Launching in 1996, the Settlers of Catan was one of the first Euro-style board games to make it big in the US. Since then, the title has gone on the sell over 40 million copies. Catan has even been translated for players in 40+ languages.

According to the Catan Website, the Settlers of Catan is about “one branch of the human family to gather resources, migrate, and settle in new areas, all the while advancing their technology and culture.” The whole game depends on strategy and luck. You have to collect resources, develop settlements, and earn victory points. Playing Catan also involves maneuvering around other players and their moves on the island.

Why Should You Use A Catan Scenario?

But exciting as the gameplay is, even a casual game with friends can sometimes take over 2 hours to complete. The Settlers of Catan, moreover, when played in the classic styles of gameplay, tend to be monotonous. The rules of the base game may especially may seem outdated to most modern players.

Fortunately, Catan scenarios help invigorate the original gameplay and add new life to the classic board game. These may include everything from major spins offs to title reboots and base game extensions. Generally, expansions and scenarios are two different concepts for the Settlers of Catan.

Expansion vs. Scenarios

Expansions makes it possible for additional players to access the main island. In a base, i.e., un-extended gameplay, only a maximum of 4 players can explore Catan. But by combining frame pieces and additional land hexes, extensions allow the gameplay to incorporate up to 6 players. When playing a Catan expansion, almost all the rules are borrowed from the original/base games.

Sometimes, these titles make some changes to the original rules to make the game fun. If they create significant enough alterations, they may be considered to be Catan scenarios. These changes may include his new shores allowing fishing on the sea or additional ways to combine/acquire resource cards.

However, sometimes, Catan extensions make only minor changes to the base game rules. For example, adding an extra ship/ships or new hexes to the Catan Seafarers Scenarios does not make significant changes to the gameplay. Such a title would be a variant of the original game, not a new scenario.

Types of Scenarios Offered by the Official Catan Website

Most scenarios make basic additions to the base game. These changes may include additional pieces like cities, knights, or ships. However, not all scenarios involve minor alterations. For example, your Catan game title may let you play on new shores and explore multiple islands.

Sometimes, you may also need new hexes, city pieces, or sea ports. Moreover, some Catan scenarios may require you to create new boards by combining the provided components. Based on these differences, the official Catan website categorizes these scenarios into

1. Catan Starfarers New Encounters

Official Description: After befriending the many alien civilizations across the galaxy, you must prove you are worthy enough to be a member of the Galactic Council. The council gives you three missions:

• Stop the notorious pirate leader Hog-Kahm from raiding planets in the sector.
• Save your sector from giant ship-eating space amoebas.
• Find a lost group of ancient people and study their technology.

Accept the missions. Build your legacy.

2. Catan Soccer Fever

Official Description: Soccer fever has gripped the island of Catan! You and your fellow Catanians are swept up in supporting your hometown teams. Will they win the most matches and finish the season with the championship cup? Soccer matches are held every time you build a settlement or a city. Leading the league will gain you victory points!

3. Legend of the Conquerors (Cities & Knights Scenario)

Official Description: 570 years after the arrival of the first settlers on Catan, an enemy army lands on the northern shores. Knights from every region must join together to defend the island. Together will you be able to stop the onslaught? The three scenarios tell an interwoven story and give experienced players new challenges as they consider new strategies for victory.

4. Catan Scenarios: Frenemies of Catan

Official Description: We live in a time of altruism on Catan. We give away resources to help lagging players.

5. Catan Scenarios: Helpers of Catan

Official Description: Come meet some of the most influential and helpful people on CATAN.

6. Catan: Rickshaw Run

Official Description: A special map for playing Catan in India.

7. Catan Geographies: Georgia

Official Description: In order to settle the Georgia region, you need the game pieces and cards from The Settlers of Catan base game. You also need additional markers for victory point tokens; you can use Catan chits from Seafarers, coins, or whatever else is handy. The standard Settlers of Catan rules apply to this game, with certain exceptions.

8. Catan Geographies: U.S.A. – Pennsylvania –  New Jersey

Official Description: In order to settle the Penn-Jersey region, you need the game pieces and cards from The Settlers of Catan game. You also need additional markers for iron commodities and victory point tokens; you can use Catan chits from Seafarers, coins, or whatever else is handy. The standard Settlers of Catan rules apply to this game, with certain exceptions.

9. Rivals Of Catan Floor MatsRivals Of Catan Floor Mats

Play comfortably with this awesome Play Mats!

10. Catan The Helpers

Expand your cities to earn more victory points and create powerful special advantages.

This may be the only time you get to try your hand at these alternate Catan scenarios.

These 12 helpful characters are ready to lend a hand to help you grow your fledgling settlements into thriving communities. Whether it’s helping to drive away the robber, building makeshift roads, or choosing development cards, using advantages wisely will help you reach your goal.

Requires Settlers of Catan base game to play.

Why are Some Popular Catan Seafarers Scenarios? What Seafarers Scenario Should You Choose?

As the most popular Settlers of Catan extension, Catan: Seafarers has given birth to multiple scenarios, including

1. Catan Hawaii

Official Description: This is a special game for Catan Seafarers that lets you enjoy the fun of the most popular Catan expansion set in a beautiful tropical locale! This Pacific archipelago offers not only productive landscapes but also rich fishing grounds. Send your fleet fishing to take advantage of helpful new abilities

Requires: Catan base game + Catan – Seafarers To play with 5-6 players, it also requires two expansions: Catan 5-6 Player + Catan –Seafarers 5-6 Player Extension

2. Catan Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers (Seafarers + Cities & Knights Scenario)

Official Description: You and your opponents will defeat dragons, dig canals, and discover islands off the Catanian coast—along with all the treasures they conceal. With a plethora of new game components, this game is a must-have for dedicated players who love to modify existing scenarios or get creative to invent their own maps and scenarios. This set of six scenarios requires the Catan base game and the two expansions – Seafarers and Cities & Knights.

3. Catan Scenarios: Legend of the Sea Robbers

Official Description: Legend of the Sea Robbers includes four new linked scenarios that tell the “Legend of the Sea Robbers” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Catan Seafarers.

*You will need two games to play this title – the Catan Base Game and the Seafarers Expansions.

Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by soubhik