Another thing I've found to work is, pick the parasite and sell your starting symptom. After that buy upgrades for everything BUT symptoms, after every country is infected, you can start buying whatever symptoms you want. This strategy worked well for me, because with no symptoms there is no visibility, so countries don't close down things for a while.
@Blazer205 If you really loved this game you would keep playing instead of whining about getting a refund. People have lost worse and continue playing, including me. I lost 5 def pots a vit pot crystal wand master robe renewing tome and superior defense ring from one death. But I keep playing and don't ask for a refund because I know part of this game is dyeing and losing items. So if you left I'd be glad someone stupid is out of this game.
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It's very nice to hear, after a so hard work on the game, very appreciate it)