# Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2011 - **BGG Rating**: 7.5 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 60-75 min - **Weight**: 2.27 / 5 - **Designers**: Klaus Teuber - **Artists**: Michael Menzel - **Publishers**: KOSMOS, 999 Games, Catan Studio, Filosofia Éditions, Mayfair Games - **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Territory Building - **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Trading ## Verdict If you already enjoy The Rivals for Catan and want more depth and variety in your duels, this expansion is a treat! It transforms the base game with three thematic modules that change every playthrough.Adds huge replayabilityThree thematic modulesNew strategiesMore interactionMore dynamic duelsRequires base gameIncreases complexityLanguage dependentRECOMMENDED ## Description Hey Catan fans! Ready to take your duels to the next level? The Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness is that 90-card expansion designed to supercharge your base game, bringing three thematic eras you can mix and match for unique experiences. It's like having three mini-expansions in one, each with its own flavor and challenges. First up, we have The Era of Intrigue, where the dispute is more than territorial—it's spiritual! Get ready to see new and old beliefs clash, with events like 'Religious Dispute' that might make you lose cards (but don't worry, Churches and Temples are there to minimize the damage!). Temple cards give you a boost in accessing your draw stacks, while Churches are great for luring opposing heroes and filling your coffers with gold. And if you're clever enough to build both a Church and a Temple, you can erect the Great Thingstead and end the conflict in style. Next, we dive into The Era of Merchant Princes. Here, the name of the game is commercial control. With key buildings like the 'Commercial Harbor' and the 'Merchant's Residences,' you'll fight to dominate the flow of goods in Catan. 'Maritime Trade Monopolies' and 'Master Merchants' cards will upgrade your ships, and 'The Shipbuilder' will reduce ship construction costs. The idea is to use clever card combinations to become the trade magnate. Finally, The Era of Barbarians throws you right into the action! It's time to bolster your defenses with Castles, Border Fortresses, the good old Strategist, the Caravel, and a host of new heroes. Your goal? Defend your holdings from both barbarian attacks from outside and your rival's efforts to dominate your properties. It's a true tug-of-war for survival and supremacy. Each era adds layers of strategy and replayability, ensuring every game is a new adventure! ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play The Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness? Yes, this is an expansion! You will need the original The Rivals for Catan to use all the cards and modules that come with Age of Darkness. ### How many players can play with this expansion? Like the base game, The Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness is exclusively designed for two players, maintaining the intimate and strategic duel experience. ### What is the average game duration with this expansion? Games typically last between 60 to 75 minutes. The expansion adds more layers of strategy but doesn't drastically extend the playtime. ### Is this expansion much more complex than the base game? It adds new rules and interactions, slightly increasing the complexity. But if you've mastered the base game, you'll pick it up quickly, as the modules are well-integrated. ### What are the main types of cards the expansion adds? The expansion brings new action cards, special buildings, heroes, and events, divided among the three thematic eras (Intrigue, Merchant Princes, and Barbarians), each focusing on different strategies. ### Is there any language dependency to play? Yes, there is moderate language dependency. The cards have text explaining their effects, so familiarity with English or having translated cards/reference sheets is helpful. ### Can I mix and match the era modules as I wish? Absolutely! The beauty of this expansion is that you can choose which of the three eras (or even more than one) you want to include in your game, creating different combinations and game experiences each time. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 12.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=152174&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 15.32 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=779758&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.24 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1020272&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.63 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664443&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1011525&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 20.88 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3438559&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.16 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664709&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 22.76 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6916397&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 23.31 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2192057&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 24.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723263&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/401/the-rivals-for-catan-age-of-darkness?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com