How to Play Zombicide: Invader – Black Ops

Game Objective

The main objective of Zombicide: Invader – Black Ops is to complete the missions defined in the rulebook, following the specific order of objectives in each scenario. Victory is achieved by fulfilling all objectives in sequence, while defeat occurs if the players fail to meet any objective or if the Xenos eliminate all survivors. Each mission has unique rules and conditions, detailed in the rulebook.

Setup

To set up the game, follow these steps:

• Required Components: Game board with tiles (including Pod Zones, Security Rooms, and special zones), 6 survivors, 2 machines (XN35 "Crawley" Bot and Meteor Sentry Gun), 27 equipment cards, 6 survivor dashboards, 6 colored bases, 26 tokens, and 33 mini-cards.
• Initial Configuration: Each survivor receives an oxygen tank and starting equipment (SMG Blackbird and Shock Absorber). Specific missions define the placement of tiles, objectives, and starting positions. Consult the rulebook for details on each mission.
• Cards and Tokens: Equipment cards and objective tokens are distributed according to the mission rules. Pod Zones and Security Rooms are configured as per mission instructions.

Game Flow

The game progresses in rounds divided into phases:

1. Survivor Phase: Each survivor, in clockwise order, performs up to 3 actions (move, search, activate door, combat, etc.). Actions are limited by game rules and equipment availability.
2. Xenos Phase: Xenos attack or move, prioritizing visible survivors or those with noise tokens. Hunters have 2 actions per activation. Spawn Zones generate new Xenos according to the danger level rules.
3. End Phase: Noise tokens are removed, and the next player receives the first player token. The round ends when all players have completed their actions.

Specific rules, such as target priority and Spawn Zone activation, are detailed in the rulebook. Consult the rulebook for details on this section.

Actions and How to Play

Players can perform the following actions during their activation:

• Move: Move 1 zone. If Xenos are present, extra actions are required to move through occupied zones.
• Search: Available in room zones without Xenos. Soldiers can only search in Security Rooms. Generates an equipment card.
• Activate Door: Open or close a door in an occupied zone. Not possible in Mold zones or with destroyed doors.
• Combat: Melee or ranged action, requiring an equipped weapon. Target priority is: Tanks/Abominations (1-2/3 damage), Workers (1 damage), Hunters (2 damage).
• Activate Objective: Pick up an objective token in the occupied zone, granting 5 XP and, in some cases, prototype weapons.
• Generate Noise: Place a noise token in the zone, attracting Xenos.

Target Priority: Targets are eliminated in order: Tanks/Abominations, Workers, Hunters. If there is a tie, players decide the order.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends when:

• All mission objectives are completed (victory).
• All survivors are eliminated by the Xenos (defeat).

Scoring is calculated based on completed objectives (5 XP per objective) and obtained prototype weapons. Each mission has specific victory/defeat criteria, detailed in the rulebook. Consult the rulebook for details on this section.

Tips for Winning

1. Use the Meteor Sentry Gun: Take advantage of its special firing mode to eliminate multiple targets in a straight line without needing line of sight.
2. Prioritize Objectives: Completing objectives in order is crucial, especially in missions with active Spawn Zones.
3. Manage Noise: Avoid generating noise tokens unnecessarily, as they attract Xenos.