Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness

About this expansion

Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness is a 90-card expansion for two players that adds three separate theme sets to The Rivals for Catan, with games lasting about 75 minutes.

Each theme set introduces a different challenge and can be used with the base game. Choose the Era of Intrigue to shape Catan’s spiritual balance as followers of new and old beliefs confront one another. Religious Dispute makes both players lose cards, while Churches and Temples help reduce those losses and improve access to your own draw stacks.

Church cards can lure opposing heroes and earn gold. With both a Church and a Temple, you may build the Great Thing stead and bring the conflict to an end.

In the Era of Merchant Princes, the struggle centers on trade advantage. Commercial Harbor and Merchant’s Residences are decisive buildings, while Maritime Trade Monopolies and Master Merchants enhance trade ships. The Shipbuilder reduces the cost of building ships, creating opportunities for clever card combinations and commercial dominance.

The Era of Barbarians turns attention to defense. Use Castles, Border Fortresses, the Strategist, the Caravel, and new heroes to withstand barbarian attacks while also resisting your rival’s efforts to dominate your holdings.

• Era of Intrigue: religious conflict, Churches, Temples, and the Great Thing
• Era of Merchant Princes: trade buildings, enhanced ships, and reduced shipbuilding costs
• Era of Barbarians: fortifications, new heroes, and defenses against attacks

With its three focused theme sets, Rivals for Catan: Age of Darkness broadens the card-driven contest with distinct paths involving belief, commerce, and defense.