- BGG rating
- 7.3
Pathogenesis: STD Expansion
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,099
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Pathogenesis
2017
Rules assistance for Pathogenesis
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.9/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Pathogenesis
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pathogenesis is a board game released in 2017 for 1–4 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Loren Cunningham and Jamie Cunningham and its main mechanics are Cooperative Game, Open Drafting, and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building.
Expansions
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About the game
Pathogenesis is a deck building game in which players take the role of bacterial pathogens attacking the human body. The game was developed in partnership with scientific illustrator somersault1824. The game is based on 100% real science and the mechanics were created to mimic how real biology works. Avid deck builder players will feel at home playing the game as the mechanic foundation was based on several popular deck builders. The mechanics have evolved and mutated during the creation into a game that is quite its own. The game offers several modes of play including solo play, cooperative, competitive, and team play. No knowledge of science is required to play but it was developed to enhance the learning of the immune system at the college level.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- WIBAI Games
Questions and answers
Pathogenesis supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Pathogenesis is 30–60 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 Pathogenesis for ages 14 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.
Pathogenesis has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Pathogenesis belongs to these categories: Card Game, Educational, and Medical. Its main mechanics are Cooperative Game, Open Drafting, and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building. 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 Pathogenesis are: Loren Cunningham and Jamie Cunningham. 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 Pathogenesis 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.