Candamir: The First Settlers

Explore early Catan with a new movement system, gather goods, survive wild animals and grow your character.

Designer: Klaus Teuber
Published by: KOSMOS
Editions by: Mayfair Games, Piatnik, Zvezda

Candamir: The First Settlers (2004) takes you back to before the cities of Catan existed. Designed by Klaus Teuber, it keeps the world but drops most of the familiar mechanics. You play newcomers who explore the island with a new movement system, hunting for the raw materials and natural products the first settlement needs. Along the way you meet wild animals and run into adventurous situations. Survive them and you gain both goods and experience points that make your character stronger, smarter or more charming. Back in the village, what you found becomes progress. It is for two to four players and runs around two hours, more adventure than the base game.

Set in the Catan world, designed by Klaus TeuberNew movement system for explorationExperience points improve your character

Who it's for

You know Catan and want to see the same world with exploration and a character that grows.

Not for you if…

You expect the dice-and-trade game from the Catan base box. This one plays quite differently.

Vibe's take

Part exploration, part character growth. You set out, push your luck against the wilds and return to the village with goods and experience, which feels more like an adventure than a trading duel.