%2Fpic1129370.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
About Flash Point: Fire Rescue
Flash Point: Fire Rescue is a cooperative game by Kevin Lanzing, published by Indie Boards & Cards. The players are a fire crew inside a burning house, spending action points to move, put out fire, open doors and carry victims out. After every turn the fire spreads by dice roll, sometimes exploding and damaging walls. It comes with a family game and a fuller experienced game with specialist roles, so it grows with the group.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Is Flash Point: Fire Rescue Right for You?
Best for
Flash Point is for families and groups who like cooperative games with a strong theme and a physical sense of danger. The family rules make it easy to teach and the experienced game adds roles and hazards once everyone is comfortable. The double-sided board gives two different houses to fight through. Three or four players is best, so the crew can cover the building.
Maybe skip it if…
The fire spreads by dice, and a bad roll can be devastating, so players who hate luck will be frustrated. It also shares the alpha-player problem common to open-information co-ops.
How to Play Flash Point: Fire Rescue
Setup
Set up the building board with the starting fire and points of interest, some of which are victims and some false alarms. Place firefighters outside.
On Your Turn
- Spend four action points: move, open or close doors, extinguish smoke or fire, chop through walls, or carry a victim.
- Advance the fire by rolling dice to place smoke on a space. Smoke touching fire ignites, and fire on fire causes an explosion that damages walls.
- Replace any points of interest that have been revealed or rescued.
How to Win
Rescue seven victims. You lose if four victims are lost or the building collapses from damage.
💡 Strategy Tips
Contain before you rescue. Smoke you leave now is next turn's explosion, and explosions are what bring the building down.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring smoke. Smoke next to fire becomes fire, and a building full of smoke becomes a building full of explosions.
- Rescuing without a plan. Carrying victims costs extra action points, so clear a route to an exit before you pick someone up.
- Chopping walls carelessly. Every damage marker counts towards collapse, including the ones you place yourself.
- Spending every action point every turn. Saving points for the next turn can let you do something decisive.
Advanced Strategy
- Assign roles. Have one firefighter fighting fire and another searching for victims, rather than everyone doing both.
- Open doors deliberately. Doors stop fire spreading, and an open one can let an explosion through.
- Reveal points of interest early. False alarms clear space for real victims to appear.
- In the experienced game, specialists are the difference. Choose the right mix of roles for the building.
Variants & House Rules
Family game
The basic rules, with a fixed starting fire and no specialist roles. Start here.
Experienced game
Adds specialist roles, hazardous materials, hot spots and the fire vehicles. Much tougher and more interesting.
Expansions
Several expansions add new buildings and challenges. The base box has enough content to last a long time.
Video Guides
Loading videos…
Our Verdict
Flash Point is one of the most thematic family co-ops available, and the family-to-experienced progression gives it real staying power. The fire can be cruel, but that is what makes rescues feel like rescues. It is a good step up from Forbidden Island and a good alternative to Pandemic for groups who want a more physical, tactical puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win?
Rescue seven victims from the burning building before four victims are lost or the building collapses.
What is the difference between the family and experienced game?
The experienced game adds specialist roles, hazardous materials and hot spots. It is harder and more varied.
Does it work solo?
Not officially, but many players run two or more firefighters themselves and it works well.