CATAN: Traders & Barbarians Board Game Expansion

Designer: Klaus Teuber
Artists: Michael Menzel, Tanja Donner
Publisher: Catan Studio
Player Count: 2-4
Recommended Age: 12+
Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
Year Published: 2007

Overview:

“CATAN: Traders & Barbarians” is an expansion for the popular board game CATAN. This expansion offers a compilation of new scenarios, variants, and rules that enhance and diversify the classic CATAN gameplay. It’s designed to add new layers of strategy and excitement, making it a must-have for fans looking to expand their CATAN experience.

Gameplay:

The “Traders & Barbarians” expansion introduces several new scenarios and variants that can be mixed and matched to customize your gameplay experience. Here are some of the key additions:

• Catan Event Cards: These replace dice rolls with cards, adding a level of predictability and strategy to resource generation.
• Harbormaster: Adds a new victory point for controlling the most harbors, offering a new strategic objective.
• Catan for Two: A two-player variant that modifies the base game to make it more enjoyable with just two players.
• The Fishermen of Catan: Introduces fishing as a new resource.
• The Rivers of Catan: Adds rivers that provide gold, a new form of currency.
• The Caravans: Introduces camels and trading opportunities in the desert.
• Barbarian Attack: Players must work together to defend against barbarian invasions.

Components:

The expansion includes a variety of new components to support the additional scenarios and variants:

• Over 300 game pieces, including bridges, wagons, barbarians, and more.
• Scenario and variant-specific cards and tiles.
• New rules and scenarios booklet.

Pros:

• Enhanced Replayability: The numerous scenarios and variants ensure that no two games are ever the same.
• Customizable Experience: Players can mix and match scenarios and variants to tailor the game to their preferences.
• Improved Two-Player Experience: The “Catan for Two” variant makes the game enjoyable even with a lower player count.
• Thematic Depth: The new scenarios add rich thematic elements that enhance the storytelling aspect of the game.

Cons:

• Complexity: The additional rules and scenarios can be overwhelming for new players and may require time to learn.
• Setup Time: The new components and scenarios can increase the setup time compared to the base game.
• Balance: Some scenarios may feel unbalanced, depending on player strategies and familiarity with the game.

Conclusion:

“CATAN: Traders & Barbarians” is an excellent expansion for seasoned CATAN players looking to deepen their gameplay experience. Its diverse scenarios and variants provide fresh challenges and strategic opportunities, ensuring that each game feels unique. While it may introduce some complexity, the expanded replayability and thematic richness make it a worthwhile addition to any CATAN collection. Whether you’re defending against barbarians, navigating rivers, or competing for the title of Harbormaster, this expansion offers countless hours of engaging gameplay.