Paranoia Uncooperative Board Game: First Look and Setup
By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Get your first look at Paranoia: The Uncooperative Board Game and learn how to set up your first mission in Alpha Complex. Step-by-step instructions for new Troubleshooters.
Quick Answer
Set up Paranoia: The Uncooperative Board Game by assigning Security Clearance INFRARED roles, shuffling the mission deck, and placing your Troubleshooter pawns in the starting sector. This guide walks you through each step.
What Makes This Game Uncooperative
Paranoia: The Uncooperative Board Game is not a typical cooperative experience. Players are Troubleshooters in Alpha Complex, a dystopian city run by The Computer. The game encourages betrayal, secret objectives, and backstabbing, all while pretending to work together. This setup guide helps you start your first mission without giving away too many secrets.
How to Set Up Your First Game
- 1. Assign Security Clearance Roles: Each player chooses a Troubleshooter character and takes the corresponding pawn, player board, and secret objective card. Keep your secret objective hidden from other players. Common mistake: Revealing your secret objective early. Do not show it to anyone.
- 2. Prepare the Mission Deck: Shuffle the mission cards and place them face down in the center of the play area. Draw the top card and read it aloud to set the mission goal for this game. Checkpoint: Ensure the mission card is fully read before anyone takes their first turn.
- 3. Set Up the Board: Place the game board in the middle of the table. Each player puts their pawn in the starting sector indicated on the mission card. Shuffle the room tiles and place them face down next to the board. Common mistake: Placing pawns in the wrong sector. Double-check the mission card for the correct starting location.
- 4. Distribute Starting Items: Each player draws one equipment card and one mutant power card from their respective decks. Keep these hidden from other players unless the card says otherwise. Checkpoint: Mutant powers are illegal in Alpha Complex. Using them openly may get you executed!
- 5. Ready the Traitor Deck: Shuffle the traitor cards and place them face down near the mission deck. These are used when players betray each other during the game. Common mistake: Forgetting the traitor deck exists. It is a core mechanic, not an optional add-on.
Product Details
- Paranoia: The Uncooperative Board Game: Security Clearance: INFRARED - Cleared for all citizens This means the game is accessible to all players, regardless of experience level, and you can jump right into the chaos without prior knowledge.
Paranoia: The Uncooperative Board Game
