Mayfair Games Catan Explorers and Pirates Expansion Board Game

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Price: $45.00 Too low to display   

Product Feature

• This is an expansion, you need Settlers of Catan in order to use the expansion
• Adds depth and complexity to the base game
• Includes 5 scenarios and 3 missions

Product Description

Catan: Explorers and Pirates is an expansion for Settlers of Catan. You need the base Settlers of Catan in order to use the expansion. It's for three to four players 12 and up, and can be played in 90+ minutes. The expansion will include five scenarios and three missions, which can be mixed and matched to enhance replayability; not all scenarios make use of missions. The five scenarios are: Land Ho!, in which players explore the sea of Catan and two islands, which can be colonized using ships to ferry settlers (Introductory Scenario). Pirate Lairs!, in which players must pay tribute to the pirates or drive them off, and can capture their lairs to earn gold and Victory Points (One Mission Scenario). Fish for Catan!, in which players search for fish to earn Victory Points, and must avoid pirates but can capture their lairs (Two Mission Scenario). Spices for Catan!, in which players seek fish and spices to win Victory Points, and can learn more about sailing or pirate fighting from the inhabitants of the Spice Islands (Two Mission Scenario). Explorers and Pirates!, a lengthy and challenging scenario which combines all the previous scenarios (Three Mission Scenario). Wood components include 16 harbor settlements, 32 adventurers, 12 ships, eight settlers, 12 markers, four pirate ships, six fish, and 24 spice sacks. Other components include 76 die cut gold coins, frame pieces and hexes, tokens, and cards. Catan: Explorers and Pirates also requires some components from Settlers of Catan.

Mayfair Games Catan Explorers and Pirates Expansion Board Game Review

I've written reviews for each Catan game and expansion. And recently my gaming group has played through Explorers & Pirates. First, the physical quality. The thickness of the cardboard is greater than the base set (4th edition) and it makes for awkward fitting. We fought keeping it together the entire night. I also don't quite get the shapes of some wood pieces. Is the Settler pieces supposed to be a person and their supplies? The crew pieces are likewise a bit too abstract. And the pirate ships look like sombreros. The box does not come with a compartmentalized tray. Instead, you get a bunch of large bags and some cardboard punch-outs that serve to identify what pieces go in what bag. Plan to spend a good 30 minutes punching and sorting into bags when you open the box.

Scenarios. I'm afraid that the marketing of this game is misleading. There are not five scenarios in this expansion. Instead, there are four TRAINING games that teach you how to do each part and the so-called "Scenario 5" is the one where you put it all together and play E&P.

To be honest, this expansion is familiar territory for those who have played Seafarers and Traders & Barbarians. Land Ho is essentially Fog Island. Pirate Lair is similar to the Pirate Bay. Fishing and Spices is the same delivery mechanic as the T&B wagons scenario. The difference in this expansion and the previous scenarios is that rather than building a shipping line (aka a trade route), you actually move a ship across the board. This ship delivers things and picks up things. You cannot just land and build a settlement, you must take the supplies (build and move a Settler). Or you must deliver your crew to ward off the pirates. Or take the fish and spices to the Council of Catan. Cities are gone, as are trade harbors. Instead, you build Harbor Settlements. Gold coins are predominant, too. You obtain them for various reasons, including not getting resource production, and can use them to buy resources from the bank.

If you enjoy the simplicity of Seafarers, there's no reason why you won't enjoy this expansion. It is not complicated. The dynamic of the ships is just different. You have many things to do besides just building roads and settlements. It makes for a fun adventure. For my group, which is into more hardcore gaming, this probably isn't sufficient by itself and we'll be looking how to combine with other expansions. But hey, it's Catan! What's not to love!?

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