Paleo: The Hornets

Hans im Glück, Devir, Lucky Duck Games · Board game · 2022
1–4 · best 2 Solo 45–60 min Weight 2.8/5
rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you love the Paleo universe and crave extra tension, The Hornets lands just in time.

Highlights
  • Intense cooperation
  • Strategic memory
  • Variable setup
Keep in mind
  • Difficulty hinges on other modules
  • Requires base game
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Paleo: The Hornets arrives as the third expansion of the Paleo line, adding a buzzing threat to the prehistoric setting. After the survivor group learned to harvest honey from bees, aggressive hornets have moved in nearby, forcing players to contend with a new enemy that can disrupt their missions. The module can only be played with the base game, and its difficulty scales with the other modules you combine: in easy scenarios the hornets are a minor nuisance, while in tougher campaigns they become a genuine strategic hurdle.

Cooperative play remains the core, with everyone working together to survive the hostile environment and complete exploration objectives. Hornets appear via event cards that trigger simultaneous decision‑making; each player secretly chooses how to respond—spending resources, repositioning, or using special abilities—and all choices are revealed at once, preserving tension and preventing a single player from dictating the pace.

A memory element is added as some hornet cards are placed face‑down and only reveal their effect when triggered, requiring players to remember where the deadliest threats lie. The setup is variable, allowing different placements of hornet nests and honey zones, which boosts replayability. Scenarios are presented as short missions but can be linked into larger campaigns, offering a mission/campaign experience that adapts to the chosen difficulty level.

High‑quality components—including illustrated cards, insect markers, and a modular board—keep the visual style consistent with the Paleo series. In short, The Hornets expands the base game with a fresh, well‑integrated menace, perfect for groups that have mastered the basics and want a bit more tension without a steep learning curve.

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Bees Animals: Insects Theme: Survival
Publisher Hans im Glück, Devir, Lucky Duck Games, Z-Man Games
Designer Peter Rustemeyer
Artist Ingram Schell

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can join?
1 to 4 players, just like the base game.
What’s the typical playtime?
Between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the scenario.
Do I need the base Paleo game?
Yes, The Hornets is an expansion and requires the core game to play.
How complex is the expansion?
Light to moderate (weight 2.8), suitable for players familiar with Paleo’s basics.
What components are included?
Event and hornet cards, insect markers, modular board pieces, and honey tokens.
Who should buy this module?
Groups already playing Paleo who want a fresh threat without a steep learning curve.
How does difficulty change?
When paired with easy modules the hornets are minor nuisances; with harder modules they become a serious challenge.