
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game – Fireclaw
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2021

2020
Rules assistance for Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game is a board game released in 2020 for 1–4 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Sherwin Matthews and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Solo / Solitaire Game, and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game is a semi co-operative tactical action game for 1-4 players designed in the rich and unique Horizon Zero Dawn universe. Assigned a dangerous quarry by the Hunter's Lodge, players choose a tribe and class for their hunter and embark on an adventure through the wilds. A variety of machines and unexpected events lurk along the way, and awaiting them at the end of the trail is a lethal boss fight. Combining innovative and dynamic game mechanisms with strategic deck building, Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game offers players a unique experience on each playthrough. Hunters can develop along several skill paths and purchase a wide variety of ammunition and equipment from merchants, as well as facing entirely different encounters each time. —description from the publisher
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game is 60–90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game belongs to these categories: Fighting, Video Game Theme, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Solo / Solitaire Game, and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game are: Sherwin Matthews. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.