Catan: Barbarians & Traders (Expansion)
Catan: Barbarians & Traders (Expansion)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Free delivery on orders over €70
Free delivery on orders over €70
Treat yourself without extra charges. Free delivery for any order of €70 or more via Mondial Relay.
Perfect gift
Perfect gift
Offer an original, durable and characterful product. A perfect idea to surprise your loved ones with a unique creation by Loufoque.
Responsive customer service
Responsive customer service
Questions? Our team will get back to you within 24 hours to assist you before and after your order.
| 2 to 4 players | 60 to 90 min | Ages 10+ |
Catan – Barbarians and Traders is much more than just an expansion: it's a true modular toolbox offering 5 complete scenarios and 4 independent variants to radically transform the game experience. Gold rivers, nomad caravans, barbarian invasions, deep-sea fishing, or reconstruction of the royal castle… each module brings a radically different objective and atmosphere, playable separately or combined according to the group's desire. For all Catan fans who have exhausted the base game and are looking to multiply its depth tenfold.
How to play Catan – Traders & Barbarians?
Game Setup
Installez le jeu de base Catan normalement (indispensable pour jouer).
Choisissez le scénario ou la variante que vous souhaitez jouer et suivez ses instructions de mise en place spécifiques.
Selon le module choisi, ajoutez au plateau les éléments correspondants : tuiles Rivière, jetons Poisson, figurines Barbare, chameaux, chariots, jetons Matériau ou cartes Péripéties.
Distribuez le matériel spécifique à chaque joueur selon le livret de règles du module.
La mise en place est rapide pour les variantes simples, un peu plus longue pour les grands scénarios.
Gameplay outline
Each module introduces its own rules, but here are the 5 scenarios and 4 variants included:
The 5 scenarios:
- The Rivers of Catan: exploit golden waterways and build bridges to reach gold deposits.
- The Fishermen of Catan: harvest fish to get valuable bonuses and rebalance the randomness of the board.
- The Caravan: a caravan of camels travels the island — bid resources to attract it to your settlements and cities.
- The Barbarian Invasion: recruit knights to defend the coasts of Catan against waves of invading barbarians.
- Barbarians and Merchants: transport marble, sand, and stained glass to restore the great castle of the Catan Council, while repelling barbarians.
The 4 variants:
- The Princely Robber: the robber can only target leading players, protecting those behind.
- The Vicissitudes of Catan: dice are replaced by event cardsthat balance distribution and eliminate streaks of bad luck.
- The Harbor Master: new victory points are awarded to the best port managers.
- 2-Player Game: for the first time in the range, a dedicated mode for head-to-head duels.
Win/Loss Condition
Conditions vary depending on the module played, but most maintain the classic objective of 10 victory points, enriched with new sources of points specific to each scenario.
Our Tips for Winning
-
Let's start with Catan: Fishermen of Catan for the first game.
This is the most accessible and well-balanced module. Fish tokensintelligently rebalance the randomness of the dice and offer bonuses without disrupting the basic rules. An excellent entry point before tackling more complex scenarios.
-
Integrate the Peripeties variant as soon as you are tired of the dice
The Quest Cardsvariant is probably the best improvement you can make to Catan. It removes frustrating bad luck streaks and makes the game significantly more strategic. Once adopted, it's hard to go back to classic dice.
-
In the Barbarians and Merchants scenario, upgrade your wagon first.
Upgrading your cart is key to the eponymous scenario. An upgraded cart carries more goods and allows you to accumulate victory points much faster than your opponents. Don't delay investing in this upgrade from the very first turns.
FAQ – All about Catan Traders & Barbarians
Is the Barbarians and Merchants expansion compatible with Cities and Knights?
Partially. Some scenarios and variants are compatible with Cities & Knights, others are not. The rulebook clearly states for each module which combinations are possible. However, the expansion is fully compatible with Seafarers.
Do I have to play all the scenarios or can I choose just one?
Each scenario and variant is completely standaloneand playable independently. You don't have to play them in order. This modularity is one of the box's great strengths: simply choose the module that suits your current mood.
Is the 2-player mode really satisfying?
It offers a different experience from classic multiplayer gaming. With 2 players, the negotiation dynamic disappears but the tactical tension remains strong. It's a good optionfor Catan fans who don't always have a large group available, even if the optimal experience remains with 3-4 players.
Is the expansion suitable for players who are new to Catan?
No. Barbarians and Merchants is for players who have already mastered the basic rulesof Catan. It is highly recommended to have several games of the base game under your belt before embarking on the advanced scenarios, especially Barbarian Invasion and Barbarians and Merchants.