Pandemic Legacy Season 1: Month One humbled us

Four friends, pizza, big dreams, got absolutely dumpstered by Month One twice in a row. Not even close. Outbreak chains like the game was personally offended.

I know Pandemic can swing with the deck but I didn’t expect legacy to feel this harsh right out the gate. We were still in the ‘reading every rule twice’ phase which didn’t help.

Third attempt we played slower, actually talked through trades, and squeaked a win with zero cards left in the player deck — like cinematic timing — and then opened the first envelope and immediately started arguing about what we’re allowed to say out loud.

If your group stalled on Month One, what habit change actually mattered? I’m trying not to google strategy and spoil the ride.