Project County Roads Z (16/3/25 Fog Zombie marker!!!)

[Legionnaire]

For some time, I've been considering doing some zombie apocalypse gaming. First my eyes fell upon Osprey's Last Days, but I also wanted something for my solo gaming needs. I stumbled across County Roads Z which seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Having read the rules, I am very much in line with that thought, but also, as it says in the rules: "if there's something you don't like, change it! It's your game!" so the initial thoughts I have are:

I believe the intentions are that you create the (better) equipment to suit someone in your community rather than "having an extra gun". Therefore, a character with Bladed Weapons would be much better off and more efficient with a sturdy machete than just a rifle. So keeping the combat skills as they are.

ALL Survivors can use the Stealth skill! If you can't be quiet to a certain degree, you probably won't be ranking amongst the living anymore.

I will change it so anyone can use a backpack and enjoy the extra Inventory slot though.

Besides this, the rules stand.

I have played around with a "standard" 10 Tier starting community. I have 2/3 minis planned, but VERY tempted to get the Hasslefree Laurie mini as that's exactly what I have in mind. Brief description of the characters:

"OBIE" (heavily based upon yours truly) TIER 4 HERO

Originally from Sweden, middle aged. Saw action on the Balkans as a young man with the Swedish Armed Forces and dabbled in martial arts (Wing Chun/ Escrima/ Krav Maga). Worked for many years as support staff at a hospital, and have picked up a few tricks along the way. Best traits are his easygoing attitude and positive spirit. When the Rot happened, he wasn't just going to give up.

Bladed Weapons
Scouting
Tactics
Medical

Shivani Shakti Singh, TIER 3 LEADER

Of Indian descent and grew up in a traditional home and married an abusive husband. When the Rot set in, she suddenly found herself with a never before experienced freedom. Initially it scared her, but she picked herself up and vowed that she'd never be a victim again! She has now grown from a timid accountant to a confident survivor!

Archery
Stealth
Scavenge

Hector Alonzo Vidal, TIER 3 LEADER

Grandfather and husband. Before the Rot, he had barely travelled 40 miles away from where he was born and raised. He had lived in the house his parents had had, he had taken over his father's modest but reliable local mechanics shop, he had eaten in the same cafe every day for as long as he could remember. When the Rot happened, his little world came crashing down. It hit him hard, but maybe, just maybe, there's still A Task for him to finish...

Longarms
Mechanic
Utilities

I'm also going to use the same miniatures and scenery I'm currently putting together and painting up, which can be found HERE: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=147633.0

[mikedemana]

County Road Z is VERY cool, and I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

The only thing I didn't like was the out of sequence activations of the zombies. So, say your four survivors are at the end of the street and want to run down it past the zombies. Your survivors have to activate one after another -- not together. However, the zombies get to react individually to each survivor running down the street meaning the later moving characters will be swamped and have no chance. And don't get me started on the fact zombies react after each shot fired in a 3-round burst... 

Otherwise, it is such a cool, rich environment. Hope you enjoy it, and please share your crew's adventures...!

Mike Demana

[Kourtchatovium104]

Interesting original background for your minis, very atmospheric. Can't wait your battle report. 

[Doug ex-em4]

Interesting - may have to get this one. Is it a US publication?

Doug

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

It was originally only available in PDF form via Wargames Vault, I think, but is now published by Modiphius:

https://modiphius.net/products/county-road-z-core-rulebook?srsltid=AfmBOoq1BrjET40tZoobvAZsOS0ebX9XTFiw9AvGMG-TbGJdtMgoOS6b

[Legionnaire]

County Road Z is VERY cool, and I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

The only thing I didn't like was the out of sequence activations of the zombies. So, say your four survivors are at the end of the street and want to run down it past the zombies. Your survivors have to activate one after another -- not together. However, the zombies get to react individually to each survivor running down the street meaning the later moving characters will be swamped and have no chance. And don't get me started on the fact zombies react after each shot fired in a 3-round burst... 

Otherwise, it is such a cool, rich environment. Hope you enjoy it, and please share your crew's adventures...!

Mike Demana

Although, I approach EVERY game with that in mind, as it says on the first pages: "If you don't like something, change it!"

I haven't had a trial game to check the mechanics yet, but the main draw for me was the opportunity to play a kind of zombie style game I would enjoy. Gaining experience, becoming better survivors, building your base, decide what amenities you have, food and ammo issues...

As per your "grief", I think I'll take that as "sound advice" and see what I can do about it. I DO like that you have only so many strong points (Skills) per Survivor, so each member will become really valuable. What if your resident Mechanic dies? That's going to affect your options greatly!

What I didn't really like, as it seems a very repetitive mechanic, is to have to roll for Stealth for EVERY zombie within earshot ("6" Noise)of your movement path to see if they activate or not. I might just go with DEX (+Stealth) value, that's the number of inches you subtract from 7 to determine within how many inches you'd activate zombies, without having to be bogged down and potentially roll for dozens of zombies to see if they'd activate or not.

So, a Survivor with Dex 0 or 1 would activate any zombie within 6". On the other hand a Survivor with Dex 4, would attract zombies within 3" and if you have Dex 3, Stealth 2, only a Zombie within 2" of your path would activate. If your total would be 7 or more (potential to be , you would be a veritable ninja and not attracting any zombies during moving!

Or doing it based on the Zombie type's Awareness...

Because it's a solo/ co-op game, I think you could take liberties to do it as you see fit. Just off the top off my head, in the initial example of everyone running for it. LET them run together as a group, because that's the intention at this point, THEN follow up with the zombies group activation.

Maybe use Tactics dice (if you have them) to "Mark" certain zombies, preventing them from activating (some distraction caused, unpredictable movements etc.) Or Scout Skill Level (not total) to do the same... Only once per game and when the group decides to make a run for it maybe...

But as I said, I haven't played around with the rules yet. I usually tweak one or two things 

[Legionnaire]

Interesting - may have to get this one. Is it a US publication?

Doug

It's a very cool book and having spent far too many hours playing State of Decay 2 on my XBox, this was just the ticket.

As another user points out, indeed, I have bought the Modiphius hardback rulebook. Here in the UK I bought it from Wayland games for about £30.

I think, but is now published by Modiphius:

https://modiphius.net/products/county-road-z-core-rulebook?srsltid=AfmBOoq1BrjET40tZoobvAZsOS0ebX9XTFiw9AvGMG-TbGJdtMgoOS6b

[Legionnaire]

Interesting original background for your minis, very atmospheric. Can't wait your battle report. 

Thank you  !

Yes, I think if you are playing a game, you NEED to have some background in place to enhance the experience. "Random machete wielding guy #3" just doesn't do the trick for me  .

There MIGHT be something up in Februaryish, I'm painting up minis and putting terrain together but REALLY look forward to giving this a go.

P.S: Now I HAVE to buy that Hasslefree Laurie mini...

[Ultravanillasmurf]

It's a very cool book and having spent far too many hours playing State of Decay 2 on my XBox, this was just the ticket.

As another user points out, indeed, I have bought the Modiphius hardback rulebook. Here in the UK I bought it from Wayland games for about £30.

I think, but is now published by Modiphius:

https://modiphius.net/products/county-road-z-core-rulebook?srsltid=AfmBOoq1BrjET40tZoobvAZsOS0ebX9XTFiw9AvGMG-TbGJdtMgoOS6b

And available from our gracious host:https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=18256

[Spinal Tap]

County Road Z has been a great success for me, decisions are meaningful both in game and between.

Losing a party member can really screw you up as their replacement will have different, and possibly sub par, skills.

Regarding the 6" activation I like it; if you run close in a group then the ones at the back are more likely to be caught.

A group of Zeds (3 or more) activate together so not too much rolling.

The game is really about keeping distance and approaching only when necessary.

Along with Sellswords and Spellslingers and Zona Alfa Kontraband this is one of my favourite solo systems.

Also the £3 a month patreon offers extras to add to the game as you see fit.

I'm contemplating doing a fantasy 'on the road' version.

[Legionnaire]

County Road Z has been a great success for me, decisions are meaningful both in game and between.

Losing a party member can really screw you up as their replacement will have different, and possibly sub par, skills.

Regarding the 6" activation I like it; if you run close in a group then the ones at the back are more likely to be caught.

A group of Zeds (3 or more) activate together so not too much rolling.

The game is really about keeping distance and approaching only when necessary.

Along with Sellswords and Spellslingers and Zona Alfa Kontraband this is one of my favourite solo systems.

Also the £3 a month patreon offers extras to add to the game as you see fit.

A man in the know!!!

Thank you for your input about your gaming experience and your impression of it.

The 3+ Zeds is the Horde mechanic, isn't it?

I'm still having to read through the book properly once, but I have some bits I probably will incorporate (ammo!) and others maybe not (all those weapon mods... I really don't see, in a crumbled society, how you're going to be able to maintain your fancy-pants-modded-to-death-hairtrigger-specialcarbon-boomstick... you'd probably be grateful that you have a working 9mm handgun...)

[Spinal Tap]

You also have to factor that some survivors will have no combat skills at all.

However they may buff the in game action or be useful for running facilities at base.

[Legionnaire]

You also have to factor that some survivors will have no combat skills at all.

However they may buff the in game action or be useful for running facilities at base.

Thank you very much for your insights in the game. All things worth knowing and consider. Really looking forward to playing the game.

[mikedemana]

I'm contemplating doing a fantasy 'on the road' version.

My County Road Z was going to be an "on the road" thing, too! My idea was that a group of survivors decide it is better to gather up vehicles and head west to the less densely populated states. For the HQ, each room or addition is a vehicle instead. Medical center? An ambulance. Dormitory? Recreational Vehicle. Tool shop? A contractor's pick up with the giant tool boxes on the sides.

I still may end up playing County Road Z solo, but I'm having fun with our group games of Zombie RV for now. Good luck on your project, and I look forward to reading your turn by turn report...! 

Mike Demana

[Legionnaire]

My County Road Z was going to be an "on the road" thing, too! My idea was that a group of survivors decide it is better to gather up vehicles and head west to the less densely populated states. For the HQ, each room or addition is a vehicle instead. Medical center? An ambulance. Dormitory? Recreational Vehicle. Tool shop? A contractor's pick up with the giant tool boxes on the sides.

I still may end up playing County Road Z solo, but I'm having fun with our group games of Zombie RV for now. Good luck on your project, and I look forward to reading your turn by turn report...! 

Mike Demana

That sounds like a very cool idea, more of a "fleet community", I like when people think outside of the box and put a unique spin on games  .

Thank you very much for your positive comments and encouragements Mike, it makes it more fun to get creative. I am itching to play, but have to do my minis and the terrain up first, but hopefully I have something to show by end of February, depending on how it goes with health and motivation.

I will most likely do an introduction of the characters in my usual fashion prior to any gaming, who they are and how they met each other etc. I have an idea or two  .