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Catan Junior Game Rules
Ahoy there, matey! Avast ye and listen up! I’m here to tell ye all about the rules of the Catan Junior game. It be a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas, where ye and yer fellow pirates strive to build yer own pirate lairs.
But before ye can set sail, ye need to understand the rules of the game. Don’t worry, me hearties, it be simpler than ye think! Let’s weigh anchor and dive right in.
The goal of Catan Junior be to be the first pirate to build all seven pirate lairs onto the island of Catan. Ye do this by collectin’ the right resources and tradin’ with other pirates. Ye won’t be alone on this quest – ye’ll have yer own adorable parrot companion to help ye along the way.
Ye start the game by placin’ two pirate lairs on two different islands of yer choice. Each island be connected by a waterway. As the game progresses, ye’ll explore the seas, discover new islands, and build more pirate lairs.
To build a pirate lair, ye’ll need the right resources. There be four types of resources in the game: goats, wood, molasses, and cutlasses. Ye can collect these resources by rollin’ the dice at the start of yer turn. If the number ye roll matches the number on one of yer islands, ye collect the resource shown on that island.
Ye can also collect resources by tradin’ with other pirates. If ye have a resource ye don’t need, ye can offer it to another pirate in exchange for a resource ye do need. Keep an eye on yer parrot buddy, as it might give ye some helpful hints on what resources to collect or trade.
But beware, me hearty! There be cap’n cards on the board that can cause trouble. When ye roll a skull and crossbones symbol, ye must draw a cap’n card. These cards can either help ye or hinder ye, so choose wisely.
As ye build more pirate lairs, ye’ll earn doubloons. Doubloons can be used to buy special abilities or cap’n cards that can give ye an edge over yer fellow pirates. The first pirate to build all seven pirate lairs and have three doubloons wins the game!
So, me hearties, are ye ready to set sail and become the greatest pirate of the Catan Junior seas? Grab ye parrot and yer lucky dice, and let’s set course for adventure! May the winds be in yer favor, and may ye find all the treasure ye seek. Now, go and show the world what ye be made of! Arrr!
“Land ho!” exclaims Coco the parrot, who is tirelessly keeping watch from above. Ahead of us, lies the captivating world of Catan: a cluster of small islands embraced by lush forests, adorned with golden fields of sugar cane, and crowned with dramatic, volcanic cliffs that conceal enigmatic caves. A perfect dwelling for audacious pirates like you and me!
Without delay, we begin constructing our very first pirates’ hideout and assembling our initial vessel. The islands are teeming with riches and treasures, allowing us to swiftly expand our fleet and establish more pirates’ lairs.
As we venture deeper into this archipelago, we stumble upon a majestic islet overflowing with fabulous gold treasures. Eager to claim the summit as our own, we engage in a spirited race to construct a pirates’ lair atop the gilded paradise. Just when excitement reaches its peak, Coco returns from a reconnaissance mission in a state of agitation. Flaunting his feathered figure, he screeches, “Ghost Captain! Ghost Captain!”
Spooky Island had the gloomiest fortress that scared me. It was perched on a desolate rock, encircled by dangerous waters. And there, the Ghost Captain held dominion over the islands of Catan.
As I ventured forward, the Ghost Captain would do everything in his power to impede my progress. But fear not, for my faithful parrot, Coco, might just come to my aid if the Ghost Captain becomes too bothersome.
Let’s Get Started!
Hey there! Today, I want to tell you all about an incredible game called Pirates’ Lairs. It’s a game like no other, and I think you’re going to love playing it. Just imagine sailing the high seas, building your very own pirates’ lairs, and becoming the most legendary pirate of all time!
The Game’s Components
- We have a total of 106 die-cut markers, which are essential for keeping track of your progress.
- You’ll also find 4 player cost boards, so you know exactly what it takes to build your pirates’ lairs and ships.
- There’s a two-sided game board that’s full of adventure and excitement.
- We’ve got 28 Pirate hideouts, perfect for hiding your treasure and outwitting your opponents.
- And don’t forget about the 32 Ships, which will help you conquer the high seas like a true pirate.
- To add a touch of mystery, we’ve included 1 pirate ghost that will keep everyone on their toes!
- Every good game needs a die, so we’ve got one of those.
- Of course, we’ve also included a tray to keep everything organized.
- And last but not least, we’ve got a beautiful box to keep all your components safe and secure.
- Oh, and don’t forget the rule book! It’ll guide you through all the exciting details of the game.
How to Win the Game
Now, let’s talk about the goal of Pirates’ Lairs. The ultimate objective is to be the very first player to build seven pirates’ lairs. Yes, you heard me right! You’ll be creating your own secret hideaways, and the race is on to see who can complete them first.
Here’s how it works, matey. You can construct a pirates’ lair on any empty lair-site that’s right next to one of your ships. And speaking of ships, you can build those on any empty ship-site that’s right next to one of your pirates’ lairs. It’s all about using your resources strategically and pulling off the perfect plan!
Now, you might be wondering, where do these resources come from? Well, they’re located on the islands next to your pirates’ lairs. You’ll need to gather these valuable tiles to build your ships and pirates’ lairs. So be sure to keep an eye on those islands and seize every opportunity that comes your way.
Getting Set Up
Before we start the game, there’s something important we need to do. Take a moment to carefully detach all the parts from the die-cut cardboard sheets. We want to make sure everything is ready for your epic pirate adventure!
Alright, you’re all set! You now have all the knowledge you need to embark on your thrilling journey with Pirates’ Lairs. So gather your crew, prepare to set sail, and let the adventures begin! Good luck, matey!
The Board – Put the board in the middle of the table.
When you play a game with 3 or 4 players, choose the side of the board that has four turtle isles in the upper-right corner of the water. You can easily spot these isles because they are circled in red on the right side.
However, if you’re playing a game with only 2 players, then you should use the side of the board that has only 2 turtle isles.
Let’s talk about the Resource Tiles. First, sort the resource tiles into five types: cutlasses, goats, wood, gold, and molasses. Then, place them in a stockpile right next to the board.
The Marketplace – I’m supposed to take one tile from each of the five resource tile piles and put them on the five booths of the marketplace shown on the right side of the board. Each booth should have one tile.
Welcome aboard, matey! Let’s get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure with Coco Tiles and The Ghost Captain.
Coco Tiles – First things first, we need to shuffle the “Coco Tiles”. Give them a good mix-up and stack them neatly next to the board, making sure that Coco, the cheeky parrot, is facing up.
The Ghost Captain – Ahoy, there! The next step is to place The Ghost Captain on the eerie Spooky Island. Prepare yourself for a chilling encounter, matey!
The Die – Put the die next to the board.
Your Pieces – You and I pick a color. We take the 7 pirates’ hideouts and the 8 ships of our chosen color.
When playing with three players, we don’t use the white game pieces, so we store them back in the box.
There are colored circles on the game board, which represent your starting lair-sites.
You need to put one of your pirates’ lairs on each of the two sites for pirates’ lairs that match your chosen color. The sites for ships are marked with outlined, dotted lines.
Next, place one of your ships on the line of your chosen color.
After that, put the remaining five pirates’ lairs and seven ships in front of you as your supply.
Each player takes the building costs tile that matches their color and puts it face up in front of them.
Alright, folks! Ready to dive into the adventure? Great! First things first, everyone gets a wood resource tile and a molasses resource tile from the stockpile. Put these in front of you, and we’re good to go!
Now, let’s talk about game play. Every turn, we roll a die. Each island that shows the number rolled will produce a resource for each adjacent pirates’ lair. For example, if we roll a 4, the treasure caves (lower left) will produce cutlasses, and the sugar cane (lower right) will produce molasses.
Since I’m the youngest, I’ll start the game and take the first turn. Here’s how it goes: I roll the dice to see what I get. Depending on my roll, some of us might receive new resource tiles.
Once I’ve rolled, I can choose to build and trade in any order I want. When I’m done with that, my turn is over, and I pass the die to the player on my left. They take their turn, and the cycle continues.
Let’s Roll the Die and See What Happens!
When it’s my turn, I get to roll the die. And guess what? Even though it’s still my turn, my friends also get the chance to collect resource tiles. If any of their pirate lairs are next to an island with the number I rolled, they get to grab 1 resource tile that matches the icon on that island.
If you roll the dice, you have to share any new resources you get with your fellow players.
Take a look at the picture below. You’re the white player and you roll a “4”. You and the red player both have a pirates’ lair next to the sugar cane island with a “4”, so both of you get a molasses tile.
There’s also a treasure cave island marked with a “4”, so you have to give the blue and orange pirates 1 cutlass tile each.
Remember: You get 1 resource for each pirates’ lair you have next to an island that produces resources.
For example, let’s say the orange player has 2 lairs next to the “4” cutlass islands and a “4” is rolled. The orange player will get 2 cutlass tiles.
“Hey, did you see that? There’s no ‘6’ on the game board! And you know what that means – when you roll a ‘6’, things get real interesting.”
If you happen to roll a “6”, everyone misses out on their usual resource tiles. Instead, get ready to shake things up – you get to move the Ghost Captain to any other island you choose. And that’s not all – you also get to snatch up 2 resource tiles that would normally come from that island.
But here’s the catch: as long as the Ghost Captain is on an island, no one gets any resource tiles from their pirates’ lairs that are next to that island when its number is rolled.
So, the next time you roll a ‘6’, don’t worry about collecting those resource tiles. Instead, make a move and take two resource tiles from the island where the Ghost Captain lands.
So here’s the deal – if you really want to get ahead in this game, I’ve got a pro tip for you. Picture this: you’re sailing the treacherous seas, searching for the fabled Ghost Captain. But here’s the catch – you need to find the perfect spot to place him, where your rivals have set up their pirate hideouts.
Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. By placing the Ghost Captain on an island where your opponents have built their lairs, you can throw a wrench in their plans and gain a major advantage. Imagine the look on their faces when they realize you’ve outsmarted them!
But wait, there’s more. You see, not all islands are created equal. Some have valuable resources just waiting to be snatched up. And here’s the beauty of it – when you place the Ghost Captain on one of these resource-rich islands, you can immediately use those resources to build something amazing.
So, what’s the key here?
Well, it’s all about strategy and foresight. You’ve got to think like a true pirate and consider every angle. Find an island where your opponents have built their lairs, and take advantage of the resources available.
Now, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. Sailing the seas and outsmarting your rivals takes skill and cunning. But if you follow this advice, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the most feared pirate of them all.
When it’s my turn, I can use my resources to buy Coco tiles and build pirates’ lairs and ships. I can build or buy as long as I have enough resources.
- To build a pirates’ lair, I need 1 cutlass, 1 molasses, 1 goat, and 1 wood.
- To build a ship, I need 1 goat and 1 wood.
- To buy a Coco tile, I need 1 cutlass, 1 molasses, and 1 gold.
Whenever I want to build something, I just need to check my building costs tile to remind myself what I can do with my resources. And whenever I build something, I should put the resources I spend into the stockpile.
Pirates’ Lair
I can build a pirates’ lair on an empty lair-site, but only if one of my ships is next to it.
Ship
I can build a ship on any empty ship-site, but only if it is next to one of my own pirates’ lairs.
“When you’re designing your pirate-themed game, it’s important to remember a key rule: always alternate between building a pirates’ lair and a ship. This means that you can’t build your structure next to another player’s pirates’ lair or ship, and you can’t share a lair-site or ship-site with someone else. The alternating pattern keeps the game balanced and fair for everyone involved.”
Get Your Coco Tiles Now!
Hey there! If you’re thinking about buying a Coco tile, let me tell you, it’s a pretty special purchase. These magical tiles have a little surprise in store for you. When you bring one home and flip it over, you’ll discover a wonderful action that the parrot has in store for you. It’s like having a fun game and a helpful friend all in one!
This is a photo of the back of a Coco tile. Take a look!
Imagine you have just rolled a ‘6’ on the dice, and now it’s your turn to move the Ghost Captain. But how should you do it? Let me explain.
The first thing to understand is that rolling a ‘6’ gives you a special power. It allows you to move the Ghost Captain to any open space within your reach. This means you have the freedom to choose where the Ghost Captain goes.
But before you make your move, there are a few things you should consider. Take a look at the board and think about which space would be the best choice. Maybe there’s a spot that will give you an advantage or help you avoid danger.
Once you’ve decided where to move the Ghost Captain, go ahead and place it on the chosen space. Congratulations, you’ve successfully used your ‘6’ roll to your advantage!
Remember, the ability to move the Ghost Captain anywhere on the board when you roll a ‘6’ is a powerful advantage. Use it wisely to outmaneuver your opponents and secure victory!
Arr, matey! Ye can build yer own pirate’s hideout or craft a mighty ship without spendin’ a doubloon!
Hey there! Let me explain how this game works and what you need to do to succeed. Here are four resources that you’ll receive:
1. Resource tiles
2. A ship
3. A pirates’ lair
4. The chance to move the Ghost Captain
Now, let’s talk about Coco tiles. They’re pretty important. Whenever you buy a Coco tile, you’ll place it in front of you, Coco side up. These tiles help you keep track of how many Coco tiles you have bought.
What can you get with Coco tiles? Well, there are three possibilities:
1. You might receive resource tiles
2. You could get a ship as a gift
3. Or, you may even stumble upon a pirates’ lair
What happens if you have the most Coco tiles?
If you end up having the most Coco tiles in front of you, congratulations! You get to place one of your pirates’ lairs on Spooky Island. This is like your own little hideaway. But remember, if another player ends up having the same number of Coco tiles as you, you lose your pirate’s lair.
Once there’s a clear winner with the highest number of Coco tiles, they get to place their pirates’ lair back on Spooky Island.
Trade
When I don’t have all the things I need to build on my turn, I can make trades with the marketplace or the stockpile. But remember, I can only trade on my turn.
Trading at the Marketplace
If I choose to trade with the marketplace, I can take any resource from the booths. However, I have to put one of my own resources back in that booth. This way, there will always be 5 resource tiles available at the marketplace.
I can only trade with the marketplace once during my turn. If I still want to trade more, then I can trade with the stockpile.
“Once 5 tiles of the same type are in the marketplace, they are removed and put back in the stockpile. Then, just like at the beginning of the game, one of each resource is placed on the marketplace booths”.
A New Way to Trade
Here’s another way to get the resources you need: trade directly with the stockpile! Just choose one resource tile from the stockpile and give back two of your own tiles in return. Make sure the two tiles you give back are a matched pair. You can trade with the stockpile as many times as you want.
Let’s say you want a wood tile. You can put two goat tiles into the stockpile and take one wood tile in return.
The Game Ends
The game ends as soon as someone builds all 7 pirates’ lairs. That player is the winner! And hey, building a pirates’ lair on Spooky Island counts too!
Here’s an extra rule for advanced players:
Trade with Your Opponents
When you’re playing with expert level, forget about the marketplace. Instead, you can trade resource tiles with the other players. Pretty cool, huh?
If it’s my turn, I can trade resource tiles with the other players. Let’s say I want to build a ship and need 1 wood tile and 1 goat tile. I already have 1 goat tile, but I don’t have a wood tile.
But I do have a cutlass tile that I don’t need right now. So I can ask the other players if anyone wants to trade a wood tile for my cutlass tile. If someone agrees, we can swap the two tiles.
All trades must be 1 resource for 1 resource, but I can do this as many times as I want during my turn.
Remember, though, I can only trade with the player whose turn it is. Players who are not taking their turns cannot trade with each other.