A boxed board game expansion called "Historische Szenarien für die Siedler von Catan: Alexander der Grosse & Cheops" by Klaus Teuber, with artwork featuring a coin with Alexander the Great's profile and the pyramids of Giza, produced by KOSMOS and imported by Mayfair Games Inc.

Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops

ByMichail

Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops

Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops is an expansion for the popular board game, The Settlers of Catan. The expansion includes two scenarios: Cheops and Alexander the Great. Cheops takes Settlers of Catan to ancient Egypt, where players compete to build cities, settlements, roads, and ships, as well as win the Pharaoh’s favor by building him a mighty pyramid. Alexander the Great, on the other hand, takes place during the conquests of Alexander the Great, where players compete to build cities and roads, and to control regions of the board.

Why is Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops Popular?

The Settlers of Catan is a popular board game that has been credited with revolutionizing the board game industry. It is known for its unique Gameplay Mechanics of Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops, which involve players building settlements, cities, and roads on a modular board made up of hexagonal tiles. The game also involves trading resources with other players, which adds an element of negotiation and strategy to the gameplay. The Historical Scenarios expansion adds a historical twist to the game, allowing players to experience different time periods and settings while still maintaining the core Settlers of Catan mechanics.

Game Components of Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops

  • Cheops Scenario:**
    – Map board featuring ancient Egypt
    – Pyramid building location
    – Gold hexes
    – Ore hexes in the southeast beyond the Red Sea
    – Wood hexes in the northeast in Palestine
    – Pyramid blocks for building

  • Alexander the Great Scenario:**
    – Map board with a green path for Alexander’s conquests
    – Gold spaces
    – Event chits
    – Provision deck of resource cards

  • General Components:**
    – Resource cards
    – Event spaces
    – Settlements, roads, cities, and ships (as in the base game)

    How To Setup Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops

    Each scenario has a unique setup:

  • Cheops:**
    – The board is set with a predefined map of ancient Egypt, including the Nile, pyramid location, and resource hexes.
    – Players start by placing their settlements and roads according to the scenario rules.

  • Alexander the Great:**
    – The board is set with Alexander’s conquest path marked.
    – No initial placements are made on the board; instead, all resource cards are shuffled into the provision deck.
    – Event chits are placed on designated spaces along Alexander’s path.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Cheops

  • Objective:** Build the Pharaoh’s pyramid while competing to build cities, settlements, roads, and ships.
  • Mechanics:**
    – Players gather resources to build pyramid blocks, which offer rewards or penalties.
    – Trade routes are less emphasized compared to the base game.
    – Building the pyramid adds a new layer to the decision-making process.

    Alexander the Great

  • Objective:** Collect victory points by winning auctions, building settlements, and advancing Alexander along his conquest path.
  • Mechanics:**
    – Players receive free resource cards from the provision deck each turn.
    – Alexander moves along his path, triggering auctions at event spaces.
    – Winning auctions earns event chits, which determine advisor positions worth victory points.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops** offers a fresh twist on the classic Settlers of Catan experience. The Cheops scenario immerses players in ancient Egypt, where the challenge of building the Pharaoh’s pyramid adds an engaging layer of strategy. In contrast, the Alexander the Great scenario introduces an auction mechanic, which can be exciting but sometimes clunky.

    Pros

  • Unique Historical Settings:** Each scenario transports players to different historical eras, offering diverse gameplay experiences.
  • New Strategic Layers:** The pyramid in Cheops and the auction system in Alexander the Great add complexity and variety to the game.
  • Variety in Gameplay:** Players can switch between two distinct scenarios, each with its own rules and objectives.

    Cons

  • Dependence on Base Game:** Both scenarios require the base Settlers of Catan game and, in the case of Cheops, possibly the Seafarers expansion.
  • Auction Mechanics:** The auction system in Alexander the Great can be cumbersome and less polished compared to other Catan mechanics.
  • Limited Player Count:** Neither scenario supports more than four players.

    Personal Thoughts on Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops

    **Catan Historical Scenarios I: Alexander and Cheops** is ideal for fans of the Settlers of Catan series looking to explore new historical themes and mechanics. While it adds exciting elements to the game, it may not appeal to players who prefer the straightforward strategy of the base game. The Cheops scenario is particularly recommended for those interested in a more traditional Catan experience with an ancient Egyptian twist, while the Alexander the Great scenario is better suited for players who enjoy the unpredictability of auctions and historical conquest themes.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl