View more photos on instagram
and join the discussion!

Board game review & gameplay of: Catan: traders and barbarians

Game design: K. Teuber

  • 7.5/10
  • 10
  • 2-4 players
  • 60-90 minutes

Gameplay

This expansion consists of 5 modules that can be added separately or together to a regular game of Catan.

Friendly robber

This is mainly a change to the way players handle the robber. It can be played this way even without the expansion itself.

Spoiler 👀: you cant place the robber near a player that has 2 or fewer points.

Event cards

Play catan substituting dice for a deck of cards with events!

Harbour master

Harbours have more added value which entirely changes up the game

2 player catan

Play the game with two dummies, ensuring some movement on the board besides you and your opponent

The campaign

… handles 5 different scenarios, each bringing a big change to the game. There’s the Harbourmaster, Fishermen of Catan, Rivers of Catan, Caravans, Barbarians.

Thoughts

👍 There is a lot of content in this box! Truly! 5 modules is not giving it enough credit for the amount thats available.

👍 the various modules are a fun way of exploring catan again when you are getting bored of the same thing over and over again

👍 I especially appreciate the event deck, making the chance less randomised! Also the events are fun!

👍 The various scenarios of the campaign are cool! This is where the real big changes come to light of this expansion.

➖ There are so many modules, it did feel a bit overwhelming at first (you need to really want more from catan!)

➖ the two player variant was a bit complicated in our eyes. It works, but in my view it might be possible to make this easier

7.5/10

A copy of this game was provided to me by 999 Games for the purpose of writing this review. My opinion however remains my own.

Support me

Although I prefer you would buy at your local gamestore, if you choose to do otherwise please use one of my links below. This will generate a little 💸 for me and it doesn't cost you anything extra. This will help keeping this website up and running so I can keep providing these awesome reviews.