
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition): The Director's Cut
- 1 player
- 45 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2014

2013
Rules assistance for Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition)
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) is a board game released in 2013 for 1 player, 45–90 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Hermann Luttmann and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement, and Solo / Solitaire Game.
THE BATTLE FOR FARMINGDALE States of SiegeTM #9 Arising once again from the grave, from designer Hermann Luttmann and lavishly illustrated by Vinh Ha, arises Dawn of the Zeds Second Edition as you've never seen it before. In this States of Siege™ solitaire game of horror and survival, your strategies will be put to the test. The world has gone crazy – a deadly virus has turned ordinary people into vicious, zombie-like killers. The undead, nicknamed "Zeds," are now converging on your corner of the world. You have been left to your own devices to stop them while the National Guard organizes a relief column and fights its way to you – but that could take days, or even weeks, before they arrive. At the town of Farmingdale and its surrounding villages, you must coordinate its defenses. Regular citizens may emerge as heroes as you work to halt the Zeds' advances by (re)killing them, discovering and implementing a cure to this vile scourge, and preserving the area and its inhabitants as much as possible. In addition to this madness, the crazy Doctor Marteuse has been working in the underground tunnels and unleashing his uber-deadly Super Zeds, a nasty bunch of beasts that give havoc a whole new name. Bring him to justice, destroy the infectious Zeds, and save your city from peril! In a game that requires the utmost test of skill and nerve, will you survive long enough? Will you be able to fight hordes of Zeds while protecting the townspeople? Test your heroics and unearth Dawn of the Zeds, a game that will keep you on your toes! What's New in 2nd Edition: - Contains a Tutorial Scenario for beginners, in addition to Classic and Walking Zeds Scenarios - Never before seen cards and counters, including the dreadful Super Zeds - Three different game lengths to choose from: Short, Standard, and Campaign Game - Four new Heroes: Wright, Kingman, Wilson, and Carter - An additional 5th track (the Tunnel Track) - All new and beautiful artwork - Bigger cards - A completely new, two-sided map (for each Scenario) - Several uniquely-shaped, colorful, laser-cut counters Game Data: Number of Players: 1 brave soul (with cooperative multi-player play included) Ages: 13 and up Playing Time: Approximately 45-90 minutes Complexity: 4 on a 9 scale (Intro), 6 on a 9 scale (Advanced) Solitaire Suitability: 9 on a 9 scale Scale: Each unit represents a single Hero plus their entourage, dozens of citizens, and hundreds of Zeds. What's In The Box?: • One 24-page Rules booklet (Extended Example of Play included) • 123 thick, two-sided, multi-shaped, laser-cut game pieces • 100 cards • One 11” x 17” two-sided color game map • One two-sided 8.5"x11" Player Aid • One two-sided 8.5"x11" Player Mat • One 4-page Quick Play booklet • One Quick Play Set Up sheet • Two six-sided 12mm dice • One 11” x 17” mounted, two-sided, jigsaw-cut game map • One bright red, 9" x 11 7/8" Deluxe cardboard VPG game box • One beautiful box cover sleeve • One "Wipes-A-Lot" napkin • One charcoal dessicant packet Polybag version has the paper board, not the mounted board. Newer prints will also include the updated, Tim Allen map spanning 2 11"x17" paper boards.
Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) supports 1 player according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) is 45–90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) for ages 13 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) has a complexity rating of 3.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) belongs to these categories: Horror and Zombies. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement, and Solo / Solitaire Game. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) are: Hermann Luttmann. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Dawn of the Zeds (Second Edition) as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.