The Settlers of Catan: The Great River

Catan GmbH, Mayfair Games · Board game · 2005
3–6 · best 3, 4 90 min Weight 1.9/5
rating Ludopedia
6.1 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
6.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you're a Catan fan looking for an extra strategic twist without drastically changing the game, this expansion is for you!

Highlights
  • Another way to score
  • Easy to integrate
  • Keeps the Catan spirit
  • Makes the board dynamic
Keep in mind
  • Increases victory goal
  • Requires base game
  • Can take longer
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey, Catan crew! Ready to spice up your games? Introducing The Great River, an expansion that brings a charming and opportunity-filled river to the island of Catan. This little gem adds a new tile with three hexes forming a river. The clever part is that anything you build along the banks of this river earns you gold points, and for every three gold points, you gain a victory point. It's a fresh and interesting way to expand your territory and accelerate your scoring, adding an extra layer of strategy without overcomplicating things.

This expansion was originally a surprise for fans, appearing as a special insert in Games Quarterly Magazine. Now, it's available for those who crave more Catan! The core rules of the base game remain the same, but heads up: to win, you'll need to accumulate two more victory points than usual. This means games might get a bit longer and more strategic, requiring you to plan your constructions near the river with extra care. If you enjoy Catan and want an extra dose of planning and a different way to score, The Great River is a cool addition to refresh your game sessions. It's classic Catan with a special twist!

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–6 players
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Game: Catan
Publisher Catan GmbH, Mayfair Games
Designer Guido Teuber, Klaus Teuber
Artist Tanja Donner

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base Catan game to play?
Yes, The Great River is an expansion and requires the base game The Settlers of Catan to be played.
How many players does this expansion support?
Just like the base game, this expansion is for 3 to 6 players.
Does it significantly increase the game's complexity?
No, the expansion adds a simple extra scoring rule, keeping the overall complexity very accessible, similar to the base game.
How much extra time does it add to a game?
Since the victory goal increases by two points, the game might take a bit longer, depending on how efficiently players utilize the river.
What exactly is the 'river'?
It's a special tile with three hexes that you add to the board. Settlements on the edges of this river yield gold points, which are worth victory points.
Is it worth it for someone who already has other expansions?
If you enjoy Catan and are looking for a different, straightforward way to add points, yes. It doesn't interfere with other expansions but adds its own unique dynamic.