
- BGG rank
- BGG #625
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Catan
- 3–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1995

2023
Rules assistance for Outrun the Bear
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Outrun the Bear is a board game released in 2023 for 2–6 players, 20–45 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Samuel Barmettler and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Race.
Sometimes you don’t have to OUTRUN THE BEAR… you just have to outrun your friends. In Outrun the Bear you’ll play against up to five friends as you manage your cards in the race for your lives. Start at the campsite, and use action, reaction, and equipment cards to make it all the way to the parking lot and the safety of the car (while helping or sabotaging your friends.) Choose the cards you play carefully cause at the end of the round the Bear will run after player based on the cards that were played. The game ends when all runners have either made it to the parking lot or have been eaten by the bear. So try to keep at least one friend between you and the bear at all times, and maybe you will manage to OUTRUN THE BEAR. —description from the designer
Outrun the Bear supports 2–6 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 Outrun the Bear is 20–45 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 Outrun the Bear for ages 8 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.
Outrun the Bear has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Outrun the Bear belongs to these categories: Children's Game and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Race. 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 Outrun the Bear are: Samuel Barmettler. 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 Outrun the Bear 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.