Heading for New Shores is one of the scenarios included in the Seafarers expansion. In this scenario, players start on a small island and must explore the surrounding waters to discover new islands and expand their settlements.
The new islands may contain valuable resources and opportunities for trade, but they also bring new challenges such as pirates and rough seas.
To win, Catan Seafarers Heading for New Shores, players must reach a set number of victory points by building settlements, cities, and roads, as well as by completing various objectives related to exploration and trade. Played with 3-4 players, Heading for New Shores typically takes 60-90 minutes to complete.
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How To Play Catan Seafarers Heading for New Shores
The game board consists of a central island surrounded by water tiles. Each player starts with two settlements and two roads on the central island.
Shuffle the gold field tiles and randomly place them on the central island. These tiles produce double the resources when the corresponding number is rolled.
During their turn, players can use their ships to explore the sea and discover new islands. Players can move their ships up to two sea hexes away from the coast of the central island. If they land on an unexplored island, they can place a settlement and start building.
Each turn, the player who rolls the dice distributes resources to all players based on their settlements and cities. If a player has a settlement or city adjacent to a resource hex that produces resources that match the number rolled, they receive those resources.
Players can use their resources to build new settlements, cities, and roads, as well as to trade with other players or the bank.
The first player to reach a set number of victory points (determined by the number of players) wins the game. Earn Victory Points by building settlements, cities, and roads, as well as by completing various objectives related to exploration and trade.
Some islands may be home to pirates, which can steal resources or block trade routes. Players can use their knights to protect their ships and settlements from pirate attacks.
What Comes With The Scenario
This is what come with the Heading for New Shores expansion.
Water tiles
The scenario includes 19 water tiles, used to surround the central island and create a larger playing area. Featuring double-sided water tiles, one side with ocean waves and the other side calm seas.
Frame pieces
The expansion comes with 9 frame pieces that fit around the edges of the water tiles to create the board. Also double-sided tiles, one side features beaches, the other rocky shores.
Resource hexes
There are 11 terrain hexes that produce resources such as lumber, brick, wool, grain, and ore. The distribution of the hexes is the same as in the base game.
Number tokens
18 number tokens that are placed on the resource hexes to determine which numbers will produce resources when rolled. The distribution of the numbers is the same as in the base game.
Development cards
The expansion comes with a set of development cards that can be purchased with resources and provide various benefits such as victory points, resource bonuses, or the ability to move the robber. The development cards are the same as in the base game.
Ships
The scenario introduces ships, which are used to explore the sea and connect settlements and cities on different islands. Players start with two ships and can build more using wood and wool.
Settlers
The game includes 20 settlers, which are the small houses that represent player settlements. Players start with two settlements and can build more using resources.
City upgrades
There are 4 city upgrades, which are the larger houses that represent upgraded settlements. Players can upgrade their settlements using resources to gain more resources and victory points.
Roads
A set of roads that are used to connect settlements and cities on the same island or different islands. Players start with two roads and can build more using wood and brick.
Knights
This expansion introduces knights, these are used to protect against pirate attacks. Players can move their knights to protect their ships and settlements from pirate raids.
Event cards
The game includes a set of event cards that provide various events that can impact the game, such as “calm seas” or “pirate attack.” Players draw an event card at the beginning of their turn and resolve the event.
Victory point cards
A set of victory point cards that provide additional victory points when certain objectives are met, such as having the longest trade route or the largest army.
How To Set Up Heading for New Shores
- First, assemble the board by placing the 19 water tiles and 9 frame pieces to form a larger playing area than in the base game.
- Place the 11 resource hexes on the board, following the same distribution as in the base game.
- Place the number tokens on the resource hexes, following the same distribution as in the base game.
- Shuffle the development cards and place them face down on the table to create a draw pile.
- Give each player 2 ships, 2 settlements, and 2 roads of their color. They should place their settlements and roads on the central island as in the base game.
- Shuffle the event cards and place them face down on the table to create a draw pile.
- Place the 4 city upgrades and the victory point cards next to the development card draw pile.
- Each player should place one of their ships on any edge of the central island that has a harbor icon. The harbor icon indicates that the player can receive a special trade advantage when they build a settlement adjacent to the harbor.
- The player who rolled the highest number goes first.
- Draw the top event card and resolve its effects before the first player takes their turn.
How To Win Victory Points In The Heading For New Shores, Scenario
In the “Seafarers: Heading for New Shores” scenario of the Catan Seafarers expansion, players can earn victory points in several ways:
Build settlements and cities
Each settlement is worth 1 victory point, while each city upgrade is worth 2 victory points. Players can build settlements and cities on the central island or on the smaller islands connected by ships and roads.
Have the longest trade route
The player with the longest continuous chain of connected roads or ships earns 2 victory points. However the trade route must be at least 5 segments long to count.
Build the largest army
The player with the most knights on the board earns 2 victory points. To have the largest army. Although a player must have more knights than any other player and at least 3 knights in total.
Victory point cards
The scenario includes a set of victory point cards that provide additional victory points when certain objectives are met, such as having the longest trade route or the largest army. These cards are purchased using resources and provide 1 or 2 victory points each.
Development cards
The development card deck includes various cards that can provide victory points, such as the “Victory Point” card. Players can purchase development cards using resources and hope to draw a card that gives them a victory point.
The first player to reach 10 victory points wins the game. Keep in mind that the “Seafarers: Heading for New Shores” scenario includes new gameplay elements such as ships and knights, so players will need to adapt their strategies to take advantage of these new opportunities for earning victory points.
How To Win The The Heading For New Shores, Scenario
To win the “Seafarers: Heading for New Shores” scenario in the Catan Seafarers expansion, a player needs to be the first to reach 10 victory points. Here are some tips to help you achieve victory:
- Focus on building settlements and cities.
- Pay attention to the longest trade route.
- Build knights to earn the largest army.
- Purchase victory point cards cards and try to purchase them when you can.
- Use development cards to your advantage.
In Conclusion
This scenario is an exciting addition to Catan Seafarers that offers a new angle to play by. By focusing on these strategies, you can increase your chances of earning victory points and ultimately winning the “Seafarers: Heading for New Shores” scenario in Catan Seafarers. Good luck and have fun!
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