Zombicide: Undead or Alive

Zombicide: Undead or Alive is an immersive cooperative game for 1 to 6 players, set in a Wild West setting filled with zombies. Each player controls a Survivor who, in search of adventure and riches, finds himself in the midst of hordes of the undead. The game is structured around several interconnected scenarios, where players need to work as a team to find weapons and essential items that will help in the fight for survival. The zombies are managed by the game system, which creates dynamic challenges each round. While exploring the environment, players will face strategic decisions while dealing with the growing threat of the undead. With a variety of characters and equipment available, each match promises to be unique, providing an exciting and adrenaline-filled experience in a hostile and unforgiving world.

Age 14 + 60 min 1 to 6 players

Artists: Édouard Guiton; Collateral Damage Studios

Designers: Raphaël Guiton; Jean-Baptiste Lullien

Date: 2022

Note: 7.9

Mechanics: Scenario / Mission / Campaign, Cooperative, Players with Different Skills, Multiple Maps, Action Points, Data Scrolling, Solo, Modular tray

Topics: Wild West, Horror/Terror, Fighting / Martial Arts

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

How to play Zombicide: Undead or Alive

Each player chooses a survivor, each with unique abilities, to fight against hordes of zombies. Each survivor has an identity board, which records their experience level, inventory and special abilities.

Arrange the game board with the map pieces, equipment cards and zombie deck according to the chosen scenario. Follow the scenario instructions to determine the initial setup and objectives.

The game is divided into turns with two main phases: the survivor phase and the zombie phase. In the survivor phase, players can move, attack and perform actions such as searching for equipment or exchanging items. Each survivor has a limited number of actions per turn.

During the zombie phase, they move and attack automatically. You then buy zombie cards to determine how many and which zombies appear on the board, based on the current threat level.

The threat level increases as survivors kill zombies or complete objectives. The game's difficulty increases as the threat level rises, bringing stronger zombies in greater numbers.

To win, players must complete the objectives of the scenario, which can include things like finding specific equipment, reaching certain areas on the map or eliminating particular threats. If any survivor dies, the mission fails.

Main objective

The main objective of the game "Zombicide: Undead or Alive" is for players, taking on the roles of survivors in the zombie-infested Wild West, to cooperate to complete specific missions, facing growing hordes of the undead. They need to use their unique skills and combat strategies to fulfill mission objectives and survive the chaos, while searching for weapons, resources and eliminating zombies to evolve their capabilities and increase their chances of success in the game's challenging environment.

Tips for playing Zombicide: Undead or Alive

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Zombicide: Undead or Alive:

  • Use your survivors to form a good balance between melee and ranged combat. This ensures flexibility when facing zombies of different types and in a variety of situations.
  • Explore the map frequently to find essential weapons and equipment that can turn the game in your favor.
  • Always prioritize eliminating Abomination-type zombies as soon as possible, as they are more difficult to defeat and can cause significant damage to your group.
  • Use experience points wisely to improve skills that complement your character's strengths or to cover critical weaknesses.
  • Consider using barricades and doors strategically to redirect the flow of zombies and protect survivors at critical moments.
  • Communicate and coordinate well with the other players to maximize the effectiveness of your actions and ensure the survival of the group as a whole.
  • Always keep an eye on the number of zombies on the board and in the enjambre decks to plan your future moves without being caught by surprise.
  • In more advanced scenarios, develop strategies that take into account not only the elimination of zombies, but also the optimization of time and resources to meet objectives quickly.
  • Never underestimate the value of strategic movement; sometimes it's better to run than fight, especially when zombie reinforcements are on their way.
  • Use the topography of the map to your advantage, such as buildings or alleys that can serve as a natural defense against the zombie horde.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Zombicide: Undead or Alive

  • Cooperative: In Zombicide: Undead or Alive, players work together against the board, which represents hordes of zombies. Cooperation is essential in order to complete objectives, survive attacks and advance in missions. To win, players must coordinate their actions strategically and share resources and information during the game.
  • Rolling dice: This mechanic determines the success or failure of players' actions, such as attacking zombies or performing special actions. The number of dice rolled and the results required vary depending on the character, the weapons used and the situations faced. The randomness introduced by the dice creates tension and requires adapting strategies throughout the game.
  • Modular tray: The game uses board pieces that can be rearranged to create different maps and scenarios. This offers variation and replayability, allowing you to create customized layouts or use the maps proposed in the missions. Setting up the board directly influences the tactics used by players, as it determines movement and the appearance of zombies.
  • Scenario / Mission / Campaign: Zombicide: Undead or Alive features a series of interconnected missions, which can be played on their own or as part of a campaign. Each mission has specific objectives, such as rescuing survivors or collecting supplies. Success in one mission can affect the next, introducing consequences and continuity to the game's narrative.
  • Multiple Maps: In addition to the modular board, the game offers several predefined maps that challenge players in unique ways. Each map presents different tactical challenges, such as high-risk areas or strategic points to be controlled. Players must adapt their strategies based on the map in question to maximize their chances of success.
  • Action Points: Each player has a limited number of actions they can take during their turn, such as moving, attacking or searching for items. Efficient management of action points is crucial, as wrong decisions can leave players vulnerable to zombie attacks. Optimizing these actions is essential to completing the game's objectives.
  • Players with Different Skills: Each character in the game has unique abilities that influence their style of play and their contributions to the team. These abilities can include better combat skills, healing ability, or faster movement. The choice and combination of characters must be strategic to cover all the team's needs.
  • Solo: Zombicide: Undead or Alive can be played by a single player controlling multiple characters. In this mode, the player applies the same rules as in the cooperative mode, trying to complete the missions alone while dealing with the strategic management of all the characters and their respective abilities.

Game components Zombicide: Undead or Alive

See all the items in the game below Zombicide: Undead or Alive:

  • 14 Survivors
  • 6 Survivor panels
  • 1 Rule Book (Click here to download the pdf)
  • 37 Zombie Cards
  • 1 Abomination
  • 40 Lerdos - 16 Brutos
  • 16 Corridors
  • 120 Mini cards
  • 82 Equipment Cards
  • 1 Abomination Letter
  • 6 Colorful Bases for Survivors
  • 88 Miniatures
  • 12 Double-Sided Map Pieces
  • 29 sheets
  • 6 Data
  • 48 pins

Additional Information

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