# Catan: Explorers & Pirates

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2013
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 90-120 min
- **Weight**: 2.83 / 5
- **Designers**: Klaus Teuber
- **Artists**: Andreas Klober, Andreas Resch, Eric Hibbeler, Harald Lieske, Michael Menzel, Quentin Regnes
- **Publishers**: KOSMOS, 999 Games, Albi, asmodee, Broadway Toys LTD, Catan Studio, Devir, Filosofia Éditions, Galakta, Giochi Uniti, GP Games, HaKubia, Hobby World, Igroljub, Kaissa Chess & Games, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi, Mayfair Games, Piatnik
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Exploration, Nautical, Negotiation, Pirates, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Modular Board, Network and Route Building, Trading

## Verdict
If you love Catan and crave more adventure, this expansion brings a sea of novelties with exploration and piracy!New islands and explorationEngaging pirate themeVaried scenarios and missionsExpands Catan gameplayRequires Catan base gameMore complex than baseDepends on chosen scenarioRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to set sail in Catan: Explorers & Pirates, the fourth major expansion that broadens the Catan universe with new adventures and challenges! If you thought you'd seen it all on the main island, prepare yourself, because now there are three islands to explore, and the best part: only one of them is known at the start. The fun lies in building ships, sending your settlers out to sea, and discovering new territories. Upon reaching an unexplored area, you reveal the hex, place a number token, and even get a bonus resource! Depending on the scenario, 16 to 32 hexes might be hidden. Transform your ships into port settlements (watch out, they cost grain and ore!) which are worth victory points, just like cities, and help determine the VP goal to win. To top it off, if luck isn't on your side during the production roll (and it's not a 7), you receive gold as compensation. This gold can be traded for resources or used to escape sneaky pirates. The expansion includes five scenarios, each with its unique missions and challenges: from initial exploration in 'Land Ho!', to dealing with pirates in 'Pirate Lairs', fishing in 'Fish for Catan', trading spices in 'Spices for Catan', to the full adventure in 'Explorers and Pirates'. It's Catan elevated to a new level of strategy and discovery!

## FAQ
### Do I need the base Catan game to play this expansion?
Yes, Catan: Explorers & Pirates is an expansion and requires the 'The Settlers of Catan' base game to be played.

### How many players can participate?
Just like the base game, this expansion is for 2 to 4 players.

### Does the game become much more complicated with this expansion?
It adds more layers of strategy and rules compared to the base game, especially with the more complex scenarios. It's a good step for those already familiar with basic Catan.

### How long does a game typically last?
Games usually take between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the chosen scenario and how familiar players are with the rules.

### What are the main new elements introduced?
The expansion introduces exploration of new islands, building of port settlements, ships for transport, and the threat/opportunity of pirates, as well as gold as a special resource.

### Is it worth it for players who prefer negotiation or exploration?
It offers both! Exploration is central, but the need for resources and interaction with other players (and pirates!) keeps negotiation relevant.