How to Play Catan: Traders & Barbarians

Objective of the Game

This scenario, "The Rivers of Catan," is for 3 to 4 players. The basic rules of Catan apply with additional rules and changes. Players are trying to build roads and settlements, especially along rivers, to gain gold. Gold can be exchanged for raw materials, but managing your gold is crucial as it can lead to special victory points or penalties. The game is played to 10 victory points.

Preparation (Setup)

1. Set up the board with the two river pieces (one with 3 tiles, one with 4) as shown in the manual.
2. Remove 2x Mountains, 2x Clay pits, 2x Grassland, and 1x desert from the standard tile set. Use the remaining land tiles to complete the island.
3. No payment chits are placed on the two marshland tiles.
4. The 2 token is put aside for the time being. The “A” token is used on any coastal landscape, which becomes the starting placement for the remaining payment tokens, placed in alphabetical order as in the basic game.
5. The 2 token “B” is skipped over. When all the number tokens are laid out and turned, the 2 token is placed on the same landscape where the 12 is. This landscape now generates resources every time a 2 or 12 is rolled.
6. Place the robber on either of the marshland tiles.
7. Place the gold near the board. Players start with no gold.
8. Each player takes the 3 bridges in their color.
9. The “Reichster Siedler” (Richest settler) and “Armer Siedler” (Poorest Settler) tokens are placed near the board.

Founding Phase

Each player places, as in the basic game, 2 settlements with 1 road each. There are the following additional rules:

• A road may not be built crossing a river (this rule applies throughout the game).
• For each road a player builds alongside a river tile, he receives 1 gold.
• For each settlement a player builds at a river crossing, he receives 1 gold.

The Richest Settler and Poor Settler tokens

Each player can start the game with up to 4 gold. After the founding phase, the player(s) who possess the least Gold receive a “Poor Settler” token. Important: All players who equal the least Gold or no gold receive a “Poor Settler” token each (minus 2 victory points).

The player who alone possesses the most Gold receives the “Richest settler” token. If there is a draw for the most gold, put the token aside for the time being.

Fluxo do Jogo

The basic rules apply with the following changes:

Additional Rules

Settlements and roads at the river

As in the founding phase, for each road built on a river tile and each settlement built at a river crossing, the player receives one gold. The upgrade of a settlement to a city does not generate any gold.

The bridge construction

A bridge costs 2 brick and 1 wood. A bridge must adjoin a road or settlement of the same color and can only be built on one of the seven bridge construction places. Building a bridge earns 3 gold. A bridge counts towards the longest trade route like a road. Each player can build only 3 bridges. A Bridge may not be built with the development card “Strassenbau” (Road Building).

Richest settler

This token counts one for one victory point. It is in the possession of the player who alone possesses the most gold. A player will lose the token if either another player gains an equal or greater amount of gold or if the player spends gold and then no longer has the most gold. If a player loses the token “richest settler”, the token is transferred to the player who alone possesses the most gold. If there is no such player, the token is set aside until a single player has the most gold.

Poor settler

At all times during the game, any player possessing the fewest gold must hold a “poor settler” token. The token is returned to supply when a player gets gold and thus no longer is part of the group with the fewest gold. The “poor settler” token reduces the victory points held by the player by two points.

The gold

Up to twice during a turn, a player may exchange 2 gold for any one raw material. Gold received in the same turn may be used. Gold can also be received by trading raw materials: Either in normal 4:1 bank exchange, by using ports, or by the trade with fellow players. Gold does not count as raw material and may not, therefore, be stolen when shifting the robber.

Ações e Como Jogar

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Fim de Jogo e Pontuação

Game end

The game is played to 10 victory points.

Scoring

• The “Richest settler” token counts one victory point.
• The “poor settler” token reduces the victory points held by the player by two points.
• A bridge counts towards the longest trade route like a road.

Dicas para Vencer

• Players struck with the “Poor Settler” token will find it hard to win the game.
• Gold, therefore, should only be exchanged for raw materials if sufficient building options are owned at the river with which gold can be recovered.