Official CATAN: Traders & Barbarians Rules

Last Updated on June 5, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Welcome to the Catan: Traders & Barbarians expansion rules page! If you’re looking to expand your Catan experience, this expansion introduces a variety of new challenges and gameplay options that will keep both new and veteran players engaged.

This expansion brings new strategic elements into the game, from managing trade with distant cities to defending your settlements. Ready to explore the unique twists and turns of Traders & Barbarians? Let’s dive into the rules!

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Objective

The objective remains the same as in the base game of Catan: to be the first player to reach a set number of Victory Points (typically 10). The expansion introduces new ways to earn Victory Points and additional gameplay mechanics.

Components

• Game Board: Uses the base Catan game board with additional tiles and pieces from the expansion.
• New Terrain Tiles: Includes additional hex tiles for new scenarios.
• Bridge, Wagon, and Barbarian Figures: Adds new game elements and mechanics.
• Fishing Grounds and Harbor Masters: Introduces new ways to gain resources and Victory Points.
• Event Cards: Replaces the dice rolls with a deck of cards to introduce more variability.
• New Development Cards: Offers additional actions and bonuses.
• Gold River and Caravan Tokens: Adds new resource management elements.
• Scenario-Specific Tokens and Pieces: Used for the various scenarios included in the expansion.

Setup

1. Select a Scenario: Choose one of the five scenarios or variants to play.
2. Set Up the Board: Arrange the board and place the terrain tiles according to the chosen scenario’s setup instructions.
3. Place New Tokens and Figures: Add any new components required by the scenario, such as bridges, wagons, or barbarians.
4. Distribute Starting Resources: Follow the base game’s rules for distributing starting resources.
5. Determine Starting Player: The starting player is determined as per the base game rules.

New Scenarios and Variants (click here for a full map list!)

1. The Fishermen of Catan: Introduces fishing grounds where players can catch fish to trade for resources or Victory Points.
2. The Rivers of Catan: Adds river tiles and gold as a resource. Players build bridges and collect gold, which can be traded for resources.
3. The Caravans: Features trading caravans that travel between settlements, providing new trading opportunities.
4. Barbarian Attack: Involves defending Catan from invading barbarians. Players must work together to fend off the attacks while still competing for Victory Points.
5. Traders & Barbarians: Combines elements from the previous scenarios into a single, complex game with multiple paths to Victory Points.

Gameplay

The core gameplay mechanics from the base Catan game are retained, with additional rules and actions specific to each scenario.

General Additions

• Fishing: Players can fish for resources at designated fishing grounds. Fish can be traded for resources, special cards, or Victory Points.
• Bridges and Wagons: Players can build bridges over rivers and use wagons to transport goods. This introduces new strategic elements in road and settlement placement.
• Event Cards: Replace the dice in the base game, introducing more variability and strategic planning. Each card specifies the resources produced and any special events.
• Barbarian Attacks: In the Barbarian Attack scenario, players must build knights to defend against barbarian invasions. Successful defense earns players rewards.

Example Scenario: Barbarian Attack

1. Setup: Place barbarian figures on the board as indicated by the scenario setup.
2. Gameplay:
   • Players must balance building their settlements and roads with creating knights to defend against barbarians.
   • Barbarians move toward Catan each turn. If they reach a settlement, they may destroy it unless knights are present.
   • Victory Points are earned through typical means (building settlements, roads, etc.) and by successfully defending against barbarians.
3. Endgame: The game ends when a player reaches the set number of Victory Points or when a certain event occurs, as specified by the scenario.

Special Rules

• Variable Victory Points: Some scenarios adjust the number of Victory Points needed to win.
• New Trading Rules: Some scenarios introduce new trading rules and opportunities, such as trading with caravans or using gold.
• Scenario-Specific Objectives: Each scenario may have unique objectives and rules that provide additional ways to earn Victory Points.

Tips and Strategies

• Adaptability: Be ready to adapt your strategy based on the unique elements and objectives of each scenario.
• Resource Management: Efficiently manage and trade resources, especially with the new elements like gold and fish.
• Defense and Offense: Balance building and expansion with defending against barbarians in scenarios where they are present.
• Collaboration: In scenarios involving cooperative elements (like defending against barbarians), coordinate with other players while still pursuing your own goals.

Traders & Barbarians adds depth and complexity to the base Catan game, introducing new challenges and strategic opportunities.

We hope you enjoy playing and if you do, make sure you check out some of the epic expansions like CATAN: Seafarers, CATAN: Cities and Knights, CATAN: Explorers and Pirates, and of course the game that started it all, Settlers of Catan.