#44: The Rivals for Catan (Mark's 100 - 2014)

The Rivals for Catan

Mark's Ranking

• 2014: 44th
• 2012: 18th
• 2010: 90th (as The Catan Card Game)
• 2005: 81st (as The Catan Card Game)

BoardGameGeek

• rank: 438
• rating: 7.17

Print Status

• in print

Why It's On The List

• This is a streamlined & MUCH improved version of the 2 player Catan Card Game (which I first played - with German cards! - as Siedler von Catan: Das Kartenspiel).

Tips & Tricks:

• The expansions are both very good... and add a lot of variety to the game.
• You can NOT neglect building at least 2 settlements... that's really the only "don't miss" strategy tip.
• This is, like many games with lots of cards w/effects, a game that plays quicker & with many more interesting decisions once you've played it a few times to get to know what the cards can (and can't) do. I strongly suggest playing the introductory game followed almost immediately by a "regular" game with the Age of Gold deck in order to begin learning the system and the basic cards.
• Notice how far up this game jumped in my top 100 due to the new version... I'm the president of the "Rivals kicked Siedler:DSK to the curb" society.
• I have now played the iOS version - it's not perfect but the AI is pretty good and I'm glad I own it.

Extras

• I wrote incredibly in-depth reviews of the base game and of the expansions for the Opinionated Gamers (which were then re-published on this blog)... the first one is particularly aimed at those who were wondering if they should make the switch from the original game.