Pandemic Epidemic Rules: Increase, Infect & Intensify Explained
When you draw an Epidemic card from the Player Deck, resolve three steps in order: Increase, Infect, Intensify.
1. Increase
Move the Infection Rate marker one space to the right on the Infection Rate track. The number below the marker determines how many Infection cards will be drawn during later Infection phases.
2. Infect
Draw the bottom card of the Infection Deck. Place three disease cubes of that city’s color on the city.
If there are not enough cubes available, or the placement creates an outbreak, resolve the normal loss/outbreak rules.
3. Intensify
Take the cards in the Infection discard pile, shuffle only those discarded cards, and place them face down on top of the remaining Infection Deck.
Why Intensify matters
Cities infected recently now sit near the top of the Infection Deck, making them more likely to appear again soon. This is the central pressure cycle in Pandemic.
Do you draw a replacement Player card for an Epidemic?
No. An Epidemic card is one of the two Player cards you draw at the end of your turn. Resolve it immediately and then continue as instructed.
Can two Epidemics be drawn in one turn?
Yes, depending on deck construction and shuffling. If you draw two, resolve them one at a time in the order drawn.
Does an Epidemic itself count as an Infection card?
No. Epidemics are in the Player Deck. Infection cards belong to the separate Infection Deck.
Related Pandemic guides
Official source
Rules checked September 2026.