Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads

Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads is a board game that challenges players to band together amidst the chaos of a post-apocalyptic world. With 2 to 5 players taking on the role of different factions of survivors, they must deal with the constant threats of the undead and the hardships of a harsh winter, while trying to keep their colony alive. Each player has a secret objective which, although aligned with the well-being of the group, can lead them to act selfishly or treacherously. These goals have a significant impact on the dynamics of the game, as they can range from a simple quest for resources to a desire to sabotage the collective efforts. The story unfolds through difficult choices and moral dilemmas, requiring players to balance their own needs with those of the colony. The game incorporates a strong narrative, where actions and decisions influence not only immediate survival, but also the emotional climate of the group. Dead of Winter stands out for its level of difficulty and the need for strategic planning and collaboration, as even the slightest of decisions can have drastic repercussions, making each game a unique and tension-filled experience. Get ready to face not only the dangers of the outside world, but also the weaknesses and ambitions of the players themselves.

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

At the start of the game, distribute survivor cards to the players and place their miniatures on the indicated places on the board. Each player receives a secret objective, in addition to the colony's main objective.

Each turn, roll action dice. Use these dice to perform actions, such as moving between locations, searching for items or killing zombies. Actions require strategic use of these dice, so plan carefully.

Take care of the colony's morale. If morale drops to zero, everyone loses. Take the necessary actions to keep morale high, avoiding crises and feeding the survivors.

The rounds begin with the Crossroads card, which can activate events depending on what the players do. This creates complex decisions that affect the narrative and dynamics of the game.

Attend to crises during the game, as failing to do so will result in severe penalties. Cooperation is essential to overcome them, even if your secret objective is individual.

Balance the use of your survivors. Take care of their specific skills and characteristics to maximize their efficiency in tasks within the colony or in the field.

Main objective

In the game "Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads", the main objective is to survive an apocalyptic winter in a world devastated by zombies, where players take on the role of leaders of a colony of survivors. They must work together to fulfill common goals that ensure the safety and survival of the community, while dealing with difficulties such as resource shortages, crises and the constant threat of zombies. Each player also has a secret objective that may conflict with the well-being of the colony, introducing elements of mistrust and possible betrayal, making cooperation and decision-making even more complex.

Tips for playing Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads:

• Prioritize the survival of the colony, always ensuring that there is enough food and fuel to heat the place.
• Divide the responsibilities among the players, ensuring that each character receives tasks compatible with their unique abilities.
• Pay attention to the Crossroads cards; they can change the course of the game drastically.
• Always explore external locations in search of essential materials, but avoid exposing yourself to danger unnecessarily.
• Be aware of the traitors' victory conditions by communicating openly with the other players.
• Manage your survival cards well and use them strategically at critical moments.
• Reduce the risk of losses by carefully controlling the crisis factors in each round.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads

• Hand Management: Each player has a hand of cards that include items, weapons and tools essential for survival. Strategic decisions need to be made about which cards to use, keep or share, directly influencing the group's success in the collective mission to survive the brutal winter.
• Cooperative: Players need to work together to overcome challenges and complete common objectives. However, there are elements of betrayal that can undermine cooperation. Communication and collaboration are vital, but the possibility of a traitor in the group maintains tension and distrust.
• Players with Different Skills: Each character controlled by the players has unique abilities. Some skills can be more effective in combat, others in finding supplies, and still others can improve the morale of the colony. The choice and intelligent use of characters are crucial to the group's success.
• Action Points: Each turn, players have a limited number of actions that they can spend on activities such as moving, fighting zombies, searching for items or building barricades. Efficient management of action points is essential to ensure the survival of the colony.
• Votação: At certain times, collective decisions are necessary and can be resolved by vote. This includes expelling a player suspected of treason or deciding the course of a critical mission. The voting process can create alliances or conflicts between players.
• Area Movement: The board is divided into distinct areas, each with its own risk and reward. Players move their characters between these areas to search for resources, protect the colony or complete objectives. Strategic movement is crucial to balancing the risks and keeping the team safe.
• Storytelling: The Crossroads Cards introduce unexpected events that force players to make narrative decisions that affect the course of the game. These cards help create a rich and immersive narrative, personalizing each game session.
• Rolling dice: Many aspects of the game, such as combat or the search for resources, depend on rolling dice. The results can be modified or influenced by characters' abilities or specific cards, and managing these risks is a key part of the game's strategy.
• Bets and bluffs: With the presence of secret objectives and the potential existence of a traitor, players can try to deceive their colleagues about their true intentions. Bluffing can be used to divert suspicion or manipulate the group's decisions in your favor.

Game components Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads

See all the items in the game below Dead of Winter: A Game of Crossroads:

• 1 Rulebook
• 2 Marking Rings
• 30 Action Dice
• 30 Zombie Pawns
• 60 Plastic pedestrian supports
• 20 Food Chips
• 10 Main Objective Cards (front and back)
• 20 Noise Chips
• 25 Starter Item Cards
• 20 Cards from the Market Items Deck
• 30 Survivors' Pawns
• 20 Zombie tokens
• 24 Secret Objective Cards
• 25 Wound Markers
• 10 Goal Cards with Betrayal
• 6 Locality Cards
• 20 cards from the Library Items Deck
• 20 Barricade Chips
• 1 First Player Sheet
• 80 Letters from the Crossroads
• 5 Reference Cards
• 10 Exile Secret Objective Cards
• 20 cards from the School Items Deck
• 6 Hunger Tokens
• 20 cards from the Hospital Items Deck
• 25 Crisis Letters
• 1 Exposure data
• 1 Tabuleiro da Colônia
• 20 cards from the Police Station Item Deck

Additional Information

• Ludopedia link: https://ludopedia.com.br/jogo/dead-of-winter-a-crossroads-game
• Link Tabletopia:
• Amazon Brazil link: Comprar Dead of Winter: Um Jogo de Encruzilhadas
• Amazon USA link: Comprar Dead of Winter: Um Jogo de Encruzilhadas