Pandemic: The Cure – Rules, Instructions & Winning Strategy Tips

Introduction

Pandemic: The Cure is a dice-based game that takes the cooperative gameplay of its predecessor, the board game Pandemic, which I’ve also written a guide on. It turns the original board game into a faster-paced, through slightly more random, dice-driven experience. In this game, players work together as a team of disease-fighting specialists. Their mission is to treat diseases around the world while gathering resources for cures. The game was designed by Matt Leacock and published by Z-Man Games.

It’s a standalone game that came out in 2014, following the success of the original Pandemic board game. The idea is to save the world from four deadly diseases by rolling dice and using the results to fight off infections and research cures. It’s a game of chance, strategy, and teamwork. The game has won praise for its engaging mechanics and has become a favorite among fans of cooperative games.

Rules for playing Pandemic: The Cure

The rules of Pandemic: The Cure are straightforward but require attention to detail. Each player takes on a role with special abilities and has a set of dice representing the actions they can take on their turn. Players must treat diseases, collect samples, and find cures. The game is played in turns, with each turn consisting of four phases: rolling dice, taking actions, drawing infection dice, and checking for outbreaks.

The infection dice are rolled to determine where new infections occur. If too many outbreaks happen or if not enough dice are available when needed, the players lose the game. To win, players must discover cures for all four diseases before the time runs out or the world is overwhelmed by the diseases.

Equipment and Setup for Pandemic: The Cure

To play Pandemic: The Cure, you need the game box which includes 48 Infection dice, 7 Role dice, a ring of 6 regions on the game board, a Treatment Center, a CDC tile, an Outbreaks marker, an Infection Rate marker, and a number of Event cards. To set up the game, place the board in the center of the table, put the Treatment Center next to it, and place the Outbreaks and Infection Rate markers on their respective tracks. Each player selects a role, takes the corresponding Role dice and pawns, and places their pawn in the CDC. Then, prepare the Infection dice by rolling them and placing them in the regions indicated by their color and number.

How to Play Pandemic: The Cure

The gameplay of Pandemic: The Cure involves several key mechanics. Here’s a breakdown of the game phases:

1. Roll Dice: At the start of your turn, roll your Role dice. The results determine what actions you can take.
2. Take Actions: Use your dice to treat diseases, move between regions, collect samples, or find cures. You can also re-roll dice, but watch out for biohazard symbols that can increase the infection rate.
3. Draw Infection Dice: Draw and roll a number of Infection dice based on the current infection rate, placing them in the matching regions on the board.
4. Check for Outbreaks: If a region has more than 3 Infection dice, an outbreak occurs, spreading the disease and moving the Outbreak marker up one space.

The game ends when players either find cures for all four diseases (winning the game) or if the Outbreak marker reaches the last space or there are not enough Infection dice to draw (losing the game).

How to Win at Pandemic: The Cure

Winning at Pandemic: The Cure requires a mix of strategy and luck. Beginners should focus on learning the roles and how they can work together. Intermediate players can start to anticipate the flow of diseases and plan several turns ahead. Advanced players will be able to use Event cards to their full advantage and mitigate bad rolls with strategic thinking. Communication and collaboration are key; discuss your plans with your teammates and be flexible with your strategy as the game progresses.

Best Strategies for playing Pandemic: The Cure game

To win at Pandemic: The Cure, you need to employ the best strategies. Similar to the original game, I recommend always balance treating diseases with researching cures. Use your Role’s special abilities to the fullest and don’t be afraid to change plans if the situation changes. Keep an eye on the regions with the most dice to prevent outbreaks. Sometimes, it’s worth taking a risk with re-rolls to get the actions you need. And remember, Event cards can be game-changers, so use them wisely!

Variations

There are several variations to Pandemic: The Cure that can change the difficulty or gameplay. You can add more Event cards for a less challenging game or play with fewer cards for a harder game. Some players like to assign roles randomly to add an element of surprise. You can also create house rules, like changing how outbreaks are handled or adjusting the number of dice drawn during the infection phase.

Scenarios

Common scenarios in Pandemic: The Cure include facing a sudden surge of diseases in one region or dealing with a shortage of dice for treating diseases. When these happen, it’s important to stay calm and work with your team to find the best solution. Sometimes, sacrificing a turn to treat diseases can prevent an outbreak, or using an Event card at the right moment can save the game.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Pandemic: The Cure game

1. Q: What happens if I roll too many biohazards?
   A: If you roll biohazards, increase the infection rate. If it reaches the skull symbol, an epidemic occurs.
2. Q: Can I share samples with other players?
   A: Yes, you can share samples with players in the same region as you.
3. Q: How many times can I re-roll my dice?
   A: You can re-roll any or all of your dice once per turn, but each biohazard symbol rolled is locked and cannot be re-rolled.
4. Q: What do I do if there are no more Infection dice to draw?
   A: If there are no more Infection dice to draw, the game ends and players lose.
5. Q: Can I move to any region on the board?
   A: You can move to any region by using a die with the airplane symbol or by using other special abilities.

External Links

For more information on Pandemic: The Cure, including official rulebooks and updates, you can visit the publisher’s website:

Pandemic: The Cure Review [Video]

Pandemic: The Cure – Core Rulebook [EN/PDF]