# Dawn of the Zeds (Designer Edition) Pre-order **URL:** \ **Category:** Crowded Dungeons: Unreleased or crowd funded\ **Created:** [June 2, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708 "2026-06-02T13:31:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![boardgamebrewer](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/boardgamebrewer/32/890_2.png) [@boardgamebrewer](https://dungeondive.quest/u/boardgamebrewer)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/1 "2026-06-02T13:31:05Z")
I know there has been some coverage of Dawn of the Zeds on the channel. I see that Blue Panther is currently running a pre-order until the end of June for a new version of the game. This will done with a traditional production method rather than Print-on-demad. Looks like they have setup pre-orders though various retailers locally and internationally. > **[Dawn of the Zeds (International Pre-Order)](https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/dawn-of-the-zeds-international-pre-order)** > > Dawn of The Zeds is a 1-6 player cooperative survival game set in a zombie apocalypse. The undead are marching on your town. The nightmare ends only if you win. INTERNATIONAL PRE-ORDER VERSION Coming October 2026 | From Hermann Luttmann The world you... > **[Dawn of the Zeds (USA Pre-Order)](https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/dawn-of-the-zeds-usa-pre-order)** > > Dawn of The Zeds is a 1-6 player cooperative survival game set in a zombie apocalypse. The undead are marching on your town. The nightmare ends only if you win. USA PRE-ORDER VERSION Coming October 2026 | From Hermann Luttmann The world you knew is... I hope this method works out for them, as it keeps some of the retail stores involved. It also looks like they have “stretch goals” for this edition based on the number of pre-orders. I haven’t played DOTZ yet, but am interested in this version… As I understand it the combat system has been simplified a bit with custom dice. ---
**Author:** ![Splatstick](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/splatstick/32/1784_2.png) [@Splatstick](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Splatstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/2 "2026-06-02T17:10:51Z")
I just read this email from Hollainspielle! I’m on the fence, I have Zeds 3rd edition but no expansions. I’m just always weary of owning two versions and I get too damn nostalgic about the one I have. Like I played Assault on Doomrock the other night and didn’t bother getting the new KS version out as I have everything organized how I like it in my old one. Same with Bloc by Bloc. But, if this makes getting Zeds out easier and run smoother…I’m thinking I may do it. ---
**Author:** ![darren](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/darren/32/285_2.png) [@darren](https://dungeondive.quest/u/darren)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/3 "2026-06-02T21:24:14Z")
I had the full third edition that I regret getting rid of a while back. I would be excited about this streamlined version, but something about the visuals and graphic design feel like a big step backward from the version I had. I’ll keep an eye on it though. Thanks for pointers. ---
**Author:** ![Dungeondive](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/dungeondive/32/106_2.png) [@Dungeondive](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Dungeondive)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/4 "2026-06-09T08:16:47Z")
Ordered mine today. I really like the approach to streamlining the game. ---
**Author:** ![Sordeq](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/sordeq/32/2306_2.png) [@Sordeq](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Sordeq)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/5 "2026-06-10T19:15:40Z")
Sounds like folks enjoy the game but aren’t totally excited about a new version? For someone with no exposure to this game, would you recommend that I play A version (rather than a specific version)? This printing would be the one I can get my hands on. ---
**Author:** ![goodjesse](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/goodjesse/32/3080_2.png) [@goodjesse](https://dungeondive.quest/u/goodjesse)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/6 "2026-06-10T23:38:59Z")
I love Zeds 3rd Edition, my only problem with it is that it takes way too long to play and there are about 10 or more variants that make the game longer! So if I didn’t have the previous version I would probably buy into this, although the art was pretty fantastic in 3rd Ed. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_People](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/not_people/32/2663_2.png) [@Not\_People](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Not_People)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 11:12am UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/7 "2026-06-16T11:12:39Z")
Depends on where you’re looking. BGG forums seem to have a lot of excitement about the new version. Herman Luttman (the designer) is responding to comments and concerns on BGG too: [https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3721458/do-we-think-this-version-will-be-able-to-retain-th](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3721458/do-we-think-this-version-will-be-able-to-retain-th) Like you I’ve never had a chance to play the game but I don’t feel like I’m gonna miss anything by grabbing this new version. ---
**Author:** ![modius](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/modius/32/92_2.png) [@modius](https://dungeondive.quest/u/modius)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 6:56am UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/8 "2026-06-17T06:56:54Z")
> [@Not\_People](#): > > Herman Luttman (the designer) is responding to comments and concerns on BGG too: [https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3721458/do-we-think-this-version-will-be-able-to-retain-th](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3721458/do-we-think-this-version-will-be-able-to-retain-th) ![CleanShot 2026-06-17 at 16.45.46@2x](https://dungeondive.quest/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c13c3933928040a33a0b363b29a3b4c62107cd76.png) Zeds 3rd Edition is a tough game to get into – anything they can do to retain the vibe and reduce the rules teach is a good thing. * * * As much as I enjoy Zeds I think I had more fun with Hermann’s other tower defence, Plum Island Horror. [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/341166/the-plum-island-horror](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/341166/the-plum-island-horror) ![IMG8448](https://dungeondive.quest/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b47404dd6f163f924ca7e229c172791945bac5f0.jpeg) ![image](https://dungeondive.quest/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b7a79805efd01bfa086cbbf054f2bafecb685674.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Not\_People](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/not_people/32/2663_2.png) [@Not\_People](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Not_People)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/9 "2026-06-17T11:18:36Z")
I came close to picking up Plum Island, but for some reason never pulled the trigger. I wonder if some of what he did with that game will be used to help streamline the new version of Dawn of the Zeds? I’ll keep my fingers crossed! Though heavy rule sets and fiddliness tend not to be much of a turnoff here. I just play with my wife at a dedicated table… Gives us all the time in the world to learn and play a game. ---
**Author:** ![goodjesse](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/goodjesse/32/3080_2.png) [@goodjesse](https://dungeondive.quest/u/goodjesse)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/10 "2026-06-29T00:10:00Z")
That looks really cool but somehow even MORE intimidating than Dawn of the Zeds. Have you played this one solo? ---
**Author:** ![boardgamebrewer](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/boardgamebrewer/32/890_2.png) [@boardgamebrewer](https://dungeondive.quest/u/boardgamebrewer)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/11 "2026-06-30T17:42:32Z")
![image](https://dungeondive.quest/uploads/default/original/2X/6/63d86e585856ecf8b41195ce199daafa1aa3ceae.jpeg) Last day to pre-order Dawn of the Zeds with the pre-order strech goal items. Nothing really needed for play but mainly bling and card sleeves. ---
**Author:** ![modius](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/modius/32/92_2.png) [@modius](https://dungeondive.quest/u/modius)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/12 "2026-06-30T23:50:24Z")
> [@goodjesse](#): > > That looks really cool but somehow even MORE intimidating than Dawn of the Zeds. > Have you played this one solo? I’ve only played both solo – the folks I know who’d play co-op games don’t like heavy rules, and the heavy rules set eschew co-ops. Plum Island I found to the easier of the two to get into, but then Dawn of The Zeds is a classic for a reason 😉 Both are long games. If I didn’t already own 3rd edition, I’d certainly pick up the Designer Edition. ---
**Author:** ![Sordeq](https://dungeondive.quest/user_avatar/dungeondive.quest/sordeq/32/2306_2.png) [@Sordeq](https://dungeondive.quest/u/Sordeq)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://dungeondive.quest/t/dawn-of-the-zeds-designer-edition-pre-order/1708/13 "2026-07-01T23:02:42Z")
To follow up, I did end up pre-ordering this one. I’m excited to finally take it for a spin next winter.