Objective
The Rivals for Catan is a card game designed for two players, where each player competes to expand their principality and gain resources to build settlements and cities. The winner is the first to reach a set number of victory points (usually 7 victory points).
Game Components
- 1 playing area (consisting of 9 frame cards forming a 3x3 grid)
- Settlement and City tokens
- Resource cards (Wood, Brick, Grain, Wool, Ore)
- Development cards (with various effects)
- Dice
- Victory point tokens
Setup
- Each player sets up their ''base'' field with a settlement card and two road cards.
- The resource and development cards are shuffled and placed as separate facedown decks.
- Each player draws a specified number of cards (depending on the chosen game variant).
- Each player receives a set of resources according to their initial cards.
- Keep dice handy.
Gameplay
The game is played in turns. Each turn is divided into the following phases:
1. Production Phase
- The active player rolls two dice: a Resource Die and an Event Die.
- The Resource Die dictates which resources are produced by all players. The players’ settlements and cities gather resources based on adjacent landscape cards.
- The Event Die triggers a specific event (e.g., trade bonus, robber attack) that must be followed.
2. Building Phase
- The active player performs building actions to create new roads, settlements, cities, or developments (e.g., special buildings or action cards).
- Each action costs resources, which must be available to the player to proceed.
3. Trade Phase
- Players may perform trades to exchange resources with the supply or, depending on some developments, with the other player.
Strategy Development
- Build with versatility: Don’t focus only on settlements; utilize development cards for special advantages.
- Manage resources wisely and plan future turns.
Winning
The player to first reach the specified number of victory points wins.
Special Situations
- Adjustments: If a player draws an unfortunate hand, some adjustments or card resets may be allowed (depending on scenarios).
- Strategic Blocks: Use tactical construction to slow down your opponent.
Tips
- Consider when to take risks; sometimes an early expansion pays off in the long run.
- Keep an eye on developments, as they offer points and strategic advantages.
