It's now time to draw cards and see where the dread diseases spread first.
Pandemic the Board Game (Play-by-Forum)
- Thread starter topsecret
- Start date
Pregame
Year 2033, January 8th
Recent reports indicate that an outbreak of the Black Death has been spotted in the city of Delhi. This concerns researchers, as it was previously thought the disease was destroyed following the successful eradication of many diseases during the '20s. [Delhi receives three black disease cubes.]Year 2033, January 8th
The city of Beijing is struggling to contain a massive influx of patients with Blood Flood, a new virus rapidly spreading through China. This virus seems difficult to contain and displays similar characteristics to the Ebola disease. [Beijing receives three red disease cubes.]
London is facing fierce criticism after refusing to close its airports due to a resurgence of the Blue Lip Choke. Several scientists point out the lack of funding on treating the disease, and epidemiologists are concerned the Choke will spread to other parts of the world. [London receives three blue disease cubes.]
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The city of Sydney is also facing the spread of the Blood Flood, with reports suggesting the situation will get worse within weeks. [Sydney receives two red disease cubes.]
Baghdad has also been faced with a disease problem, citing a lack of sanitation provisions and economic ability to fight back the Black Death. [Baghdad receives two black disease cubes.]
A new outbreak of the Yellow Fever has doctors concerned that four dangerous diseases could be spreading simultaneously. [Lagos receives two yellow disease cubes.]
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Finally, local stations report small outbreaks of disease in Montréal, Kolkata, and Bogotá. It is unknown if these cases are connected to the larger outbreaks throughout the world. [Montréal, Kolkata, and Bogotá receive one disease cube of their respective colors.]
This is the current state of the world:
I will add it to the OP as well, and then I'll call it a night. I'll finish the last minute details tomorrow and you'll be ready to save the world!
I will add it to the OP as well, and then I'll call it a night. I'll finish the last minute details tomorrow and you'll be ready to save the world!
Pertinent information added to the first post. Roles and Rules added to the second.
Good night, and see you all at 11 EDT.
I'll drop some strategy tips around tomorrow, and I'll help if you all need it, but I also want to see what strategies you come up with together. 
Good night, and see you all at 11 EDT.
I'll drop some strategy tips around tomorrow, and I'll help if you all need it, but I also want to see what strategies you come up with together.
Turn One
Year 2033, January 15th
***CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT***Year 2033, January 15th
President's Notes, March 2025
As president of the United States, it behooves me to prepare for the future. Therefore, I am passing this order as a classified order, with the provision that it is declassified in case of a future major disaster. Several scientists and epidemiologists I have conversed with are recommending some special form of action in case the United States faces another pandemic. With this in mind, I am forming a special "Pandemic Task Force," to be composed of our best and brightest.
I have selected four experts to combat this disease. Congress has given us the power to fund them in any way needed, provided the threat is large enough. They will be able to combat disease globally, in order that the United States and the world are protected from these threats. Without hesitation, they will be able to combat the threat that we all face.
State of the World:
@Marcher Jovian:
You have the highest population on your city card (Lima), so you will go first. You are currently stationed at the CDC Research Station in Atlanta. You have 4 actions. Choose any in a mix and match fashion:
Drive/Ferry: Move to a connected city.
Direct Flight: Discard a card to fly to that city.
Charter Flight: Discard a card to fly from that city to anywhere.
Shuttle Flight: Move between research stations.
Treat Disease: Remove 1 Disease Cube from your city, or all of a cured color.
Discover a Cure: Spend 4 cards of the same color at a research station to cure a disease. (It only costs 4 because you are the Scientist.)
Share Knowledge: Give/Take a card that matches your city with someone also in that city. (You may take any card from Tim.)
Build Research Station: Spend a card matching your city to build a research station there.
You are the Scientist. (The white pawn.)
You only need 4 cards to Discover a Cure.
Current Cards
@Synsensa
@Timsup2nothin
@Golden1Knight
You all need to choose the order in which turns will go. Marcher goes first but you are free to decide the rest of your turn order.
You are all stationed at the CDC Research Station in Atlanta.
Also, since this is a cooperative game, it will help to talk things out, establish a plan, and so on. I will post strategy tips shortly, along with answering any questions you have.
Orders are tentatively due at 2 PM tomorrow (giving you more time, but if you need more, it's totally fine.
)Infection Rate: 2 Cities per turn
Outbreaks: Zero.
Epidemic Possible?: Yes.
Player Details and Current Hands:
Spoiler :
Infection Discard Pile (These cards will be shuffled in to be repeated when an epidemic occurs.)
Spoiler :
Last edited:
Synobun
Deity
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2006
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- 24,884
The building on Atlanta is a free lab, right? How many labs can we have in total? (IIRC, 4?)
Since my usefulness early game looks to be in establishing research stations around the world, I don't think my order matters much. I'll go 2nd if the others don't want to.
Oh, another question: Can you stack Treat Disease actions? Like using it twice to remove two disease cubes?
Since my usefulness early game looks to be in establishing research stations around the world, I don't think my order matters much. I'll go 2nd if the others don't want to.
Oh, another question: Can you stack Treat Disease actions? Like using it twice to remove two disease cubes?
Strategy Tips:
Prioritize 3 cube cities. As soon as an epidemic occurs, those can turn into outbreaks and lots of cubes fast. 8 outbreaks = Game Over. No cubes in supply = Game Over. This is the most important advice in the game.
Play to your abilities. As the medic, Golden1Knight is excellent at treating disease. Tim, on the other hand, can hand out cards without having to meet up in specific cities: you can meet anywhere.
Synsensa can move fast and throwing down research stations means he can help establish quick shuttle routes between hotspots. Marcher is good at discovering cures easier, since you only need four cards.
Don't be afraid to spend cards. Spending cards to move faster means you spend less time moving. That's more time treating and sharing knowledge. On the other hand...
Don't spend too much of one color. Sometimes you might go a while without a color, so make sure you are trying to get the same color cards in the hands of one player. (Especially the scientist.)
I'll add more as they come to me.
Prioritize 3 cube cities. As soon as an epidemic occurs, those can turn into outbreaks and lots of cubes fast. 8 outbreaks = Game Over. No cubes in supply = Game Over. This is the most important advice in the game.
Play to your abilities. As the medic, Golden1Knight is excellent at treating disease. Tim, on the other hand, can hand out cards without having to meet up in specific cities: you can meet anywhere.
Synsensa can move fast and throwing down research stations means he can help establish quick shuttle routes between hotspots. Marcher is good at discovering cures easier, since you only need four cards.
Don't be afraid to spend cards. Spending cards to move faster means you spend less time moving. That's more time treating and sharing knowledge. On the other hand...
Don't spend too much of one color. Sometimes you might go a while without a color, so make sure you are trying to get the same color cards in the hands of one player. (Especially the scientist.)
I'll add more as they come to me.
Yes, the CDC is a free one. You can have 6 actually. Thanks for asking that.The building on Atlanta is a free lab, right? How many labs can we have in total? (IIRC, 4?)
Since my usefulness early game looks to be in establishing research stations around the world, I don't think my order matters much. I'll go 2nd if the others don't want to.
Oh, another question: Can you stack Treat Disease actions? Like using it twice to remove two disease cubes?
You can also move quickly. If you slap down a research station, you can discard any card to go anywhere as the Operations Expert. (Once per turn.) That's powerful combined with the fact you can build one wherever you start!
Yes, you can treat twice or even three times in the same city.
Marcher Jovian
Emperor
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,242
I think I see like 3 reasonable turns for me:
1. Move to London, remove a disease cube. This is like a “safe” option that preserves a card and helps handle a 3-cube spot. Downside is that we don’t immediately go to the hotspots in Asia
2. Burn a card to fly to Hong Kong, start treating disease in the area. This’ll immediately get the ball rolling on dealing with the most dangerous place. Downside is that it costs a card.
3. Just walk to Hong Kong to prepare to plop down a research center next turn. Downside is that I don’t actually treat any disease this turn. Upside is that a research center in Hong Kong is absurdly valuable.
I’m leaning option 1 right now, but I’d like to hear thoughts.
1. Move to London, remove a disease cube. This is like a “safe” option that preserves a card and helps handle a 3-cube spot. Downside is that we don’t immediately go to the hotspots in Asia
2. Burn a card to fly to Hong Kong, start treating disease in the area. This’ll immediately get the ball rolling on dealing with the most dangerous place. Downside is that it costs a card.
3. Just walk to Hong Kong to prepare to plop down a research center next turn. Downside is that I don’t actually treat any disease this turn. Upside is that a research center in Hong Kong is absurdly valuable.
I’m leaning option 1 right now, but I’d like to hear thoughts.
I have one more specific advice for this turn, that would be natural if you had played the game before anyway.
Marcher, you can take any cards from Tim because of his ability. I would probably spend an action taking the yellow card so you have two unless you need that action to do something more important, such as treat in a 3-cube city.
Marcher, you can take any cards from Tim because of his ability. I would probably spend an action taking the yellow card so you have two unless you need that action to do something more important, such as treat in a 3-cube city.
Which you would need 4 for London, so maybe it's not totally pertinent now. But don't forget this ability later. It is key to winning easier and faster.
Marcher Jovian
Emperor
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- Jul 12, 2013
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I guess taking this into account we can handle where people should go. G1K can probs fly to Baghdad to handle the black death. Syn can take the reds. Tim can go to London. I guess I could grab the card and head to like Bogota to keep an eye on yellow fever?
Marcher Jovian
Emperor
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,242
The downside to this plan is there’s a small delay in treating 3-cube cities. That might be fine, that might go horribly wrong. Going to London might just be the safer option.
Yes, although you will draw an epidemic within the first 6 turns. They are basically seeded throughout the deck anywhere in stacks of 10/11. I will inform you when it is and is not possible to draw one.
So I think your original idea of knocking out a 3-cube ASAP would be good.
Cross-post.
I am not controlling the disease, btw. The cards are doing that. 
I've added a line to the updates that will tell you if you could draw an epidemic card.
