BANG!: The Walking Dead

Each player starts with a character board, which includes a permanent axe weapon with a range of 1. Players are dealt a hidden role card: either a Leader, a Survivor, a Savior, or a Hilltop player. The Leader's role card is revealed face-up, while all other roles remain hidden. Each character has a specific health value, and players receive that many health tokens, which are placed on their character board. The Leader receives one additional health token. Players also draw a number of cards equal to their current health, forming their starting hand.

The game features three factions with distinct objectives. The Leader and their Survivor allies win if they eliminate all Saviors and the Hilltop player. The Saviors win if they successfully eliminate the Leader. The Hilltop player, acting as a lone wolf, wins if they are the last player remaining in the game. These objectives create dynamic alliances and betrayals throughout the game.

A player's turn consists of three phases. First, the player draws two cards from the main deck. Second, the player may play any number of cards from their hand; however, only one attack card can be played per turn unless a special weapon or ability allows otherwise. Cards can be used to attack other players, heal themselves, or equip items. Third, at the end of their turn, the player must discard cards until the number of cards in their hand matches their current health value.

Scoring is determined by team objectives. If the Leader is eliminated, the Saviors win, unless only the Hilltop player remains, in which case the Hilltop player wins. If all Saviors and the Hilltop player are eliminated, the Leader and any remaining Survivors win. The Hilltop player's victory is solitary, requiring them to outlast all other players.

The game concludes immediately when one of the victory conditions is met. This means either the Leader and Survivors successfully eliminate their opponents, the Saviors eliminate the Leader, or the Hilltop player becomes the sole survivor. The game can be quite fast-paced, with player elimination being a core mechanic.