Pressing forward in the desert

If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a vast desert, you know how overwhelming and daunting it can be. The hot sun bears down on you, making every step harder, and the horizon stretches out endlessly before you. It can be disorienting and challenging, to say the least.

As I gaze out across the expanse of sand and rocks, I can’t help but wonder how anyone could survive in such a harsh environment. The desert is a place of extremes, where life can thrive and perish all at once.

But as challenging as it may be, the desert is also a place of beauty and wonder. The colors of the sand shift and change with the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing display. The silence of the desert is both eerie and peaceful, allowing for a moment of reflection and introspection.

When you find yourself in the desert, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help you navigate this unforgiving landscape. First and foremost, hydration is key. The desert heat can quickly deplete your body of water, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and replenish your electrolytes.

Next, it’s crucial to protect yourself from the sun’s rays. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved clothing, and sunscreen can go a long way in preventing sunburn and heatstroke. The desert sun can be relentless, so taking precautions is essential.

But even with all the challenges and risks involved, there’s something truly exhilarating about exploring the desert. The vastness of the landscape and the solitude it offers can be both humbling and empowering. It’s a reminder of the indomitable spirit of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.

So the next time you find yourself in the desert, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and reflect on its challenges. Embrace the duality of this unique environment, and let it inspire you to press forward, knowing that you have the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle.

Far away, on the western side of Catan, a brand new island has been discovered. The name given to this island is “Desert Island,” as a vast desert divides it into two distinct parts. Shortly after establishing the first settlements on the larger section of the island, scouts stumbled upon a fertile land on the other side of the desert.

At the same time, ships came across smaller islands that were teeming with gold and ore deposits.

Now, the question arises: who among us will be the first to construct new settlements and where should they be built?

Driven by audacity, some settlers venture forth to conquer the merciless desert. Others race against each other to reach the smaller islands, hoping to build settlements and transform them into thriving cities.

But how do we set the stage for this exciting adventure?

To begin, let’s set up the game map as instructed in the scenario diagram that corresponds to the number of players. For three players, follow the 3-player set-up, and for four players, use the 4-player set-up.

What You Need to Know About the Island Game

So, here’s the deal: there’s this awesome island game that I want to tell you about. It’s super cool and fun, and I think you’ll love it!

First things first, let’s talk about the set-up phase. The game board is divided into two parts: a small land strip and a main island. The small land strip is on the upper right side and it’s separated from the main island by a desert zone. On that small land strip, there are 4 players and they have different fields, mountains, and gold fields to play with. On the main island, there are also 4 players, but there are different fields, forests, and gold fields for them.

Now, when it comes to building your settlements, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: you can only build your first two settlements (along with roads or ships) on the main island. The smaller islands and the small land strip are considered foreign areas. So make sure to plan your strategy accordingly!

Oh, and speaking of settlements on the coast, if you decide to build one there, you have the option to place a ship instead of a road next to it. This means you can set sail right away and explore the open sea!

Now, let’s talk about the pirate and the robber. In this game, you’ll be dealing with both of them. The robber starts on one of the three deserts, while the pirate starts on the sea hex with the pirate ship symbol. Keep an eye out for them and strategize accordingly!

I’m excited to share some special victory points with you! When you build your first settlement in one of the “foreign” areas like the small islands or the land strip, you get TWO special victory points. Isn’t that awesome? Just be sure to place 2 Catan chits under your settlement when you build it. It doesn’t matter if another player already has a settlement there – you still get those special points! And guess what? In this scenario, each player can earn up to 8 Special Victory Points. How cool is that?

Now let’s talk about the end of the game. It’s pretty simple – as soon as a player reaches 14 victory points on their turn, the game is over. So keep an eye on those points and strive for victory!

But before we wrap up, let’s touch on variable set-up. The main island and the foreign areas can be set up just like in a regular Catan game. So get creative and have fun arranging the board to make it as challenging and exciting as possible. Good luck on your Catan adventures!

Alright, let’s get this game set up! Here’s what you need to do:

First, I want you to take the 3 desert hexes and put them in the spots that are marked on the set-up diagram. There are two diagrams, one for when you have 3 players and one for when you have 4 players. Make sure you use the right one!

Okay, now it’s time to place the “main island” terrain hexes and the harbor tokens. You’re going to put them on the main island, but you need to follow the positions on the set-up diagram.

After that, you’re going to take the 8 sea hexes (or 10 if there are 4 players) and put them next to the main island. Again, look at the set-up diagram to see where they go.

Finally, I want you to randomly put the main island number tokens on the land hexes. Mix them up and place them however you like!

Setting Up the Foreign Islands

Hey there! Let’s talk about the “foreign islands” setup. You’ll notice there are some terrain hexes outlined in red on the set-up diagrams – a total of 10 (or 12 if you have 4 players). Those are your “foreign area” terrain hexes. Make sure to randomly place them in those designated areas. And don’t forget about the number tokens! You’ll need to place them randomly on the land hexes. Easy peasy, right?

Just one thing: If you’re going for a variable setup, avoid placing the red number tokens (that’s the 6s and 8s) on neighboring hexes. It’s a no-no! Also, stay away from those gold fields. No red number tokens there either.