Objective of the Game
CATAN – Traders & Barbarians is an expansion for the base game CATAN (formerly known as "The Settlers of Catan"). The objective varies depending on the chosen scenario, but generally includes reaching a certain number of victory points by building settlements, cities, and roads, and trading goods.
Game Components
- Expansion cards and game material for the scenarios
- New figures, such as barbarian ships, fisher villages, and knights
- Additional landscape and resource fields
- Scenario-specific building cost cards
Setup of the Game
- Set up the base game: Distribute landscape tiles, number tokens, and the robber figure as indicated in the base game.
- Choose an expansion scenario: Traders & Barbarians includes five different scenarios, each with unique goals and game rules.
- Adjust the setup for the scenario: Each scenario requires specific adjustments, such as placing new figures or distributing special cards.
Basic Rules
The fundamental rules remain the same as in the basic CATAN: players trade resources, build roads, settlements, and cities, and draw cards for development and progress opportunities. However, the other scenarios introduce additional rules:
Traders & Barbarians Scenario Rules
- New Resources and Commodities: Besides the traditional five resources, there are commodities such as glass and marble.
- Camel Caravans: Buy and sell goods using camel caravans.
- Field Camps: Establish field camps to improve defense against raids.
Strategy and Situational Tips
- Resource Management is even more critical with the added commodities. Effective managing and trading is essential.
- Flexibility: Due to the variety of scenarios, adapting to different strategies is important.
- Plan Defense: In some scenarios, barbarian raids pose a significant threat. Building a solid defense strategy can make a difference.
Tips for New Players
- Reading the rules beforehand is recommended, especially the specifics of the chosen scenario, to play efficiently and strategically.
- Leverage Community Cards and Trade: Often, the best strategies are found in team play and trading.
This expansion offers a rich variety of new challenges and opportunities, ensuring that exploring CATAN remains thrilling.
