CATAN: Traders & Barbarians*

CATAN: Traders & Barbarians is the third major expansion for The Settlers of Catan, offering a collection of various small expansions and scenarios. This expansion adds new dimensions to the base game, providing players with more variety and strategic options. It is compatible with the base game and can be combined with other expansions like Seafarers and Cities & Knights.

Content Overview

1. Five Scenarios:

   • The Fishermen of Catan: Expanded in this edition, originally from Spielbox magazine.
   • The Rivers of Catan: Expanded to include two rivers, originally from the Atlantis scenario box.
   • The Great Caravan: A free expansion from Germany.
   • Barbarian Invasion: A new addition, introducing barbarians and knights.
   • Traders & Barbarians: A new scenario involving rebuilding Catan with new resources like glass and marble.

2. Four Minor Variants:

   • 2-Player Rules: Features "Commercial Chips" and neutral players.
   • Catan Event Cards: Replaces dice with cards to reduce randomness.
   • The Harbormaster Card: Awards victory points for harbor points.
   • Friendly Robber Rules: A variant rule for the robber.

3. New Components and Mechanics:

   • New hex tiles for scenarios.
   • New resources, knight pieces, and other elements enhancing gameplay.
   • Commercial Chips for two-player games.
   • Event cards to minimize the randomness of dice.
   • The Harbormaster Card for additional victory points.

Gameplay Experience

CATAN: Traders & Barbarians enriches the CATAN experience with new challenges and strategic possibilities. Each scenario and variant offers a unique twist, making the game more engaging and replayable. The expansion caters to different player preferences, from those looking for more interaction and combat to those who enjoy building and trade strategies.

Conclusion

As a compilation of various smaller expansions, CATAN: Traders & Barbarians is a versatile and valuable addition to any CATAN collection. It provides a fresh perspective on the classic game with new mechanics and scenarios that can be mixed and matched for varied gameplay experiences. This expansion is well-suited for CATAN enthusiasts looking to explore new strategies and enjoy more depth in their games.