Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall

“Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall” is an expansion for the popular board game “Die Siedler von Catan” (The Settlers of Catan). The expansion was released in 2001 and features two historical scenarios: one set in the time of the Great Wall of China and the other in the era of the Trojan War. The game was designed by Klaus Teuber and first published in 1995.

Why is Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall Popular?

The game is popular and significant because it expands the gameplay of “Die Siedler von Catan” by offering new historical scenarios and unique mechanics. It allows players to explore different historical periods and cultures while still enjoying the core Gameplay Mechanics of Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall that made the original game a success.

Game Components of Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall

Game Boards: Two separate boards, one for the Troy scenario and one for the Great Wall scenario.

Decision Cards: Used in the Troy scenario to determine player allegiance.

Resource Tokens: Standard Catan resources (brick, wood, sheep, wheat, ore).

Trade Tokens: Earned by supporting either Greece or Troy.

Ship Tokens: Used in the Troy scenario to build ships.

Pirate Token: Affects coastal settlements and ships in both scenarios.

Hun Tokens: Represent the Hun invasion in the Great Wall scenario.

Wall Improvement Tokens: Used to strengthen the Great Wall.

Knight Cards: Allow special actions in the Great Wall scenario.

Minus Tokens: Penalty tokens for Great Wall breaches.

How To Setup Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall

To set up the game, players need to prepare the specific board for either the Troy or Great Wall scenario. For the **Troy** scenario, each player draws a Decision Card to secretly choose their allegiance. The board features a hex map of the area near Greece and Troy. For the **Great Wall** scenario, players select locations along the Great Wall and build their initial settlements. Each scenario has unique setup instructions, including the placement of Hun tokens and wall improvements in the Great Wall scenario.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Troy Scenario

Player Allegiance: Secretly chosen using Decision Cards.

Resource Support: Players can donate resources to either Greece or Troy.

Battle Resolution: The side with the most resources wins battles, earning victory points.

Ship Building: Trade tokens can be used to build ships with special abilities.

Pirate Movement: Affects coastal settlements and ships.

Victory Conditions: The game ends when a player reaches 15 victory points or when either side wins six battles.

Great Wall Scenario

Wall Strengthening: Players build and improve their section of the Great Wall.

Hun Invasion: Hun tokens are moved based on dice rolls, potentially breaching the wall.

Knight Actions: Special cards allow players to manage Hun tokens and the pirate.

Victory Conditions: The game ends when a player reaches 10 victory points or when the Great Wall is breached too many times.

Player Experience

Catan Historical Scenarios II offers a unique blend of historical context and strategic gameplay. Players must balance traditional Catan mechanics like resource trading and settlement expansion with scenario-specific challenges. In **Troy**, the secrecy of player allegiance adds a layer of intrigue, while in **Great Wall**, the constant threat of Hun invasion keeps players on their toes.

Pros

Historical Context: Engaging scenarios that add depth to the Catan universe.

New Mechanics: Unique elements like Decision Cards and Hun tokens introduce fresh strategies.

Replayability: High variability due to the different scenarios and random elements.

Thematic Immersion: Players feel connected to historical events.

Cons

Complexity: Additional rules and components can make setup and gameplay more complex.

Learning Curve: New players may find the scenario-specific mechanics challenging to learn.

Dependence on Base Game: Requires the Settlers of Catan base game and potentially the 5-6 player extension.

Personal Thoughts on Catan Historical Scenarios II: Troy and Great Wall

This expansion is ideal for fans of the Catan series looking to explore new themes and mechanics. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy historical settings and strategic depth. However, new players may find it more daunting due to the additional rules and components. Overall, it offers a rich and engaging experience that enhances the traditional Catan gameplay.

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