Humans vs. Zombies (4-player Semi-Coop)

Designed for an “Easy-Build Contest” on BoardGameGeek, this is a 4-player semi-cooperative game that pits three survivors against a growing zombie horde.

Game Overview

  • The Setup: 3 Humans vs. 1 Starting Zombie.
  • Components: Two standard decks of playing cards and several d10 dice.
  • Victory Conditions: Humans win if they can deplete the deck (survive the night); Zombies win if all humans are eliminated.

Core Mechanics

The game flows through a series of tactical phases each round:

  1. Attack: Zombies place cards face-down to designate their targets.
  2. Defend: Humans place cards face-down to protect themselves.
  3. Damage: Cards are revealed. Successes are determined by comparing card totals and rolling d10s. Hits can destroy a human’s armor or force them to discard.
  4. Flee: Humans resupply and attempt to repair their defenses.

The Turning Point

One of the most thematic elements is the infection. If a human has an empty hand and is forced to give up a card to a zombie, they don’t just lose—they join the zombie team, shifting the balance of power instantly.

Original BGG Thread