist who acts secretly against the group. New roles offer special abilities that require strategic use to keep the pandemic under control.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matt Leacock and Thomas Lehmann, this expansion won the 2009 Golden Geek Best Board Game Expansion award. It adds hidden movement and secret unit deployment mechanics to the popular cooperative Pandemic series, increasing tension and variety.
Awards
2009
Pro
- Supports up to 5 players
- New roles and event cards increase variety
- Optional challenges raise difficulty
- Cooperative gameplay with hidden movement and secret unit deployment
Contra
- Increased complexity compared to base game
- Not suitable for absolute beginners
- Playtime can extend with added challenges
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in a modern world, players coordinate medical teams to fight deadly diseases. The theme is medical-scientific, focusing on global pandemic control.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Familiarize yourself with the base Pandemic game before trying this expansion's challenges.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Pandemic: On the Brink is designed for 2-5 players and does not support a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 45 minutes but can be longer with expansion rules.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with the base Pandemic game is recommended as the expansion adds complexity.
How does this compare to similar games?
This expansion introduces hidden movement and secret unit deployment into the cooperative pandemic setting, making it unique among expansions.
Is this suitable for families?
Suitable for ages 8+, but due to increased complexity better for experienced family players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of hand management, hidden movement, and secret unit deployment adds tension and variety.
Fazit
A worthwhile expansion for Pandemic fans seeking more challenge and variety. Prior experience with the base game is recommended due to added complexity.
