CATAN: Dawn of Humankind (2022) Board Game

CATAN: Dawn of Humankind is a civilization-themed board game that takes players back to the prehistoric era. Designed by Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, this game challenges players to strategically build and develop their tribes in order to thrive in a world full of challenges and opportunities.

Game Components of CATAN: Dawn of Humankind

Game Board: A large, double-sided board for 3 or 4 players.

Campsites: Replace settlements, starting with 2 campsites and an explorer for each player.

Explorers: Replace roads, allowing players to move and explore new areas.

Resource Cards: 4 resources (Meat, Hide, Bone, and Flint).

Progress Tracks: 4 tracks for Food, Clothing, Construction, and Hunting, which enhance movement and exploration capabilities.

Animal Tokens: Provide various bonuses or penalties, such as destroying tiles or granting victory points.

Exploration Tokens: Award victory points and other bonuses.

Harvest Items: Berry, mushroom, potato, and nut, used for building campsites.

How To Setup CATAN: Dawn of Humankind

Players start in Africa with 2 campsites and an explorer. Each player has a set of resource cards and the ability to move explorers. The board is set up with fixed numbers and specific spaces for harvest items and animal tokens. Players must migrate and settle across the globe, advancing their technologies and cultures.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to determine resource collection.

Hexagon Grid: The game board features a hexagon grid for resource production and exploration.

Resource to Move: Resources are used to move explorers and build campsites.

Trading: Players can trade resources freely without ports.

Progress Tracks: Enhance movement, clothing level, construction level, and hunting abilities.

Game Objective: The first player to reach 10 victory points wins by collecting exploration tokens, animal tokens, and building campsites.

Player Experience

**CATAN: Dawn of Humankind** offers a more open and dynamic gameplay experience compared to the original CATAN. Players guide their branch of the human family tree through migration, resource gathering, and technological advancement. The game maintains a high level of engagement throughout, with multiple pathways to victory and a reduced likelihood of players becoming disengaged.

Pros

Increased Flexibility: More flexible strategies and resource management.

Enhanced Engagement: Keeps all players engaged until the end of the game.

New Mechanics: Innovative progress tracks and exploration tokens add new layers of strategy.

Thematic Depth: A compelling theme of human migration and technological advancement.

Cons

Learning Curve: New rules can be intimidating for new players.

Slow Start: Can be slow if players are not collecting the right resources to move explorers.

Limited Robber Movement: The robber can only be moved a finite number of times based on the progress tracker.

Personal Thoughts on CATAN: Dawn of Humankind

**CATAN: Dawn of Humankind** is ideal for fans of the original CATAN who are looking for a fresh and more open gameplay experience. It is suited for players who enjoy strategy and adventure games, particularly those interested in historical and prehistoric themes. The game’s complexity and new mechanics make it appealing to experienced players, while its thematic depth and engaging gameplay ensure it remains accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.

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