Which Pandemic expansion after the base game?

2-4 players (base) Co-op / diseases About 45 min

The game

Already own Pandemic? The three expansions form a chain, and then the line explodes into Legacy campaigns and standalone games set in places and eras. Start with the chain.

2-4 players with the base game. On the Brink adds a 5th player. In the Lab was built on top of On the Brink.

In the Lab wants On the Brink first. The lab, solo and team modes lean on pieces and challenges from On the Brink. Buy Brink first even if the Lab is the one you want.

Legacy is a campaign, not an expansion. Pandemic Legacy Season 1, 2 and 0 are standalone campaign games you mark up and tear. Season 1 is the place to start, and none needs the base game.

The place games are standalones. Iberia, Rising Tide, Rapid Response, Contagion and the Hot Zone games are complete games. They do not expand the world-map base game.

Which boxes do you already own?

Put on the table what you already have, and how many of you play.

You usually play with

2-4

Release timeline

Base 2008 (current edition 2013), On the Brink 2009, In the Lab 2013, State of Emergency 2015, Legacy Season 1 2015, Iberia 2016, Legacy Season 2 and Rising Tide 2017, Rapid Response 2019, Legacy Season 0 and Hot Zone North America 2020, Hot Zone Europe 2021. Contagion is from 2014.

The graph

How the Pandemic boxes connect, plus the mechanics. An arrow starts at the expansion and points to the box it needs.

needs another box
contains this box
part of the line
game mechanic

Depending on what you want

You want	Get
A 5th player and more roles	On the Brink
Cure diseases in a lab sequence	In the Lab
Emergencies and a supervirus	State of Emergency
A 12-game story campaign	Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

Tick your boxes at the top and the answer follows.

At the table

Box	What it brings
Pandemic	2-4 players. Four diseases, four cures.
On the Brink	5th player, roles, Virulent Strain, Mutation, Bio-Terrorist.
In the Lab	Sequence cures in the lab, solo and team modes.
State of Emergency	Hinterlands animals, emergencies, a supervirus and quarantines.
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1	Standalone 12-month campaign. Start the Legacy story here.
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2	Standalone. The sequel campaign, after Season 1.
Pandemic Legacy: Season 0	Standalone Cold War prequel campaign.
Pandemic: Iberia	Standalone: 1848 Iberia, rails and water purification.
Pandemic: Rising Tide	Standalone: hold back the North Sea in the Netherlands.
Pandemic: Contagion	Standalone and competitive: you play the diseases.
Pandemic: Rapid Response	Standalone real-time dice game on a relief plane.
Pandemic: Hot Zone - North America	Standalone express version, about 30 minutes.
Pandemic: Hot Zone - Europe	Standalone express version in Europe.

Compatibility

Box	Needs	Players
Pandemic	standalone base	2-4
On the Brink	needs base	2-5
In the Lab	needs base + On the Brink	1-6
State of Emergency	needs base	2-4
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1	plays on its own	2-4
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2	plays on its own	2-4
Pandemic Legacy: Season 0	plays on its own	2-4
Pandemic: Iberia	plays on its own	2-5
Pandemic: Rising Tide	plays on its own	2-5
Pandemic: Contagion	plays on its own	2-5
Pandemic: Rapid Response	plays on its own	2-4
Pandemic: Hot Zone - North America	plays on its own	2-4
Pandemic: Hot Zone - Europe	plays on its own	2-4

The 10th anniversary edition is a deluxe printing of the base game, and promo roles are outside the picker.

FAQ

Which Pandemic expansion first?

On the Brink: a 5th player, new roles and three challenges including the popular Virulent Strain.

Does In the Lab need On the Brink?

For its full content, yes. Buy On the Brink first; State of Emergency stands alone after the base game.

Where do I start Pandemic Legacy?

Season 1. Season 2 continues that story and Season 0 is a Cold War prequel; none needs the base game.

How many players with expansions?

On the Brink lifts the base game to 5. In the Lab adds solo and team play.

Who publishes Pandemic in English?

Z-Man Games. Designer: Matt Leacock.