Could someone post a general list of pros & cons for each set?

[Ave]

Hey guys. Already got Premier, and I'm having lots of fun with it, so I'm looking to buy one more expansion. Thing is, every set costs about USD $50 where I live, so I'm not exactly up for spending another USD $150 on all three. I'm trying to decide which would be the most fun set for me to get right now, so I'd totally appreciate it if you guys could help me out with my decision here. Thanks!

[necklessone]

Alliance
+ Comes with a second set of base resources (ammo/pistols/knives)
+ Contains 159 new cards, while the other two sets only include 150
+ Partner Mode increases the damage output
+ Mansion is more challenging than any other mansion
- One of the characters is useless outside of Partner mode
- Some of the special weapons (Signature Special, Triple Barrel Shotgun) are overpowered

Outbreak
+ Infection Mode puts early pressure on players, good if the game seems too slow while people perfect their decks
+ A step forward in the design of Infected with more interesting effects than previously
+ Tokens for keeping track of damage and max health (though I still use dice)
- Only 4 new weapons piles since 43 of the cards are tied up in supporting Infection Mode
- Two of the characters and one of the actions are less than impressive outside of Infection Mode
- Laser Trap is a beating that never feels earned

Nightmare
+ Box is large enough to hold existing sets and comes with dividers for Premiere, Alliance, and itself
+ No characters are tied to specific game modes
+ A number of very interesting effects on actions and infected
- No new mode to enhance gameplay
- Some of the cards are quite extreme (Hunter, Mind Control)

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I would probably buy Nightmare first, then either Alliance or Outbreak depending on which of the two new game modes seems the most interesting. I play a lot of Infection mode because I enjoy the extra pressure early and because the damage in partner mode can escalate quickly, making it too easy to big damage with extra explores. However, you get more bang for your buck in terms of weapon and action piles with Alliance.

[Dark Young]

I would probably buy Nightmare first, then either Alliance or Outbreak depending on which of the two new game modes seems the most interesting. I play a lot of Infection mode because I enjoy the extra pressure early and because the damage in partner mode can escalate quickly, making it too easy to big damage with extra explores. However, you get more bang for your buck in terms of weapon and action piles with Alliance.

I agree with necklessone's outline including that Nightmare is probably the best addition of the three to start with. One additional note: Please read the information in the News section of this site regarding cards Lonewolf and Raccoon City Police Department, just so you know what their icons are supposed to be. I've had no issues playing with them correctly yet.

In addition, you can still play partner mode without the Alliance set. You can read the rules on how to play partner mode in the How to Play section of the site under the Alliance rule book. You'll just be missing out on some partner mode related cards without the set but the mode is still functional.

Outbreak's Infection mode is great for all the reasons necklessone gave, but Nightmare will give you a better base set of cards to play with.

If I were starting new I'd buy in this order: Base, Nightmare, Outbreak, Alliance

[Ave]

Hey guys. Just to give this thread some closure - I ended up buying Outbreak and Nightmare since I managed to find a place selling them at USD$30 per set - so much better than that other con shop lol. Having tons of fun, plus I really love all the new Infected like Wasp, Verdugo, Lisa, Saddler, etc.

We're still not touching Infection mode yet because, a) I don't have enough sleeves to cover all the Infection cards, b) we usually play in a co-operative manner, meaning that we try to avoid directly influencing each other negatively. It kind of kills off some cards and strategies, but I'm all for making the session fun for everyone instead of having the odd, unlucky poor slob dying early and sitting by the side feeling emo.

Still gonna get Alliance somewhere down the road, but yeah I'm good for now. Many thanks for both of your great posts!

P.S. I read so much unhappiness about the misprinted cards, which I don't get: It's immediately very obvious what the card is supposed to read. None of us had to take more than one look to figure out they were missing a zero behind, and nobody had any problems with allowing it to be played the intended way. If anything, it's like an unintended easter egg that should be corrected in future reprints, making this one a "one of a kind", if you will.

[Dark Young]

P.S. I read so much unhappiness about the misprinted cards, which I don't get: It's immediately very obvious what the card is supposed to read. None of us had to take more than one look to figure out they were missing a zero behind, and nobody had any problems with allowing it to be played the intended way. If anything, it's like an unintended easter egg that should be corrected in future reprints, making this one a "one of a kind", if you will.

Just to let you know, Lonewolf is +20 Ammo not +10. Glad your enjoying the games!

[Ave]

Just to let you know, Lonewolf is +20 Ammo not +10. Glad your enjoying the games!

Yeah I went to read the News section after posting this, and corrected my reading of Lonewolf, lol. Fun game, still!

[Demicrusaius]

I still just use the ten ammo for Lonewolf because it's already too good. I have a tenancy to build huge decks anyway, despite early ambitious exploring.