Description
Catan: Explorers & Pirates is the fourth major expansion for
Catan and includes five scenarios, which differ in the three missions they include.Catan: Explorers & Pirates differs from the base game
Catan in three main ways. First, instead of the game having just one island on which players build and compete for resources, there are three islands – but the landscape of only one of them is known at the start of the game. Players start on this island, then build ships and bring settlers into play so they can travel to new territories. When a ship ends its movement next to unexplored territory, that hex is revealed and a randomly drawn number token is placed on it, and the player receives one resource as a reward – assuming the hex produces resources. (The number of unknown tiles ranges from 16 to 32, depending on the scenario.) A settler and a ship can be converted into a settlement, from which roads and new ships can be built, allowing further exploration of the new territory.Second, instead of cities, Catan: Explorers & Pirates lets players build harbour settlements for two grain and two ore, with a harbour settlement supplying only one resource when an adjacent number is rolled at the start of a turn. Like cities, harbour settlements are worth two victory points (VP), and the number of VP needed to win depends on the scenario.Third, if a player receives no resources during a production roll (except on a roll of 7), they receive one gold as compensation. Two gold can be exchanged with the bank for a resource of the player's choice. Gold also has other uses, such as helping to escape from pirates.The five scenarios included in Catan: Explorers & Pirates:• Land Ho! Explore the seas of Catan and discover two new islands to expand your settlements. Once you discover an island, you must use ships to carry settlers from one island to another and colonise distant lands. (Introductory scenario)• Pirate Lairs! In this scenario, pirates roam the seas alongside your merchant ships. Pay the pirates tribute or drive them away, then find and capture their lairs to earn gold and VP! (Single-mission scenario)• Fish for Catan! The inhabitants of Catan are short of food, so it's time to head out to sea and catch fish. These are deep-sea fish, so you must first find their shoals before you can catch them! The Council of Catan will reward players with VP for bringing fish back to the island and for capturing pirate lairs. Just watch out for the roaming pirates, as they will not only demand gold as tribute but could also get to the fish before you! (Two-mission scenario)• Spices for Catan! In this scenario, the Council of Catan wants you to find fish and spices for the inhabitants of Catan! As before, they reward the most diligent merchant captains with VP. To get spices, you will have to befriend the mysterious inhabitants of the Spice Island, and in return they will not only trade spices with you but also teach you their sailing knowledge or even techniques for fighting pirate ships! (Two-mission scenario)• Explorers & Pirates! This long and challenging scenario combines everything from the previous scenarios! Explore new lands, conquer pirate lairs, find fish and befriend the inhabitants of the Spice Island! (Three-mission scenario)
