Out of the mountains, a great river flows. It is rich in gold, which it deposits along its banks. Each Cataner seeks to build settlements and roads along the banks of the river in order to find the gold in their search for victory.

• 1 x River Card (3 hexes)
• 30 x Gold Chits

For 3 to 4 players. Ideal for adding to the Catan base game. Can also be used with Seafarers and Cities & Knights

Preparation:

The river extends over three resource hexes: the mountain hex with the source, the hill
hex with the middle part of the river, and the swamp hex which borders the sea.

• First, place the swamp hex so that it fits properly with the coastline. The hill hex must fit properly with the swamp, and the mountain hex must fit properly to that.
• Return the 3 unused hexes back into the box: one mountain hex, one hill hex, and the desert hex. They will not be used.
• The remaining resource hexes are set up following the normal rules. The swamp hex does not receive a number chit.
• The Robber begins the game on the swamp hex.
• Players may not place their first two settlements on the swamp hex.

Rules

The game is played using the normal rules with the following additions:

• For each road or settlement built on the corner or intersection of the river, the player receives one gold chit. For any player who builds a settlement on the river delta, they receive 2 gold chits.
• For every 3 gold chits, a player earns 1 Victory Point.
• The first player to earn 12 or more Victory Points wins the game.
• In the event of a tie, the first player to reach 13 Victory Points wins the game.
• With “Seafarers”:
  As with roads, ships built along the swamp receive one gold chit. If a ship moves away from the swamp hex, the player must return the gold chit.
• With “Cities & Knights”:
  Knights built or stationed on river intersections do not receive gold chits. Otherwise, the above rules apply

Copyright: A scenario by Klaus  Teuber

The Great River does have some different versions and rule sets. The more complicated one is included with Traders and Barbarians. Click here to read a little of the history of the scenario.