# Zombicide: Invader

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: #1058
- **Players**: 1-6
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 2.35 / 5
- **Designers**: Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Nicolas Raoult, Raphaël Guiton
- **Artists**: Adrian Smith, Henning Ludvigsen
- **Publishers**: CMON Global Limited, Guillotine Games, BoardM Factory, Edge Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Portal Games
- **Categories**: Fighting, Miniatures, Science Fiction, Zombies
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Modular Board, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you're into cooperative games packed with miniatures and tactical horde combat, Zombicide: Invader is your ticket to space-faring fun!Stunning, detailed miniaturesIntense cooperative combatVery high replayabilityEngaging sci-fi themeDiverse character abilitiesCan be a bit longRelies on dice luckLengthy setup timeHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
In Zombicide: Invader, humanity ventures into space in search of a powerful fuel, Xenium, found on the planet PK-L7. However, this discovery comes with an unexpected threat: the Xenos, alien creatures that launch brutal and relentless attacks. In this cooperative game for 1 to 6 players, you and your friends take on the role of survivors – civilians or soldiers, each with unique skills – in a sci-fi setting overwhelmed by this horde. The goal is simple yet challenging: complete the objectives of the chosen mission, eliminate as many Xenos as possible, and, most importantly, survive! Survivors will work as a team, trading equipment and covering each other, using any available weapon to contain the invasion. The more powerful the weapon, the higher the Xeno body count, but also the greater the attraction of new creatures, intensifying the confrontation. Location is crucial, as conventional weapons work well indoors, but on the planet's oxygen-starved surface, specialized weaponry like lasers are indispensable. The Xenos, though generally predictable, are numerous and employ tactics not seen in previous Zombicide games. Cooperation among players is the key to overcoming challenges and achieving victory in missions.

## How to Play
Game Objective
In Zombicide: Invader, players take on the roles of Survivors in a science-fiction setting overrun by the Xenos, an alien swarm controlled by the game itself. The primary goal is to choose a Mission and successfully complete its objectives. Players must also survive the onslaught of the Xenos and eliminate as many as possible. While the Xenos can be predictable, their sheer numbers and tactics, like the Spoiler Abomination spreading Mold, create constant danger. Survivors must cooperate, share Equipment, and cover each other to achieve the Mission objectives and win.

Setup
Follow these steps to prepare for your game of Zombicide: Invader:

    Choose a Mission.
    Place the game tiles as indicated by the Mission.
    Place the Objectives, Spawn Zones, and any other specified tokens and figures according to the Mission.
    Select 6 Survivors and distribute them among the players. Since it's a cooperative game, all players form a single team.
    Each player takes a Survivor Dashboard for each of their Survivors and places the corresponding Survivor ID Card on it. Attach a colored plastic base to the Survivor's miniature for identification and take 5 plastic trackers of the same color.
    Set aside the following Equipment cards:
        
            Starting Equipment (identified by a grey back): 4 Cattle Prods and 2 SMGs. These are for initial defense and should be replaced with better weapons as soon as possible.
            Oxygen Tank (identified by an Oxygen Supply Room back): 6 cards. These are needed to travel outside the station and are found in Oxygen Supply Rooms.
            Prototype weapons (identified by a red back): Prototype Assault Shotgun, Prototype Heavy Shotgun, Prototype Light Machine Gun, and Prototype Sniper Rifle. These are often Mission objectives.
        
    
    Place the Peacekeeper Bot and Falchion Sentry Gun reference cards where all players can see them. These cards detail the Machines' rules and stats.
    Distribute the Starting Equipment cards among the Survivors as the team decides. Each Survivor starts with at least one card. If a Survivor's starting Skill lists specific starting Equipment, they receive those cards in addition to the distributed ones.
    Shuffle the Xeno cards into one deck and the Equipment cards into another. Place both decks face down near the board.
    Place the chosen Survivor miniatures in the starting Zone(s) indicated by the Mission.
    Place a tracker on the highest highlighted slot of each Survivor's Armor Bar, as indicated on their ID Card.
    Place another tracker on the first (Blue) Skill slot. Place 3 more trackers in the reserve slots at the top of the Dashboard. Set the Experience tracker to 0.
    Determine the first player and give them the First Player token.

Survivor Types: There are two types of Survivors: Civilians and Soldiers. Civilians can Search in any room Zone and typically have lower Armor (usually 2). Soldiers can only Search in Security Rooms but tend to have higher Armor values (usually 3).

Game Flow
Zombicide: Invader is played over a series of Game Rounds, each consisting of three phases:

Players' Phase
The player with the First Player token begins their turn. They activate their Survivors one at a time, in any order they choose. Each Survivor can initially perform 3 Actions per turn, though Skills may grant additional Actions. These Actions can be used to fight Xenos, move, and complete Mission Objectives. Some Actions generate Noise, which attracts Xenos. Once a player has activated all their Survivors, the turn passes to the player on their left. The Players' Phase ends when all players have completed their turns.

Xenos' Phase
All Xenos on the board activate. Each Xeno spends 1 Action to either attack a Survivor in their Zone or, if no Survivors are present, to move towards Survivors or noisy Zones. Hunters have 2 Actions and can perform two attacks, two moves, or one of each. After all Xenos have acted, new Xenos spawn in all active Spawn Zones.

End Phase
All Noise tokens are removed from the board. The First Player token is passed to the player on the left, and a new Game Round begins.

Actions and How to Play
During the Players' Phase, Survivors can perform various Actions. Each Survivor has a limited number of Actions per turn, which can increase with Experience and Skills.

Available Actions:

    Move: A Survivor moves from one Zone to another. Moving out of a Zone with Xenos costs additional Actions (1 per Xeno). Entering a Zone with Xenos ends the Move Action.
    Search: A Survivor can only perform this in room Zones with no Xenos present. Drawing an Equipment card. The player can keep it or discard it. Soldiers can only Search in Security Rooms.
    Door Activation: This is a free Action that can be performed once per turn. It allows a Survivor to place or remove a closed Door token. This cannot be done on doors leading to Mold Zones or if the door is destroyed.
    Reorganize/Trade: A Survivor can rearrange cards in their inventory or trade cards with another Survivor in the same Zone.
    Attach or Detach Equipment Cards: Energy Cell and Plenty of Bullets cards can be attached to weapons for re-rolls. This can be done during inventory reorganization.
    Combat Actions:
        
            Melee Action: Use a Melee weapon in the same Zone.
            Ranged Action: Use a Ranged weapon to attack a target Zone within range and Line of Sight.
        
    
    Take or Activate an Objective: Interact with Objective tokens as described in the Mission.
    Make Noise: Place a Noise token in the Survivor's Zone to attract Xenos.
    Do Nothing: End the turn prematurely, losing any remaining Actions.


Machine Actions:
Survivors can control Machines like the Peacekeeper Bot and Falchion Sentry Gun by using a Remote token or a specific Skill. This costs 1 Action and allows the Machine to perform its own Actions, such as moving or attacking. The controlling Survivor gains any Experience Points earned by the Machine.

Xenos Actions:
During the Xenos' Phase, each Xeno performs either an Attack or a Move. Attacks are always successful and inflict damage based on the Xeno type. If no Survivors are in their Zone, Xenos move towards the Survivors or the noisiest Zone. Hunters have two Actions and can perform a second attack or move.

Spawning Xenos:
After the Xenos' Phase, new Xenos spawn in Spawn Zones. A Xeno card is drawn, and the number and type of Xenos that appear are determined by the Danger Level of the most experienced Survivor.

End of Game and Scoring
The game ends in one of the following ways:

    Loss Conditions:
        
            A starting Survivor is eliminated (their Armor drops to 0).
            The Mission Objectives can no longer be fulfilled.
            Two or more Spawn Zones are linked by an uninterrupted chain of Active Mold Zones.
        
    
    Victory Condition: The game is won immediately when all Mission Objectives have been accomplished.

All players win or lose together as a team.

Tips for Winning

    Manage Noise: Be mindful of using noisy weapons, as Noise tokens attract more Xenos to your location.
    Cooperate and Trade: Share Equipment and coordinate your actions with other Survivors. Trading items can be crucial for survival and objective completion.
    Prioritize Objectives: While eliminating Xenos is important for gaining Experience, always keep the primary Mission Objectives in focus.

## FAQ
### How many players can participate in Zombicide: Invader?
The game is designed for 1 to 6 players, perfect for solo play or with a group of friends, facing the Xeno threat together.

### What is the average playtime for a game session?
A game of Zombicide: Invader typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the chosen mission and the number of players.

### Is Zombicide: Invader too complex for beginners?
It has a BGG weight of 2.35/5, placing it in the medium complexity category. The rules are accessible, but strategy and cooperative planning might take a few plays to master.

### What comes in the game box?
Expect many detailed miniatures of survivors and Xenos, modular board tiles, equipment cards, dice, tokens, and rulebooks with missions. It's a treat for those who appreciate high-quality components!

### Is there any language dependency for playing?
Yes, the game has a moderate language dependency. It's recommended to have a translated sheet or cards to fully understand character abilities and item effects.

### Can I play Zombicide: Invader solo?
Absolutely! The game includes rules for solo mode, where you control multiple survivors to complete mission objectives, providing a challenging and immersive experience even without company.

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