How To Play: Zombicide: Black Plague – Setup, rule summary and strategy

Quick Summary

Zombicide: Black Plague is an immersive cooperative board game set in a dark, zombie-infested world. This strategy guide has covered essential aspects to help you achieve victory. From mission objectives and combat tactics to character abilities and resource management, we've provided insights into the best strategies for success. Understanding the setup, turn structure, and the utilization of powerful weapons are critical to survival. Effective communication, teamwork, and specialization of character abilities enhance your chances further. As you navigate through scenarios and combat hordes of zombies, resource management plays a crucial role in maintaining your survivability. Gathering supplies and utilizing them wisely will keep you one step ahead of the relentless undead. With a firm grasp of the rules and critical strategies outlined in this guide, you can strategize, optimize, and lead your team to victory. But be prepared, challenges lie around every corner. Your decisions and actions will shape the course of the game, and only well-coordinated teamwork can ensure your survival. So, arm yourself with knowledge, adapt to changing circumstances, and explore the captivating and harrowing world of Zombicide: Black Plague.

Overview

Welcome to our comprehensive strategy guide for Zombicide: Black Plague! Whether you are a seasoned survivor or new to the post-apocalyptic world, this guide is here to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to conquer the hordes of undead and emerge victorious. In this guide, we will not only provide you with a concise outline of the game rules, but also delve deep into the best strategies and tactics to ensure your survival. From mission objectives to combat techniques, resource management to character abilities, we will cover all aspects to help you devise winning strategies in Zombicide: Black Plague.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the dark and treacherous world of this highly acclaimed cooperative survival game. Gather your friends, choose your characters wisely, and get ready to fight your way through numerous scenarios and face endless waves of relentless zombies. As you embark on this adventure, our guide will be your trusty companion, offering valuable insights and tips to enhance your gameplay experience and increase your chances of survival.

So grab your weapons, sharpen your wits, and let’s delve into the secrets of survival in Zombicide: Black Plague.

What’s in the box

  • You will find the following components included in Zombicide: Black Plague:
  • 71 highly detailed miniature figures
  • 9 double-sided game tiles
  • 6 survivor identity cards
  • 48 equipment cards
  • 48 zombie cards
  • 6 dice
  • 125 tokens
  • 6 experience trackers
  • 1 first player token
  • Several scenario cards and rules booklets

How To Play Zombicide: Black Plague: Rules Summary

Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Zombicide: Black Plague! In this section, we will outline the key rules and gameplay mechanics to help you get started quickly. Let’s begin!

1. Setup
  1. Lay out the game tiles and place survivor and zombie figures in their starting locations.
  2. Each player chooses a survivor character and takes their corresponding identity card, miniature, and equipment cards.
  3. Shuffle the equipment deck and draw a number of cards for each player.
  4. Shuffle the zombie deck, spawn zombie groups according to the scenario, and place them on the board.
2. Turns and Actions
  1. At the start of each turn, draw and resolve a zombie card to determine the movements of the undead.
  2. During their turn, each survivor gets three actions, such as moving, searching, attacking, or using specific abilities.
  3. Survivors can trade items, share information, and perform actions in any order.
  4. Zombies activate after each survivor’s turn, following specific movement and attack patterns.
3. Combat and Reactions
  1. To attack a zombie, survivors roll dice based on their weapon’s statistics, aiming to roll equal to or higher than the zombie’s activation number.
  2. Wounded survivors can take damage and may go into a “Frenzy” state, becoming more powerful but also losing control.
  3. Survivors can perform additional actions, such as dodging or pushing zombies, and can receive help from nearby teammates.
  4. Zombies react to certain survivor actions, potentially spawning more zombies to increase the challenge.
4. Achieving the objective
  1. Each scenario in Zombicide: Black Plague has specific objectives to accomplish, such as finding items, activating specific locations, or fighting epic bosses.
  2. Survivors and their team must work together, communicating and coordinating actions to survive and complete the objectives.
  3. If the survivors fulfill the objective, they win the scenario and continue their adventure in the surviving world.

These simplified rules are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to playing Zombicide: Black Plague. Familiarize yourself with the complete rulebook to explore the game’s detailed mechanics and delve deep into the thrilling zombie-infested world!

Best Zombicide Black Plague Strategies

Mission Objectives and Strategies

In Zombicide: Black Plague, understanding the mission objectives and implementing effective strategies is crucial for success. Each scenario presents unique challenges and goals that require careful planning and coordination. Here are some strategies to maximize your chances of achieving victory:

Gather Essential Supplies

  1. Search buildings and spawn points for weapons, items, and equipment to bolster your survivor’s abilities.
  2. Prioritize looting areas near mission objectives for crucial mission-specific items.
  3. Assign individuals to scavenge while others provide cover and support.

Divide and Conquer

  1. Splitting up into smaller teams can help you accomplish multiple objectives simultaneously.
  2. Assign characters with high combat abilities to clear out areas with large numbers of zombies while others focus on completing objectives.
  3. Use chokepoints and barriers to funnel and control zombie movement.

Time Management

  1. Efficiently use your actions and weigh risks versus rewards before every move.
  2. Prioritize objectives based on urgency and their impact on your overall strategy.
  3. Coordinate turns to optimize survivor special abilities and maximize efficiency.

By employing these mission objectives and strategies, you can work towards completing scenarios and emerge victorious against the unholy horde of undead that lurks in The Black Plague.

Effective Teamwork and Communication

In Zombicide: Black Plague, effective teamwork and communication are vital for survival. Cooperative coordination and clear communication among players can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Here are some strategies to optimize teamwork and communication:

Assign Roles and Specializations

  1. Designate roles for each survivor based on their abilities and strengths.
  2. Assign specific tasks to each player, such as searching for supplies, clearing paths, or guarding vulnerable survivors.
  3. Encourage cooperation and emphasize the importance of synergy between characters.

Coordinate Turns and Actions

  1. Plan and coordinate actions for each turn to maximize efficiency and minimize risks.
  2. Discuss and strategize as a team before making crucial decisions.
  3. Consider the order of player turns and the potential impact on the overall mission objectives.

Share Information and Support

  1. Share important information about item locations, zombie movements, and potential dangers.
  2. Offer support and assistance to team members who may be overwhelmed or at risk.
  3. Effectively communicate the game’s progress and adjust strategies as the situation evolves.

By employing effective teamwork and communication, your team can optimize their efficiency, overcome challenges, and increase your chances of survival in the face of the relentless zombie horde.

Resource Management

Effective resource management is a key aspect of success in Zombicide: Black Plague. Wisely allocating and utilizing resources can greatly improve your chances of survival. Here are some strategies for optimal resource management:

Ammo Conservation

  1. Consider melee weapons as an alternative to firearms to conserve ammunition.
  2. Prioritize headshots when using ranged attacks to save bullets and increase accuracy.
  3. Use weapons strategically, reserving stronger ones for larger groups of zombies or tougher adversaries.

Item Prioritization

  1. Prioritize searching for weapons and armor over consumable items, such as food or medicine.
  2. Focus on finding mission-specific items that directly contribute to the completion of objectives.
  3. Consider the needs and abilities of individual survivors when distributing found items.

Inventory Management

  1. Balance equippable items and utility items, ensuring a well-rounded inventory for the team.
  2. Consider the carrying capacity of each survivor and avoid overloading them with unnecessary items.
  3. Regularly reassess and optimize inventories based on the evolving needs of the mission.

By implementing effective resource management strategies, you can make the most of limited supplies, maximize your survivability, and increase your chances of emerging triumphant against the relentless undead threat.

Combat Tactics and Weapon Selection

In Zombicide: Black Plague, mastering combat tactics and choosing the right weapons for each situation is essential for survival. Understanding effective combat strategies and utilizing the strengths of different weapons can vastly improve your chances of success. Here are some strategies to employ in combat:

Focus on Crowd Control

  1. Prioritize eliminating groups of zombies to prevent overwhelming your survivors.
  2. Coordinate attacks to maximize damage and eliminate multiple zombies with a single strike.
  3. Utilize area-of-effect weapons, such as spells or explosives, to clear large hordes of undead.

Consider Range and Efficiency

  1. Choose weapons that have a range and type suitable for specific encounters.
  2. Balance melee and ranged attacks based on the number and location of nearby zombies.
  3. Opt for weapons with high efficiency, allowing you to kill or disable multiple zombies with a single attack.

Strategic Positioning and Movement

  1. Use line of sight and doors as defensive tools to limit the number of zombies engaging your survivors.
  2. Establish chokepoints, forcing zombies into narrow spaces for more controlled encounters.
  3. Constantly evaluate the positioning and movement of your survivors to maintain an advantageous defensive position.

By employing effective combat tactics and selecting the right weapons for each encounter, you can overcome the relentless undead and secure your chances of emerging victorious in Zombicide: Black Plague.

Character Abilities and Specialization

In Zombicide: Black Plague, understanding the unique abilities of your survivors and optimizing their specialization is crucial for success. Each character brings their own strengths to the team, and utilizing their abilities effectively can greatly enhance your chances of survival. Here are some strategies to consider when it comes to character abilities and specialization:

Create a Balanced Team

  1. Form a group with a mix of different abilities to cover a wide range of challenges.
  2. Assign roles to characters based on their specific expertise, such as combat, searching, healing, or support.
  3. Consider the synergy between survivor abilities, and employ cooperative tactics that capitalize on their collective strengths.

Utilize Special Abilities

  1. Familiarize yourself with the unique special abilities of each survivor and exploit them in appropriate situations.
  2. Strategically plan and coordinate actions to take advantage of special abilities during critical moments.
  3. Combine abilities of different characters to create powerful synergies that can turn the tide of battle.

Focus on Character Development

  1. Invest experience points into improving character attributes or unlocking new abilities.
  2. Consider the long-term development of your survivors and choose upgrades that align with your team’s overall strategy.
  3. Prioritize leveling up core abilities to enhance their effectiveness in combat or support roles.

By understanding and maximizing the abilities of your survivor characters, you can build a formidable team that is capable of taking on the challenges that await in Zombicide: Black Plague.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our strategy guide for Zombicide: Black Plague. Armed with comprehensive insights, tips, and tactics, you are now equipped to navigate the ruthless world infested with the undead. Whether you’re a survivor seeking your next adventure or a group of friends ready to face the zombie horde, this guide has provided you with essential knowledge to increase your chances of survival.

Remember, each scenario presents unique challenges, and adaptive strategies and teamwork are critical to emerging victorious. Explore the strengths of your characters, leverage their abilities, and make the most out of available resources. Solid communication and cooperation translate into triumph against the zombie menace.

Now it’s time to don your armor, gather your weapons, and plunge into the darkness. Stay vigilant, watch each other’s backs, and face the hordes with unwavering determination. Brace yourself for an adrenaline-pumping experience as you fight for survival in the plague-ridden world of Zombicide: Black Plague.

Let the campaign begin and never forget, your destiny is in your hands. Good luck!

Want to know what we think of Zombicide: Black Plague? Read our detailed review of Zombicide: Black Plague here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.