Pandemic Expansions Guide: On the Brink, In the Lab & State of Emergency
Pandemic has three main boxed expansions for the classic base game: On the Brink, In the Lab and State of Emergency. They are modular and focus on different kinds of difficulty.
Pandemic expansion comparison
| Expansion | Main additions | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| On the Brink | Virulent Strain, Mutation, Bio-Terrorist, extra roles/events | Pandemic |
| In the Lab | Lab board and new cure-discovery process | Pandemic + On the Brink |
| State of Emergency | Hinterlands, Superbug, Emergency Events, quarantines | Pandemic |
On the Brink
On the Brink is the broadest first expansion. Its three headline challenges alter the disease system in different ways and can be used separately or combined.
In the Lab
In the Lab changes how cures are developed. Players collect samples, sequence diseases and process cures through a dedicated Lab board.
Important: Z-Man lists both Pandemic and On the Brink as required.
State of Emergency
State of Emergency adds three more challenge modules: Hinterlands, Superbug and Emergency Events, plus quarantine tools and new roles.
Read the State of Emergency guide →
Which Pandemic expansion should you get first?
On the Brink is the cleanest first purchase because it expands the base game broadly and is also required for In the Lab. Choose State of Emergency instead if you already want more severe scenario-style challenges without the laboratory cure system.
Related Pandemic guides
Publisher source
Expansion line checked September 2026.