Traders and Barbarians of Catan Expansion

The Traders and Barbarians of Catan Expansion Pack contains almost 100 new wooden pieces for use in the game. There are 22 camels, 36 barbarians, a set of knights, bridges and wagons for each player. The figures are well designed. There are 120 cards including Catan event cards, new development cards, wagon technology cards and reference cards. There are new terrain tiles, new victory point cards and other pieces for different scenarios. A rule book for this expansion pack is included.

This variation of the game includes a friendly robber, who can't attack a player with less than 3 victory points. The event cards replaces rolling the dice. Each player draws a card at the beginning of their turn. The harbormaster card is worth 2 victory points. The first player to win three harbor points wins the harbormaster card. Harbor points are obtained by placing settlements or cities at a harbor.

This expansion pack also includes a method for playing The Settlers of Catan board game with two players. In this version, two dummy players are introduced for whom the actual players can build. They can also trade tokens with the dummy players. Tokens are a new resource introduced in this game.

There are five scenarios in the Catan Barbarians and Traders Expansion. The Fisherman of Catan can find fishing spots along the edges of the board where there are no harbors and in an inland lake. These fishing spots produce fish as a resource when their numbers are rolled. The fish are used much like other resources.

The Rivers of Catan has two rivers which run through the island. Building on the rivers produces gold, but building over them requires bridges. Bridges cost more than roads. The gold can be exchanged for resources.

In the Caravans scenario a new hex called the oasis is introduced. Three caravans start from the oasis and each player can vote on the direction of a caravan by using resources. You receive victory points when caravans cross your cities.

Barbarian Attack the scenario is similar to the Cities and Knights of Catan Expansion game, sort of an abbreviated version. Barbarians loot the edges of the island and knights are used to overcome them.

Traders and Barbarians has three hexes on the board than need certain commodities and players each have a wagon which he moves around the island to deliver these items from one hex to another. Roads have a great deal of strategic importance in this scenario, since they can speed up the progress of your wagon.

While not as cohesive as other Settlers of Catan Expansion Packs, the Traders and Barbarians Expansion Pack offers a lot of variety to the basic game and is a great way to spice it up. The various scenarios offer new ways to strategize and in particular, The Fisherman scenario offers an advantage to building cities and settlements along the coast which previously wasn't an advantage. This pack is a must have for fans of the Settlers of Catan. It will add a lot more interest and fun to your basic game experience.