Skip to main content

Independent setup utility

Through the Desert

A desert crossing board that can follow its illustration or shuffle the published variable pools.

Players
3–4
Required games
CATAN + Seafarers
Board choices
Illustrated board · Variable board

What you can generate

Choose 3 or 4 players and the board option shown above. The illustrated board keeps the desert crossing shown in the rulebook. The variable board shuffles only the pieces assigned to the published areas. An unsupported choice is reported clearly instead of being changed for you.

  • Players: 3–4
  • Required games: CATAN + Seafarers
  • Board choices: Illustrated board; Variable board
  • Setup guidance: The board follows the arrangement shown in the rulebook. Only the rulebook-defined variable areas are shuffled. Harbor types may also be mixed when that setup permits it.
  • Use the setup inventory to gather tiles, number discs, ports, markers, and supplied pieces before play.

At the table

The illustrated option keeps the desert crossing shown in the rulebook. The variable option changes only the pieces assigned to its published areas. Place the supplied starting pieces and victory-point supply with the board, then use the rulebook for the crossing and scoring rules.

Source reference

CATAN — Seafarers Rulebook, 2025 sixth edition, pages 10–11.