How to Play Pandemic Hot Zone North America: Complete Guide & Strategy (2024)

Quick Reference: This guide takes 10 minutes to read and teaches you how to save North America from dangerous diseases in this exciting cooperative game.

Game Overview

What You Need to Know First

Pandemic Hot Zone North America is a faster version of the popular Pandemic game. You and your friends work as disease control specialists trying to save North America from three dangerous diseases. Each player has special abilities, and you'll need to work together to win. Think of it like being part of an emergency medical team racing against time!

The game uses a map of North America where cities are connected by lines. Three diseases threaten different regions: yellow fever in the south, blue flu in the east, and red pox in the west. The more disease cubes in a city, the worse the problem is!

Core Objectives

Main Goals

• Find cures for all three diseases
• Stop diseases from spreading
• Work as a team
• Prevent outbreaks

Ways to Win

• Find all three cures OR
• Find two cures AND remove all cubes of one disease (eradication)

Ways to Lose

• 8 outbreaks happen
• Run out of disease cubes
• No cards left in player deck

Setup Instructions

Setup Steps

Board Setup

• Put board in middle of table
• Place research station in Atlanta
• Set infection rate marker at start
• Put outbreak marker on zero

Disease Setup

• Shuffle infection cards
• Draw 3 cards: put 3 cubes in each city
• Draw 3 more: put 2 cubes in each city
• Draw 3 last cards: put 1 cube in each city

Player Setup

• Give each player a role card
• Deal starting cards:
  • 2 players: 4 cards each
  • 3 players: 3 cards each
  • 4 players: 2 cards each
• Put all pawns in Atlanta

How to Play

Basic Actions

Movement Options

• Drive/Ferry: Move to connected city
• Direct Flight: Use city card to go there
• Charter Flight: Use current city card to go anywhere
• Shuttle Flight: Move between research stations

Special Actions

• Treat Disease: Remove one cube
• Build Research Station: Use city card
• Share Knowledge: Trade matching city cards
• Discover Cure: Use 4 matching cards at station

Strategy Guide

Table Caption:

Advanced Tactics

Disease Control

• Focus on cities with 3 cubes first
• Create “safe zones” between infected areas
• Watch the infection discard pile
• Prevent chain outbreaks

Team Coordination

• Plan moves together
• Share cards efficiently
• Use role powers wisely
• Build research stations strategically

Role Guide

Role Combinations

Medic + Dispatcher

• Dispatcher moves Medic to trouble spots
• Great for outbreak control
• Fast disease cleanup

Scientist + Researcher

• Share cards easily
• Find cures quickly
• Best cure-finding team

Common Questions

Teaching Guide

Practice Tips

First Game Tips

• Focus on basic moves
• Treat nearby diseases
• Learn card uses

Advanced Tips

• Plan ahead
• Use role powers
• Watch outbreak chains

Game Variations

Table Caption: Different Ways to Play

Pro Tips

General Advice

Card Management

• Keep some cards for travel
• Plan card sharing
• Track the discard pile

Disease Control

• Watch for outbreak chains
• Keep buffer zones clean
• Focus on danger areas

City Priority

Key Cities

• Chicago (central hub)
• Atlanta (starting point)
• Los Angeles (west coast)
• Montreal (north route)

Trouble Spots

• Connected cities
• High cube areas
• Chain reaction risks

Remember:

1. Communication is key
2. Plan your moves ahead
3. Work together
4. Use role abilities wisely
5. Watch the infection deck

By following this guide, you'll be ready to save North America from disease outbreaks. Keep practicing, stay alert, and most importantly – work as a team!

Now you know everything needed to play Pandemic Hot Zone North America. Happy disease fighting!