The Catan ÜberFAQ, version 1.0!
Paul Blake
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Settlers of Catan FAQ:
1.0 Table of contents
1.1 Information about this FAQ
1.2 What is “The Settlers of Catan”?
1.3 What is “Die Siedler von Catan”?
1.4 What is the difference?
1.5 What is the big deal?
1.6 What other Settlers games are there?
1.7 What other Die Siedler games are there?
1.8 Are there any Settlers/Siedler video games?
1.9 What other Settlers merchandise is there to purchase?
2.0 The Settlers of Catan/Die Siedler von Catan
2.1 What is included in the set?
2.2 Rules/General Questions for TSoC/SvC
2.3 What are some good strategies?
2.4 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
3.0 Seafarers/Seefahrer
3.1 What does it add to the game?
3.2 What is included in the set?
3.3 Rules/General Questions for Seafarers/Seefahrer
3.4 Scenarios Questions
3.5 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
4.0 Cities & Knights/Stadt und Ritter
4.1 What does it add to the game?
4.2 What is included in the set?
4.3 Rules/General Questions for Cities & Knights/Stadt und Ritter
4.4 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
5.0 Unofficial Board Game Expansions
6.0 The Card Game/Das Kartenspiel
6.1 What does it add to the game?
6.2 What is included in the set?
6.3 What are some of the differences?
6.4 Expansions for the Card Game/Das Kartenspiel
6.5 Any strategies for the basic game?
7.0 Das Buch
7.1 What does it add to the game?
7.2 What is included in the set?
7.3 Rules/General Questions for Das Buch/The Book
8.0 The Starfarers of Catan/Die Sternenfahrer von Catan
8.1 What does it add to the game?
8.2 What is included in the set?
8.3 What’s the difference?
8.4 Rules/General Questions for Starfarers/Sternenfahrer
8.5 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
9.0 Starship Catan/Sternenschiff Catan
9.1 About the Game
9.2 What is included in the set?
9.3 What’s the difference?
9.4 Rules/General Questions for Starship/Sternenschiff
10.0 Das Wasser des Lebens/The Water of Life
10.1 What does it add to the game?
10.2 What is included in the set?
10.3 Rules/General Questions for Wasser des Lebens/Water of Life
11.0 Communications in Catan
11.1 What does it add to the game?
11.2 What is included in the set?
11.3 Rules/General Questions for Communications
12.0 Historische Szenarien: Alexander Der Grosse & Cheops/Historical
Scenarios: Alexander the Great & Cheops
12.1 What does it add to the game?
12.2 What is included in the set?
13.0 Historische Szenarien: Troja & Die Große Mauer/Historical
Scenarios II: Troy & The Great Wall
13.1 What does it add to the game?
13.2 What is included in the set?
14.0 Die siedler von Nürnberg/The Settlers of Nurnberg
14.1 What does it add to the game?
14.2 What is included in the set?
15.0 PC Games (Freeware)
15.1 The Settlers of Catan/Die Siedler von Catan
15.2 NetSet
15.3 Java Settlers
15.4 Settlers SEUL Project
15.5 GnoCatan
16.0 Retail Video Games
16.1 Catan: Die Erste Insel
16.1.1 PSX Version
16.1.2 PC Version
16.2 Die Siedler von Catan: Das Kartenspiel
16.3 Die Sternenfahrer von Catan
16.4 Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!?
17.0 Translation
18.0 Revision History
19.0 Credits
1.1 Information about this FAQ
Currently, I am only aware of one other Settlers FAQ, and it defines
itself as a "mini-faq." The intended scope of this document will not
only include TSoC, but details regarding all of its decendants, and
history regarding its development. Shall we begin?
1.2 What is "The Settlers of Catan?"
"The Settlers of Catan" (TSoC) is a board game published by Mayfair
games, and designed by Klaus Teuber. It first appeared in the US in
1995, and has since gone through two later editions, each of which
made minor changes to the componants.
The game has players controlling groups of settlers on an island
called Catan. They begin with two settlements and roads, and must
obtain resources in order to build more. Resources are produced by
settlements, or can be obtained in trades. Trades can be made with
any of the other players, provided both parties involved agree to the
terms of the trade, or with the bank at a base ratio of 4:1 (Four of
one resource for one of any resource). This ratio can be improved
through the use of harbors. The ultimate goal of the game is to
achieve 10 victory points, which can be obtained through settlements,
cities, and development cards.
The board is constructed from 37 hexagonal cardboard tiles, to form a
small hexagonal island surrounded by water.
1.3 What is "Die Siedler von Catan?"
It cannot have escaped your notice that TSoC is a game unlike most
others. That is largely because it was originally a German game
published by a company called Kosmos Verlag. "Die Siedler von Catan"
is merely the German-language edition of TSoC.
1.4 What is the difference?
Gameplay-wise, the two are identical (Note: There is some disagreement
about this. It would probably be more accurate to say that they are
–nearly- identical. In a recent interview in Game Trade
magazine, however, Klaus Teuber stated that he was not aware of any
differences between the English and German rules). Aesthetically,
they differ signifigantly. This is due to the fact that, while
Mayfair obtained the rights to publish the game in English, they
neglected to obtain the rights to the original art, and were forced to
commission UK artist Stephen Walsh to produce new art, all of which
has a very colonial feel to it. This art is used on the packaging,
manuals, and all game componants.
Early Mayfair editions (1st and 2nd) also had differently sized gaming
hexes from the Kosmos edition, while the 3rd Mayfair edition had the
same sized hexes. All Mayfair editions have differently sized
resource cards from the Kosmos edition.
1st and 2nd editions also contained all of the 5&6 player components,
and had player pieces in different colors from the 3rd edition.
1.5 What's the big deal?
Primarily, the fact that the board is constructed from modular parts
generates a lot of appeal. This causes the game to be dynamically
different each time, as the resources are produced in new quantities.
Therefore, in one game, wood may be rare, but in the next game, wood
might be the junk resource.
The game also focuses on player interaction and cooperation, which is
a quality rarely seen in American board games.
Perhaps most important is the fact that it is extremely easy to learn,
and more strategic than most mainstream boardgames.
1.6 What other Settlers games are there?
There are two expansions for TSoC. They are "The Seafarers of Catan"
and "Cities and Knights of Catan." Both of these require the original
TSoC set to play. There is also a two player TSoC Card game, and five
themed expansions for it as well. More on these later.
The latest descendants of TSoC are "The Starfarers of Catan" and its
two-player card game, "Starship Catan." These will also be covered
later.
Also, since TSoC and its expansions can only accomodate three or four
players, there exists a "5-6 Player Expansion" for each of TSoC,
Seafarers, Cities & Knights, and Starfarers.
1.7 What other Die Siedler games are there?
All of the English Settler games & expansions have German-language
counterparts. Additionally, there are two "Historische Szenarien"
packs (Historical Scenarios): "Alexander der Grosse & Cheops"
(Alexander the Great & Cheops) and "Troja & Die Große Mauer" (Troy &
The Great Wall). These are not currently available in English, but
can be played with the Mayfair componants, and have little to no
language-dependent components themselves. English translations of the
rules are usually included, and are also available online at The Board
Game Geek (http://www.boardgamegeek.com)
The German cardgame has an Tournament expansion set, which contains
cards not found in the theme expansions.
There is also a promotional edition of Die Siedler entitled "Das
Wasser des Lebens" (The Water of Life). It is identical to
traditional Settlers, but has different art, and thematically takes
place in the Scottish Highlands. It should be pointed out that the
gameplay is in no way different from Die Siedler. It comes packaged
in a cylindrical tin of Glen Grant Whiskey, and even contains a small
sample of said whiskey.
There is a rather large and beautifully illustrated book entitled "Die
Siedler von Catan: Das Buch zum Spielen." It contains a number of
variants and scenarios, as well as cardboard componants required to
play them. Tragically, it is not available in English, nor is it
likely to ever be made so. Translations can be found of most of the
scenarios and variants online. Translations of some of the articles
on Catan may appear in this document in the future.
Lastly, there exists a special Die Siedler standalone game entitled
"Die Siedler von Nürnberg," (The Settlers of Nürnberg) which
commemorates the 950th anniversary of the city of Nürnberg receiving
its town charter.
1.8 Are there any Settlers/Siedler video games?
Yes, rather a lot of them actually. Matthew Gardner created Netset,
an online multiplayer version of TSoC. From his website
(http://home.earthlink.net/~mgardner0/):
"NetSet, or Network Settlers, is the name of a Windows 95/98 computer
game based on Klaus Teuber's boardgame Settlers of Catan. Settlers of
Catan was the 1995 German Game of the Year and can be purchased from
Mayfair Games. NetSet provides an interface for Settlers players
everywhere to play against opponents via the internet using a TCP/IP
connection. NetSet is freeware, fully available to anyone who wants it
at no cost. However, NetSet is not intended to replace the boardgame.
It is merely a tool to provide current owners of Mayfair's boardgame
access to a broader range of opponents. Settlers of Catan is a very
entertaining, very affordable boardgame and I encourage you to
purchase a copy before playing NetSet."
Netset is free to download, and requires an internet connection to
play.
There is another, single player pc version of TSoC, which is avialable
in both English and German. It is freeware, and Travis Emmet
maintains an archive with both versions at
(http://txe.swa.com/games/catan.htm).
German gamers can enjoy a decidedly prettier computerized version
thanks to Ravensburger, who has published "Die Siedler von Catan: Die
Erste Insel" (The First Island), which is available on PC-CDROM and
Sony Playstation. Sadly, it is entirely in German and no translation
is planned.
Ravensburger also has recently published a PC version of "Die
Sternenfahrer" (The Starfarers). German exclusive, I'm afraid.
Lastly, TriNodE Entertainment has created a PC version of the ever
popular Siedler cardgame. It features all the theme expansion cards,
the tournament expansion, 1 player vs. computer, and 2 players via
internet. Again, it is only available in German, and no translation
is planned.
The author of this text would appreciate temporary donation of any of
these computer versions with the intent of translating them himself.
Really, all the translation has already been done, it's just figuring
out how to insert it into the computer games. See the Translating
section below.
There is also a series of computer games –called- “The
Settlers” which has absolutely no relationship to any Catan
product. Do not confuse it with a Catan game in any way.
1.9 What other Settlers merchandise is there to purchase?
Mayfair has made available two t-shirts, which can be purchased from
(http://www.mayfairgames.com). Kosmos has created a set of Alien
Races figurines for use with "Die Sternenfahrer" (The Starfarers) in
place of some of the cardboard componants. They look rather nice,
actually.
2.0 The Settlers of Catan/Die Siedler Von Catan
2.1 What is included in the set?
(From the Almanac)Each game includes the following components:
--37 Hexagonal terrain tiles:
4 Forest
4 Pasture
4 Fields
3 Hills
3 Mountains
18 Ocean (9 with, and 9 without harbors)
1 Desert
--95 Resource cards, including:
19 Lumber (from forest)
19 Wool (from pasture)
19 Grain (from fields)
19 Bricks (from hills)
19 Ore (from mountains)
--25 Development Cards:
14 Soldiers
6 Progress
5 Victory Points
--4 Building Cost Cards
--2 Special Cards:
Longest Road
Largest Army
--Playing pieces in 4 colors
16 Cities (churches)
20 Settlements (houses)
60 Roads (bars)
--18 Number markers (tokens)
--1 Robber piece (black)
--1 Game Rules
--1 Settlers' Almanac
--1 Starting Setup Sheet (with Game Overview)
--2 Dice
2.2 Rules/General Questions for TSoC/SvC
How many different ways can the board be set up?
4,001,483,566,080,000 or somewhere thereabouts. Good variety. Let's
see, if you could play one game every half hour, that would take you
about 228,395,180,712 years to go through all the combinations. And
each combination makes for a completely different game.
-Why doesn't my Settlers set have any ore or wood? Why do I have tons
of sheep and wheat? Why is there only one brick?
There was a collation error on some 3rd edition boxes. Mayfair refers
to this as "The Mad Sheepherders of Catan." Just contact Mayfair at
(847) 677-6655 between 9am and 1pm CST and let them know. They'll
send you replacement cards forthwith.
It might be interesting to try playing the game with just the extra
sheep, wheat, and only one brick. You'd pretty much have to make a
run for the sheep harbor, and spend them 2:1 as another resource.
That brick would be valuable, though.
-The rules say I should have five settlements per player, but my set
has six for everyone but orange. What gives? I've also got extra
roads!
This is, again, a collation error. Just have each player (except
orange) set aside one settlement before play begins.
-What do the dots on the numbered chips mean?
The dots represent the number of times out of 36 rolls the dice
-should- roll that number. Note that this is based on probability and
statistics, and the thing about random numbers is that they're random.
-What do the red numbers mean?
Six and eight are the second most likely rolls on two 6-sided dice
(Seven being most likely). Try to be near red numbers when you can.
-If I have a road leading to an opponant's settlement, can I build
past his settlement?
No, his settlement blocks your progress from that point.
-Can I build a settlement in the middle of someone else's road?
Yes, and this is a good way to steal the Longest Road card from them.
-If I tie someone for longest road or largest army, what happens?
According to the Almanac, when a tie occurs, the card leaves play. It
only returns when one player has a longer road or a larger army.
-Can I leave the Robber where he is when I roll 7 or play a soldier
card?
No, he has to move to another hex.
-Can I move the Robber back to the desert?
No. That's just where he starts from.
-Can I upgrade a settlement to a city the same turn I build it?
Under the original rules, there is nothing to specifically say that
you can't, provided you can pay the cost (a brick, a wool, a wood,
three grain, and three ore. You'd better pray no one rolls 7.) The
Mind Sports Olympiad in London, England ruled for their competition
that you may, but only if you have the settlement to build in the
first place. In other words, if you already have 5 settlements, you
have to upgrade one of them first.
-Can I play a development card before I roll the dice?
No. Dice roll first, before -anything else-. The only exception to
this is the Alchemist card in Cities & Knights.
-Do the ports have to be oriented in specific directions?
Yes, for one reason: It gives each edge hex exactly two possible
ports. Change the orientation, and you emphasize a particular hex
over others. Note that a port only affects the two intersections
indicated by the dotted lines. Also note that every coastal hex has
two port spots.
-Is giving away cards in exchange for nothing allowed?
Note that this doesn't meet the textbook definition of "trade." Trade
is giving something in exchange for something else. The almanac
states that you may trade your resources for other resources you need.
Trading something for nothing doesn't meet this definition either.
However, I suppose you could trade, say, two wheat for a wheat.
-I hear some players play with their resource cards face-up. What are
some good and bad points to this?
Good: Everyone knows what everyone else has for the purposes of
trading.
Bad: See good. See, in TSoC, part of the game is remembering who got
what, and whether they've lost it yet. Sometimes, you'll play a
Monopoly card and get nothing, just because no one has what you
called, and you didn't pay attention. Strictly speaking, until they
actually agree to a trade, a player is not obligated to tell you
anything about his or her hand except how many cards there are in it.
2.3 What are some good strategies?
There are lots of great strategies, some of which Mark Jackson has
compiled at his Game Central Station page
(http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Metro/5303/). Here are some
which have worked particularly well for me:
First, placement can make or break a game. Check the board for a
concentration of 6's and 8's close to each other, or failing that, 5's
and 9's. Also, check for a high producing hex next to it's
corresponding harbor. Another thing to keep in mind is that at the
beginning of the game you will need wood and brick. Since you get
your starting resources from your second settlement, try to keep an
eye open for a wood hex next to a brick hex, regardless of their
numbers.
Getting good numbers is helpful, but sometimes it's better to get a
good spread of numbers. If it's possible for you to start with one of
each type hex -with a different number-, go for it. Your opponents
will all be going for the better numbers and you'll be raking in
resources regardless of what the dice roll.
Development cards are always good, but not necessarily better than
something else. The object of the game is to get 10 points, so take
them wherever you can. Try to remember which development cards have
been played, and see who's holding onto a possible point card. Always
remember that there are only 5 point cards in the development card
stack.
If someone is significantly ahead, don't trade with them unless you
can also steal back from them this turn.
Try to build a second settlement early, regardless of where it is.
You'll need it.
The robber may be annoying, but he can be your best friend, especially
with knights. Don't hesitate to use him to get your resources, but
try not to hoard. Nothing's more pathetic than someone with a hand
full of stuff reduced to 4 cards.
Don't use 4:1 trades just to get rid of cards. See what you can get
from other players first.
Spend the rarest resource of the game (whatever it is) before anyone
can steal it from you.
While you may accept trades of 1:1 from your opponants, push for 1:2.
Sometimes they give in.
When building long roads, try to strategically place them so that
other players can't interrupt them. Settlements have to be two edges
away from each other, and you can use that to your advantage.
2.4 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
This section under construction.
3.0 Seafarers/Seefahrer
3.1 What does it add to the game?
Seafarers transformers Settlers from a random-setup game into a game
with dozens of scenarios, special victory conditions, and new ways to
earn points. Essentially, it taks Settlers and turns it into a game
system, off of which any number of scenarios can be based, even vastly
changing the basic gameplay.
The expansion also introduces the concept of leaving the island and
settling new areas overseas.
A little history: When Klaus Teuber originally pitched his
civilization-building game to Kosmos, it included Seafarers as part of
the basic set. Kosmos decided due to both cost (making such a huge
set as the initial buy-in product would be prohibitively expensive)
and complexity (too much going on for people to keep track of) to
scale it down to just what is found in the basic set. After fans
began demanding something a bit more complex, Kosmos decided to
release Seafarers.
3.2 What is included in the set?
(From the rulebook)
The Seafarers of Catan game expansion includes the following items:
--14 edge pieces
--24 hexagon pieces (tiles):
12 water hexes
2 gold field hexes
3 desert hexes
1 farmland hex
1 forest hex
1 pasture hex
2 mountain hexes
2 hill hexes
--8 victory point tokens
--10 numbered tokens (numbered and lettered on one side)
--1 counter sheet containing 12 harbor tokens
--60 wooden ships in 4 colors
3.3 Rules/General Questions for Seafarers/Seefahrer
- What good are the ships?
Well, for a start, they put wool to good use, instead of making it a
junk resource. Secondly, they count as a road for the purposes of
Longest Road. Lastly, you can move them.
- Can I build a ship on land?
No. Each ship must be touching at least one ocean hex. You could
build a ship on the coast, however.
- What can I build with gold?
Gold is not a normal resource. When the gold hex produces, you get a
resource of your choice. This is not a wildcard resource that you can
declare to be anything later on in the game: If you want an ore, you
take an ore, and that ore is always an ore until you get rid of it.
- What's with these puzzle pieces?
They can be assembled to form a frame for the hexes to be placed in.
The pictures in the rulebook show where the pieces fit together,
letter for letter.
- Can I move ships to form a new branch off an existing trade route?
Yes. When you move a ship, treat it as though you have just built the
ship, and place it at any legal placement.
3.4 Scenarios Questions
- What other scenarios are there?
A whole lot, and more than I intend to cover in this document. Many
of them can be found on Mayfair's page, and most of those come from
Das Buch. Another good source is Mark Jackson's Game Central Station
page (http://www.geocities.com/scareyjo/), which features detailed
information on Catan as well as other German board & card games. If
you're fortunate enough to speak German, there are some excellent
sites with many scenarios for all the Catan games at
(http://www.siedeln.de) and (http://www.catanien.de). Last but not
least, Kosmos’s official site (http://www.die-siedler.com)
features a newsletter which periodically lists new
“official” scenarios. Good luck finding it.
- What if I have an idea for a scenario?
Write up the rules carefully and thoroughly. Try to use good grammar.
Test them out as much as you can. Email them to Mayfair. Post them
to rec.games.board. Photocopy them and nail them to phone poles in
your hometown (or someone else's hometown, for that matter).
Try to be sure that your idea is something no one else is doing in
another scenario. Also, try not to introduce so many new elements
that you have essentially grafted a mediocre game onto Settlers. This
will just make both parts look bad.
3.5 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
This section under construction. Someone want to help?
4.0 Cities & Knights/Stadt und Ritter
4.1 What does it add to the game?
Cities & Knights is almost the exact opposite of Seafarers: While
Seafarers expands the scope of Settlers to a near global scale, Cities
and Knights brings the small details into sharp focus. The game
centers around developing your cities with individual buildings within
them. Some of these buildings give you special benefits. It also
introduces trade commodities, not to be confused with resources.
These include coinage, paper, and cloth, which are produced by a city
on a mountain, forest, or pasture hex, respectively. These
commodities may be traded as normal, but each one helps you develop
one aspect of your city.
The other half of the game centers around your Knights, which replace
Soldiers from Settlers. Knights are now tokens which chase away the
thief, combat other Knights, and help defend the island from invading
barbarians.
Some history: After the release of the card game (see XX), many
players tried (with varying degrees of failure) to mix the card game
with the board game. Cities and Knights was released with the
intention of implementing the elements from the Card Game that
everyone wanted to see in the board game, as well as several new
ideas.
4.2 What is included in the set?
(From the rulebook)
--1 Double-hex tile with movement squares for the Barbarian Fleet
--3 Cardboard sheets with Edge Pieces
--36 Commodity cards, including:
12 Paper (from forest)
12 Cloth (from pasture)
12 Coins (from mountains)
--54 Progress Cards:
18 Science progress cards
18 Politics progress cards
18 Trade progress cards
--6 "Defender of Catan" Victory Point Cards
--4 City Calenders
--Playing pieces in 4 colors:
12 City walls (square wooden tokens; 3 of each color)
24 Knights (round wooden tokens; 6 of each color)
--3 Metropolis Pieces (Golden City Gates)
--2 Sheets of Knight Labels
--1 Barbarian Ship
--1 Merchant (wooden cone)
--1 Game Rules
--1 Cities and Knights Almanac
--2 Game Overviews (on back of the Rules and Almanac)
--1 Red die
--1 Event die (with 3 ships and 3 city gate symbols)
4.3 Rules/General Questions for Cities & Knights/Stadt und Ritter
- What good are the Knights?
The Knights come in three strengths: Basic, Strong, and Mighty. Each
starts out as a basic knight, and may be upgraded later. Knights
start inactive, and must be fed in order to be activated. When
active, a knight may be moved along the length of a player's road to
chase away the thief, attack a knight of lesser strength, or defend
the island if it is being attacked.
It has been noted by more than a few people that the German edition
knights are far more aesthetically pleasing, not to mention legible.
- What good are the City developments?
They enable you to obtain improvement cards, which take the place of
Settlers' development cards. Each card color focuses on a particular
facet of your city's development.
- The rules say that City Walls protect that player from the robber.
Does that mean that a player with a city wall can't be robbed?
City walls only serve the function of increasing your legal hand size
by two cards. Ordinarily, you must discard half your hand if you have
more than 7 cards, and someone rolls a 7. With one city wall, you may
have up to 9 cards, with two city walls, 11 cards, etc. City walls
have no other effect on the game.
- If two players win at the same time, what breaks the tie?
It currently eludes me as to how such a situation could occur: If a
player obtains a VP during as a result of the event die, that takes
place before anything else during the turn. Since politics and
science each have only one VP card, there doesn't seem to be any way
for two players to get a victory point at the same time. Similarly,
the Defender of Catan card goes to the single player who contributed
the most force to a victory against the Barbarians, so again, only one
player can get that point at a time. Has this happened to someone
before? If so, how?
- When playing a Commercial Harbor, do I get to choose another
commodity if my first choice is unavailable?
No. Just like the Monopoly card in TSoC, if they don't have it, you
wasted the card. You don't have to give them the resource in
exchange, however.
- Why do my German friends say that the victim gets to choose the
commodity when a Commercial Harbor is played?
Heaven knows. I'd have to see the original German text. It should be
noted that Mayfair has been known to take some liberties with the
rules from time to time.
- If a tie for longest road is created because of the Diplomat, who
gets it?
Neither player. Any time a tie for longest road or largest army
occurs, the point card is set aside until one player has more points.
- Can I play a Crane for my first flip, reducing the cost to zero?
This is legal, although difficult to achieve.
- Can I play multiple Cranes on the same turn for cumulative effects?
Again, this is perfectly legal, although next to impossible to have
happen. There are only 2 cranes in a 3-4 player game.
- Can I play multiple Medicines on the same turn for cumulative
effects?
See the previous question.
4.4 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
This section under construction.
5.0 Unofficial Board Game Expansions
Currently, there are three such expansions of which I am aware. These
are “The Explorers of Catan,” “Combat &
Politics,” and “Random Events & Mercenaries”. All
three of these expansions are made and sold by one man on Ebay. This
has been met with mixed reactions, but the prevailing opinion is that
he does not have a legal right to do this. The primary objection
stems from the fact that he does not mention that these are
unauthorized expansions, not in any way endorsed by Kosmos or Mayfair.
Each of the expansions (with the exception of Random Events, which
sells for $9.99) sells for $12.00 plus shipping.
I will add details for these expansions if someone lets me know
anything about them. Or gives them to me.
6.0 The Card Game/Das Kartenspiel
6.1 What does it add to the game?
It is a standalone game. Gamers were wanting a more portable version
of Settlers which could be played with only two players, and thus the
card game was born. It mixes elements from Setters, Seafarers, and
Cities and Knights in sort of grand-tour of Catan. It doesn't play
one minute faster than the Catan boardgames, though.
Some history: It is well known that TSoC does not play well with 2
players, regardless of what variant rules you use. It is also well
known by gamers that sometimes you only have 2 players. Thus, the
Card Game was born.
Okay, there’s probably more to it than that. After all, many
German board games have card game counterparts. Card games are more
portable, cheaper to produce, and easily customizable.
6.2 What is included in the set?
(From the Rulebook)
--120 cards
--1 Production Die
--1 Event Die
--1 Knight token
--1 Windmill token
6.3 What are some of the differences?
The card game eliminates the crowded living conditions of TSoC.
Without a board, there are no spacing restrictions, and no races to
particular hexes. There is also no reward for building lots of roads,
and roads are included as merely something you have to build before
you build a settlement. Some of the building costs are different as
well.
There is only one numerical die, along with an "event" die. This
event die determines certain random events, most of which result in
someone getting an extra resource of their choice. Players can no
longer purchase development cards, but do have a hand of 3 cards which
can be expanded. Some of these cards are actions against the other
player, but most are things to build and improve your principality.
There are two special victory points to be obtained: One for the
player with the most commerce, and one for the player with the
strongest knights.
The card game mixes many elements from traditional TSoC, Seafarers,
and Cities & Knights, as well as a few new concepts. It is still a
Catan game, but it is its own creature, independent from all the other
games.
6.4 Expansions for the Card Game
There are several such expansions.
In Germany, there exists a Tournament Set which contains 60 new cards
from which players construct custom decks to compete against each
other. It also includes a plastic flagpole for scorekeeping, as well
as several blank cards for customized designs, and a sheet of stickers
to aid in card design.
Additionally, there are 5 theme sets. They are "Handel & Wandel"
(Trade & Change), "Politik & Intrige" (Politics & Intrigue), "Ritter &
Händler" (Knights & Merchants), "Wissenschaft & Fortschritt" (Science
& Progress), and "Zauberer & Drachen" (Wizards & Dragons). In
Germany, these expansions are available individually, whereas in
America, they are sold all in one package.
- Knights & Merchants/Ritter & Händler
This set contains cards which focus mostly on the Knights and Commerce
points. It forces players to play far more aggressively, and
ownership of the Knight and Windmill tokens will constantly change.
Most of the cards in this set were previously released in the
Tournament Set.
- Science & Progress/Wissenschaft & Fortschritt
This set contains cards which focus mostly on city improvements, as
well as Scientific advances which aid you in your quest for more
victory points. While Knights & Merchants focuses on disrupting your
opponent, this set focuses on aiding you. Most of the cards in this
set were previously released in the Tournament set.
Special note: If you own both “Knights & Merchants” and
“Science and Progress”, then you own all the cards in the
Tournament set.
- Trade & Change/Handel & Wandel
This set contains cards which focus mostly on obtaining commerce
points and improving resource production. All the cards from this set
were fan submitted, and were published as part of a contest held by
Kosmos.
- Politics & Intrigue/Politik & Intrige
This set contains cards which focus mostly on the Town Hall and Church
cards from the basic set. Almost half of the cards in this set are
action cards, and most of them require one of the aforementioned
buildings. Like Trade & Change, all of the cards in this set were fan
submitted and published in a contest.
- Wizards & Dragons/Zauberer & Drachen
This set contains cards which focus mostly on each other. That is to
say, they introduce the concept of magic, and almost all the cards in
this set use magic. Again, all of these cards were designed by fans
and published in a contest.
- Homemade Sets
There are, additionally, several theme sets available online in both
German and English. These are free to download and print, and are
completely unofficial. Neither Kosmos Verlag, nor Klaus Teuber, nor
Mayfair games is in any way associated with these expansions. They
are available at (http://www.das-leinhaus.de/), and were made by
Stephen Leinhäuser, Thomas Schmidt-Uhlig, Michael Kirmes, Andreas
Hett, Stefan Strohschneider, Patrick Grawehr, Marc Schulz, Manfred
Weyer, Amo Beckmann, and the Ditt Family. The ones currently
available in English and German are “Krieg & Frieden” (War
& Peace), “Schurken & Schurgen” (Scoundrels & Myrmidons)
and “Länger & Breiter” (Longer & Broader). L&B requires
modification of additional cards from the basic set.
The sets available only in German are “Reichtum &
Wohlstand” (Wealth & Prosperity), “Wind & Wetter”
(Wind & Weather), “Seefahrer & Kolonien” (Seafarers &
Colonists), “Kunst & Musik” (Art & Music), “Bieten
& Bangen” (Offer & Auction?), “Meere & Wunder” (Seas
& Miracles), “Aufstieg & Fall Catans” (The Rise & Fall of
Catan) “Bischöfe & Fürsten” (Bishops &
Sovereigns/Princes/Royals?), “Handwerk & Gewerbe” (Craft &
Business), “Zplus” (Short for Zauberwesen Plus, German for
Wizards), and “Drachen & Zauberwesen” (Dragons & Wizards).
Each of these sets features original artwork, and is astonishingly
well done for a fanmade set. Kosmos would be well advised to publish
them.
6.5 Any strategies for the basic game?
The object is to get 12 VP. Always remember that. Try to get at
least one more settlement early on, then work on getting the VP tokens
with strong knights and commerce points. If you have both, you should
be raking in the resources, and not really have any problems getting
what you need. Start the game with a barracks in your hand to build
later. You'll need it.
7.0 Das Buch/The Book
7.1 What does it add to the game?
Loads. Before buying it, though, you should have TSoC, Seafarers, and
probably the 5&6 player expansions for both. The book lists dozens of
scenarios with strange and unique victory conditions and gameplay
changes. One of my favorites is called Westw,rts (Westwards), and
takes place in the United States of America. Players build railways
across the country and compete for the fastest train. There are also
minor variants in the back of the book, beautiful illustrations of
early Kartenspiel cards, a picture of the prototype "Die Siedler" set,
a forward with Klaus Teuber, strategies for the card game, and
puzzles. Most impressively, it comes packaged with a box of cardboard
componants for the various scenarios.
The book also covers the history and development of the game, and just
oodles of strategies. Regrettably, it is entirely in German with no
formal translation planned at this time.
7.2 What is included in the set?
--2 Island Cards for "Transport Settlers"
--2 Ship Cards for "Transport Settlers"
--2 Overview cards for "The Colonies"
--3 Building Cost Cards for "Westwards"
--7 River tiles for "Westwards"
--5 Fort tiles for "Westwards"
--5 Pioneer tokens for "Westwards"
--1 Indian token for "Westwards"
--3 Name tokens for "Transport Settlers"
--9 Ship tokens for "Transport Settlers"
--20 Gold chips for "The Colonies"
--20 Ore chips for "The Colonies"
--26 Discovery chips for "The Colonies"
--20 Gemstone chips for "The Colonies"
--1 Large VP chip for "The Treasure Hunters"
--2 Spring Tide chips for various scenarios
--3 Volcano hexes for various scenarios
--3 Jungle hexes for various scenarios
--10 Payment tokens for "The Bermuda Triangle"
--30 Red chips for various scenarios
--6 VP chips for "The Treasure Hunters"
--8 Robber chips for "The Treasure Hunters"
--8 Discovery Card chips for "The Treasure Hunters"
--8 Gold Chips for "The Treasure Hunters"
--18 Dike tokens for "The Storm Flood"
--6 Specialist cards for "The Specialists"
--15 Numbered chips for various scenarios
--12 Discovery chips for "The Desert Riders"
--28 Desert Rider chips for "The Desert Riders"
--1 Special VP Card for "Catan Express"
--1 Storm marker for "The World of Catan"
--16 VP chips for various scenarios
--36 Water Tank chips for "Catan Express"
--1 Dragon tile for "The Dragon Slayers"
--6 Balloon tiles for "Balloonfarers"
--6 Factory tiles for various scenarios
--1 Magic hex for various scenarios
--100 Storm Flood chips for "Atlantis"
--6 Castle tokens for "The Castle of Catan"
--1 Wind-direction marker for various scenarios
--6 Locomotive tokens for "Catan Express"
--1 Book
More stuff than any other Catan product.
7.3 Rules/General Questions for Das Buch
- Why does "Westwärts" claim to only require the basic game and
Seafarers, when it has an extra pasture hex?
This is, in fact, a misprint. The scenario actually requires at least
one of the 5-6 player expansions for either set (Although you could
just as easily use one of the odd spare hexes from "Das Buch" in its
place.)
- Where can I find translations of "Das Buch?"
Most of the individual scenarios are translated online, at The Board
Game Geek (http://www.boardgamegeek.com). A few of the ones not found
there can be found at The Gaming Dumpster (http://www.sacredchao.cc).
Owners of "Das Buch" may find more complete translations occasionally
on rec.games.board, but be warned: Others do not take kindly to
freeloaders, so you'd better actually own the book before requesting
anything.
8.0 Starfarers of Catan/Sternenfahrer von Catan
8.1 What does it add to the game?
Starfarers is a standalone game based in the distant future with the
people of Catan having achieved intergalactic travel. On their first
voyage out, they stumble across not one, not two, but five different
alien races who befriend them. Players are once again in charge of
groups of Cataners, building colonies, trading outposts, ships, and
spaceports from which to launch them.
8.2 What is included in the set?
--12 Spaceport Rings (3 each of red, yellow, green, blue)
--12 Transport Ships (3 each of red, yellow, green, blue)
--36 Colonies (9 each of red, yellow, green, blue)
--28 Trading Outposts (7 each of red, yellow, green, blue)
--4 VP markers (1 each of red, yellow, green, blue)
--4 Alien Race Friendship Chips
--38 Resource Production Chips
--100 Resource Cards (20 each of Ore, Carbon, Fuel, Food, and Trade
Goods)
--32 Encounter Cards
--20 Friendship Cards (5 each of Merchant, Scientist, Diplomat, and
Green Folk)
--24 Boosters
--24 Cannons
--20 Freight Rings
--41 Fame Rings
--2 Dice
--4 Mother Ships
--4 Building Cost/Turn Overview cards
--1 Game Board
--Rules
8.3 What's the difference?
Most noticably, Starfarers uses a preset game board. The board also
has a built in scoring track, so players no longer have to count up
where everyone stands in the game. The only thing that really changes
in setup is the placement of the production number tokens. Players
all start at one end of the board with two colonies, a spaceport, and
a colony ship each. They must use their colony ship to explore the
other planetary systems, deciding whether or not to set up a colony
when the opportunity presents itself. The numbered tokens are
color-coded on their backs: Yellow tokens are generally good numbers,
Blue are generally lousy, Red are generally -not- numbers at all, and
White (which replaces red) are moderate numbers. The red tokens are
usually Pirate Lairs which must be blasted away with a certain number
of cannons, or Ice Planets which must be terraformed with a certain
number of freight rings.
Cannons? Freight Rings? Well, yes. Each player is also supplied
with a giant mother ship, which does not go on the board. This mother
ship does a lot within the game. It can be improved with more
boosters so that your ships go further, more cannons for improved
combat, and more freight rings in order to set up trade with alien
races. The mother ship also holds your fame rings, which you earn
through random encounter cards. Lastly, your mother ship is a sort of
dice in itself: Inside the mother ship are four colored balls. Many
situations will call for you to "roll your ship," which basically
means, turn it upside down, shake it, and turn it right side up. Two
balls will come out into the clear part at the bottom, and you add
their values together for whatever purpose you were rolling your ship.
When rolling for movement, a black ball gives you an encounter card,
which could be a merchant wanting resources, a pirate trying to attack
you, or a traveller willing to do strange and amazing things for you.
Then again, it could be a Pirate pretending to be a merchant. (Harr.
We are merchants. Ignore the parrot.)
Also, when you build a colony or a trade outpost, it does not
immediately take effect: Instead it starts as a ship which must be
navigated to whatever location you intend. To turn it into a colony
or trade outpost, simply remove the ship part of the token.
The trade ratios with the bank are easier too: 3:1 instead of 4:1 for
TSoC. There is an exception to this rule, that being the Trade Goods
resource which has a 2:1 ratio for bank trade.
Trade outposts are used for establishing contact with one of the four
alien races on the board. Whoever has the most contact with an alien
race gets 2 VP, and if there is a tie, the 2 VP goes to whichever one
they knew longer. Contact with the alien races also nets a player
special powers, like the ability to steal from anyone who is ahead of
them in points, improved trade ratios, doubled production, and other
wonderful things.
There has been a bit of complaining that Starfarers is a little too
gimmicky, the most popular example of this being the mother ships. I
personally have mixed feelings on the matter. I've designed a few
games myself, and I try to keep them as streamlined as possible, for
two reasons: The hobby level gaming market appeals to me partly
because of the cost levels, as opposed to the video game price levels.
A game with inexpensive componants is, itself, inexpensive.
Secondly, having too many componants often just seems like sloppy
design to me, making games overly complex and inefficient. However,
that isn't quite the case here. The mother ships really contribute to
the feel of the game, making it more visually obvious where you stand
with your upgrades than could have easily been done with cards. Is
the game worth the $60 MSRP? Well, no, probably not. But it is worth
the $50 or so you can get it for from discount stores online.
Personally, I feel it verges on too many componants for a board game,
and much more appropriate as a PC game. More on this in the PC
section.
8.4 Rules/General Questions for Starfarers/Sternenfahrer
This section is under construction.
8.5 What is included in the 5-6 player expansion?
This section is under construction.
9.0 Starship Catan/Sternenschiff Catan
9.1 About the game
This is a two player card version of Starfarers.
9.2 What is included in the set?
(From the Rulebook)
--70 Sector Cards
--12 Adventure Cards
--18 Module Cards
--2 Game Boards (Starships)
--1 Blue Die (1,2,2,3,3,4)
--1 Yellow Die (1,1,2,2,3,3)
--18 Coins (Astro, each valued "1")
--14 Coins (Astro, each valued "5")
--6 Cannons
--6 Boosters
--4 Colony Ships
--4 Trade Ships
--10 Resource Markers
--2 Science Markers
--2 Special Victory Point Cards
9.3 What's the difference?
Lots of things. Starship adds Astros, which act as currency in the
Catanian universe. The focus of the game is more on finding where to
buy cheap and sell high, rather than simply collecting resources. The
mother ship is still present as a huge cardboard monstrosity, replete
with boosters and cannons. Modules within the mother ships are added,
and give players special powers, like the ability to buy a resource
from your opponent - an offer he can't refuse. There are two special
VP cards: One for the most famous player, and one for the friendliest
player. Also, the alien races will send you on several adventures for
special prizes. You must find each of the four adventure planets in
order to complete these tasks.
Also added is the element of science points, which are required for
upgrading boosters and cannons, fulfilling some of the various
adventures, and selling.
9.4 Rules/General Questions for Starship/Sternenschiff
- Is Science a Resource?
No. They even went so far as to have it have a different color
marker. Science is not a resource, and is unaffected by anything
which affects resources, including the logistics module. That means
your limit on science points is –always- 4.
10.0 Das Wasser des Lebens/The Water of Life
10.1 What does it add to the game?
Nothing at all. It is merely a promotional repackaging of Die Siedler
for Glen Grant Whiskey. All the components have artwork to reflect a
Scottish Highland theme, but are present in the same quantities as
regular Siedler. It does come in an attractive tin, and includes a
small sample of Glen Grant Whiskey.
10.2 What is included in the set?
This section under construction.
10.3 Rules/General Questions for Das Wasser des Lebens/The Water of
Life
- How good is the Whiskey?
Don't ask me. I'm a teetotaler.
11.0 Communications in Catan
11.1 What does it add to the game?
Again, nothing. This was an odd little promotional edition of the
basic board game with a communications theme slapped on. Curiously,
while “Das Wasser” was the prettiest of all editions,
“Communication” is the ugliest. It is also the worst
translation.
11.2 What is included in the set?
This section under construction.
11.3 Rules/General Questions for Communications
12.0 Historische Szenarien: Alexander Der Grosse & Cheops/Historical
Scenarios: Alexander the Great & Cheops
12.1 What does it add to the game?
A coherent storyline, for a start. The set is actually two games in
one, each with dramatically different styles. Alexander the Great
casts players as advisors to the world famous conqueror, providing him
with needed supplies in order to gain favor or settlements. Most of
the game centers around bidding in an auction in order to get a
strategically advantageous position.
Cheops casts players as the Pharaoh's advisors, allotting resources to
build the pyramid and expand his principality.
12.2 What is included in the set?
This section is under construction.
13.0 Historische Szenarien II: Troja & Die Große Mauer/Historical
Scenarios II: Troy & The Great Wall
13.1 What does it add to the game?
This section is under construction.
13.2 What is included in the set?
This section is under construction.
14.0 Die Siedler von Nürnberg/The Settlers of Nurnberg
14.1 What does it add to the game?
This section is under construction.
14.2 What is included in the set?
This section is under construction.
15.0 PC Games (Freeware)
15.1 The Settlers of Catan/Die Siedler von Catan
- How is this game different from the regular board game?
There are a few minor annoyances to veteran players: All hexes
adjacent to a harbor hex benefit from it. You may trade and build in
any order. The only way to find out what is available in trades is to
offer to buy, see what they're asking, then offer to sell, and see who
accepts what. You may build and trade in alternating order, as often
as you want (build, trade, build, trade).
Also, while it incorporates many of the basic rules for Seafarers, the
game's engine is limited in scope, and cannot handle special victory
points awarded for abstract goals like "First to an island".
This game is definitely worth a download if you have a laptop and
frequently feel the need to play Settlers against someone, but no one
to play against.
15.2 NetSet
This section is under construction.
15.3 Java Settlers
There exists a Java version of TSoC at
(http://settlers.cs.northwestern.edu/). The game is multiplayer, and
requires only a Java-compatible web-browser to play. It was
programmed by Robb Thomas, and there is a separate FAQ for it at
(http://settlers.cs.northwestern.edu/faq.html).
15.4 Settlers SEUL Project
This section is under construction.
15.5 GnoCatan
This section is under construction.
16.0 Retail Video Games
16.1 Catan: Die Erste Insel
16.1.0 PC Version
This section is under construction.
16.1.1 PSX Version
This section is under construction.
16.2 Die Siedler von Catan: Das Kartenspiel
This section is under construction.
16.3 Die Sternenfahrer von Catan
This section is under construction.
16.4 Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!?
A seemingly unauthorized SvC clone for the PSX, published by Human
Entertainment in Japan. Little to nothing is known about it by
English speaking Catan fans.
17.0 Translation
As has been noted many times throughout this document, much of the
best Catan-related material is German-exclusive, with no formal
translation in sight. This is not much of a problem with the board
game: Most of the components are language independent, and those that
aren't have been more or less translated online. The most notable
parts still needing translation are several chapters from Das Buch, as
well as the video games. For this reason, I wish to start the
official Catan Translation Project.
Amazingly, the Book will probably be the hardest part to completely
(and accurately) translate. Most of what is covered in the video
games is already translated for the board-game counterparts. The
tough part would be finding the text or script in the game, changing
it, and getting the engine to acknowledge the new script without
barfing all over creation. There is likely some graphics-based text
which would need to be completely redone, as well.
As I understand things, Die Sternenfahrer may prove a bit of a
challenge. It may not be a conversion of the board game, but a
re-creation of the storyline in a more video-game-like atmosphere.
From what I hear, it heavily features spoken dialogue, which will be
difficult to translate, although it is unknown at this point whether
or not it is also subtitled.
Currently, I have one person who speaks fluent German, and is willing
to assist in the translation of Das Buch. To volunteer for the
project, please post a message to rec.games.board telling in what way
you can contribute, and I will contact you.
18.0 Revision History
1-26-02 - Well, this would be, ah, version 1.0. First release. Still
missing quite a bit, but also covering quite a bit. If you have any
information for any sections listed as “under
construction,” then by all means, email me.
19.0 Credits
This document was written by Paul Blake, and is copyright 2002. You
are free to reproduce this document in whole or in part provided you
1) Give me credit for it, and 2) do so without changing the content.
I would like to thank the many people who submitted (and who,
hopefully, will continue to submit) questions and information
regarding Catan.
I would also like to thank Mr. Mark Jackson of Game Central Station,
whose page I mentioned multiple times, but I’ll mention it here
again, just for the heck of it: (http://www.geocities.com/scareyjo).
Further, I would like to thank Mr. Klaus Teuber for his many
imaginative games other than Catan, but especially for Catan.
Lastly, I would like to thank my momma and God. Just ‘cause.
Marc Telkamp
http://home.planet.nl/~telka017. Here you can download WanCatan. Go see for
yourself...
RRI1
A few corrections and clarifications:
**** Section 1.2
>"The Settlers of Catan" (TSoC) is a board game published by Mayfair
>games, and designed by Klaus Teuber. It first appeared in the US in
>1995, and has since gone through two later editions, each of which
>made minor changes to the componants.
The 1st Mayfair edition appeared 1996. It won the 1995 Spiel Des Jahr.
**** Section 1.4
>Early Mayfair editions (1st and 2nd) also had differently sized gaming
>hexes from the Kosmos edition, while the 3rd Mayfair edition had the
>same sized hexes. All Mayfair editions have differently sized
>resource cards from the Kosmos edition.
Incorrect. The hex sizes of the first 2 Mayfair editions is identical to the
hes sizes of the Germans and later Mayfair editions. The cardboard of the
original hexes is slightly thicker than currently used by Mayfair, but hexes
from different editions will fit together without any problems (other than
aesthetics)
The cards of the 1st&2nd Mayfair editions are the same size as the German
edition--but the backs are different and so cannot be mixed. This prevents
using the German Stadt & Ritter expansion with an older Mayfair set.
>1st and 2nd editions also contained all of the 5&6 player components,
>and had player pieces in different colors from the 3rd edition.
Each edition had sufficient cards for the 5/6 player game. In order to play
with 5 or 6 players was to combine necessary parts from both editions: hexes,
number chits and wood pieces (they were painted different colors in the second
edition than they were in the first edition.)
1 st: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow
2nd: Purple, Orange, White and Black.
Note: When Mayfair released Seafarers and Cities & Knights, I spray painted
the orange and brown pieces to match the old colors and had to purchase current
cards for the basic set to match those in C&K. There are sufficient tiles in
both sets to play all Seafarer scenarios.
**** Section 1.7
>The German cardgame has an Tournament expansion set, which contains
>cards not found in the theme expansions.
Nope. All cards that appeared in the Turnierset were incorporated into the
later expansions: Fortschritt & Wissenchaft (Science and Progress) and Ritter
& Handler (Knights and Merchants)
The Tournament expansion set originally included only one University and 2 were
needed to play without "deck buiulding rules". Extra University cards were
distributed at the Essen Game Fair.
**** 2.2 Rules/General Question
>-If I tie someone for longest road or largest army, what happens?
>
>According to the Almanac, when a tie occurs, the card leaves play. It
>only returns when one player has a longer road or a larger army
No, The player who held the card retains it when someone ties him.
When someone builds a settlement that breaks the Longest Road holder's road, it
goes to the player who now has the longest road of at least a length of 5. If
there is a now a tie for Longest Road (not including the prior holder--who
would still retain it) or if the Longest Road is now less than 5 in length,
then the Card is not awarded. In these cases, it will be awarded when the
first player takes a lead and has more a road of longer than 5 segments.
>-Can I play a development card before I roll the dice?
>
>No. Dice roll first, before -anything else-. The only exception to
>this is the Alchemist card in Cities & Knights.
This was allowed in the early editions of the game and very common. You should
agree with your opponents before the game to decide which rule you will use.
**** Section 4.3
>- If two players win at the same time, what breaks the tie?
>
>It currently eludes me as to how such a situation could occur: If a
>player obtains a VP during as a result of the event die, that takes
>place before anything else during the turn. Since politics and
>science each have only one VP card, there doesn't seem to be any way
>for two players to get a victory point at the same time. Similarly,
>the Defender of Catan card goes to the single player who contributed
>the most force to a victory against the Barbarians, so again, only one
>player can get that point at a time. Has this happened to someone
>before? If so, how?
Two other ways:
- Barbarians land and are repulsed. The player (not the current player) has
the strongest knight force (without a tie) and wins a "Defender of Catan" VP.
- If a player breaks the longest road and it gives 2 pt. award to another
player.
You can only declare victory on your own turn. If you earn a VP through any
method when it is not your turn, you have to wait until your turn to declare
victory. If someone else declares victory before you can, you lose--even if
you have more points than the winner. This rule applies in all versions of
Settlers.
>- If a tie for longest road is created because of the Diplomat, who
>gets it?
>
>Neither player. Any time a tie for longest road or largest army
>occurs, the point card is set aside until one player has more points.
Incorrect. Same rules for Settlers on the longest road apply to Cities and
Knights.
**** Section 6.4 Expansion to the Card Game
>In Germany, there exists a Tournament Set which contains 60 new cards
>from which players construct custom decks to compete against each
>other. It also includes a plastic flagpole for scorekeeping, as well
>as several blank cards for customized designs, and a sheet of stickers
>to aid in card design.
As noted above, the Tournament Set is the same as two of the theme sets. The
Tournament Set is now out of print.
**** Section 8.3: Starfarers
>Yellow tokens are generally good numbers,
>Blue are generally lousy, Red are generally -not- numbers at all, and
>White (which replaces red) are moderate numbers.
Actually White numbers are the worst numbers in the game: 2,3,4,11,12.
Richard Irving rr...@aol.com
Made with recycled electrons!
Stefanie Kethers
RRI1 wrote:
>
> Overall a very good job, Paul.
>
> A few corrections and clarifications:
> **** Section 1.2
> >"The Settlers of Catan" (TSoC) is a board game published by Mayfair
> >games, and designed by Klaus Teuber. It first appeared in the US in
> >1995, and has since gone through two later editions, each of which
> >made minor changes to the componants.
>
> The 1st Mayfair edition appeared 1996. It won the 1995 Spiel Des Jahr.
It's "Spiel des Jahres", not "Spiel des Jahr".
Cheers,
Stefanie
Erich Schneider
> >-Can I play a development card before I roll the dice?
> >
> >No. Dice roll first, before -anything else-. The only exception to
> >this is the Alchemist card in Cities & Knights.
>
> This was allowed in the early editions of the game and very common.
> You should agree with your opponents before the game to decide which
> rule you will use.
I have a copy of Mayfair 3rd edition, which I believe is the latest
edition, and the Almanac section "Frequently Asked Question", question
number 5, says that development cards can be played any time during
the turn, even before the dice are rolled. The German FAQ at
www.die-siedler.com also says that Knight/Soldier cards can be played
before the dice are rolled.
However, of the progress cards of C&K, only Alchemist can be played
before a die roll, and a knight cannot boot the robber off a hex
before the die roll.
--
Erich Schneider er...@caltech.edu Caltech Information Technology Services
Russ Khater
I just got Mayfair's Seafarers of Catan. Scenario 2, "The Four
Islands" (III) on pages 12-13, says, in the text beneath Table B that
8 harbors (5 special 2:1 and 3 generic 3:1) are needed for setup, but
the Illustration directly beneath shows only SEVEN harbors.
What's the deal?
Thanks,
TF
Kevin
>
> 16.4 Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!?
>
> A seemingly unauthorized SvC clone for the PSX, published by Human
> Entertainment in Japan. Little to nothing is known about it by
> English speaking Catan fans.
This translates to "Zipangu Island: The Die Decides Destinty!?"