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Iberia

Pandemic: Iberia is a cooperative board game set in the mid-19th century on the Iberian Peninsula. Players work together to contain and cure diseases while also building railways and purifying water sources.

7.89 / 10
BGG Rating
8+
age
2016
published year
2 - 5
player count
1 - 5
Recommended player count
45 mins
play time

How Complex is Iberia?

2.59 / 5

Pandemic: Iberia has moderate complexity, with a rulebook that is easy to understand but requires strategic decision-making and coordination among players to succeed.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Iberia?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in the game, as players rely on card draws and dice rolls to determine disease spread and cure progress, but strategic decision-making is also crucial.

How much Player Interaction does Iberia offer?

4.5 / 5

Pandemic: Iberia is a highly cooperative game, requiring constant communication and coordination among players to contain and cure diseases, build railways, and purify water sources.

How much Replayability does Iberia offer?

4 / 5

Pandemic: Iberia offers high replayability due to the random setup of the board and the various roles and strategies available to players, making each playthrough unique and challenging.

Why you should play Iberia

Historical Theme

Pandemic: Iberia is set in the Iberian Peninsula in the mid-19th century, which adds a unique historical flavor to the game.

Cooperative Gameplay

Pandemic: Iberia is a cooperative game, which means that players work together to beat the game rather than competing against each other. This makes it a great game for team building and fostering cooperation.

Challenging Gameplay

Pandemic: Iberia is a challenging game that requires strategic thinking and careful planning. Players must work together to prevent the spread of diseases while also managing limited resources.

Unique Roles

Pandemic: Iberia features unique roles for each player, each with their own special abilities. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game and allows players to tailor their gameplay to their strengths.

Educational Value

Pandemic: Iberia is not only a fun game, but it also has educational value. Players can learn about the history of the Iberian Peninsula and the challenges of disease control in the 19th century.

Replayability

Pandemic: Iberia has high replayability due to the random nature of the game setup and the different roles available to players. Each game will be different, providing a fresh challenge every time.

Expansion Potential

Pandemic: Iberia is part of the larger Pandemic game series, which means that it can be combined with other Pandemic games for even more gameplay options.

Why you should avoid Iberia

Complexity

Pandemic: Iberia can be a complex game for new players to learn. The game mechanics and rules may take some time to understand, which can be frustrating for some players.

Limited Player Count

Pandemic: Iberia is designed for 2-5 players, which may not be suitable for larger groups. This can limit the game's appeal for those who prefer games with higher player counts.

Theme

While the historical theme of Pandemic: Iberia can be a draw for some players, it may not be appealing to others. Players who are not interested in the history of the Iberian Peninsula may find the theme uninteresting.

Repetitive Gameplay

While Pandemic: Iberia has high replayability, some players may find the gameplay repetitive after multiple plays. The game mechanics and objectives remain the same, which may not appeal to those who prefer more varied gameplay.

Luck-Based

Pandemic: Iberia can be a luck-based game, as the spread of diseases is determined by card draws. This can be frustrating for players who prefer games with more control over their outcomes.

Where to find the Rules of Iberia

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Iberia files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Iberia

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Iberia.

Prioritize building railways

Building railways is crucial in this game as it allows you to move around the board more quickly and efficiently. Try to build railways between cities that have a high risk of outbreaks or that are difficult to access.

Focus on preventing outbreaks

Outbreaks can quickly spiral out of control and lead to a loss. Make sure to keep a close eye on cities that have a high risk of outbreaks and try to prevent them from happening by treating diseases or quarantining cities.

Use your special abilities wisely

Each character in the game has a unique ability that can be very helpful in certain situations. Make sure to use your abilities strategically to maximize their effectiveness.

Coordinate with your team

Pandemic is a cooperative game, so communication and coordination with your team are key. Make sure to discuss your plans and strategies with your teammates and work together to achieve your goals.

Don't forget about the supply cubes

Supply cubes are a limited resource in the game, so make sure to use them wisely. They can be used to build railways, treat diseases, or even prevent outbreaks, so prioritize their use based on the current situation.

Overall, Pandemic

Iberia is a challenging game that requires careful planning and coordination. By prioritizing railways, preventing outbreaks, using special abilities wisely, coordinating with your team, and managing your supply cubes effectively, you can increase your chances of success. Good luck!

Advanced Strategies for Iberia

Prioritize building hospitals

Hospitals are a powerful tool in this game as they allow you to cure diseases more quickly and efficiently. Try to build hospitals in cities that have a high risk of outbreaks or that are difficult to access.

Use the historical diseases to your advantage

Each disease in the game has a unique historical context and can affect gameplay in different ways. Try to use your knowledge of the diseases to your advantage by prioritizing the treatment of certain diseases or avoiding cities that are at high risk of outbreaks.

Plan ahead for the endgame

The game can end very quickly if too many outbreaks occur or if the player deck runs out. Make sure to plan ahead for the endgame by prioritizing the completion of objectives and preparing for any potential crises.

Experiment with different character combinations

There are many different character combinations in the game, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Try experimenting with different combinations to find the ones that work best for your playstyle.

Don't be afraid to take risks

Pandemic is a game that requires careful planning and strategy, but sometimes taking risks can pay off. Don't be afraid to try new things and take calculated risks to achieve your goals.

Overall, Pandemic

Iberia is a complex game that requires a deep understanding of the mechanics and strategies involved. By prioritizing hospitals, using historical diseases to your advantage, planning ahead for the endgame, experimenting with different character combinations, and taking calculated risks, you can increase your chances of success. Good luck!

Mechanics

Action Points
Set Collection
Trading
Variable Player Powers
Cooperative Game
Hand Management
Point to Point Movement
Network and Route Building
Solo / Solitaire Game

Categories

Trains
Medical
Post-Napoleonic