A tip for the start: one should take time. :-) Before it's time to play, time is only unpacked. Connected with this is the sorting of different platelets in ten small plastic bags (good storage because so nothing gets muddled up, but a system with compartments in the game box would have been nicer and quality). Then the remaining tiles one looks for still together from the base game. Next, you begin to study the games instructions. Here, you quickly realize that "explorers and pirates" comes up with lots of new variants. In order not to completely overwhelm the players, therefore, in the Description advised the scenarios that build on each other and each always include a new feature to play one after the other in order to familiarize yourself with the various rules and options. This takes time (two nights with me :-).
ATTENTION: at the forefront is pointed out on the instructions that the game is not compatible with the original base game as the frame parts in the later versions of 2003 and 2010 (both of which have plastic figures) are missing. I have the game yet combined with the first version. It went when you improvise a bit. Although the timber settlements stylistically not fit with the rest set, but that does not really matter. The frame parts are missing and I just helped me out with some of the normal "water boxes" of the base game. That was actually quite good. According to the manufacturer, there is the possibility to order the frame parts on the Cosmos website.
A photo shows the game without the frame parts I uploaded, then you get an idea what it looks like (see: Scenario 1: Land in sight).
Scenario 1 Land ahoy:
Land in sight brings in a the most important rules for the new expansion. Discovered the building of port cities, ships, settlers and how to land. (Exciting it is only in the second scenario). (See photo. Scenario 1: Land in sight)
Scenario 2 The pirate camp:
In this scenario, pirates come into play. There are pirate camp, waiting to be discovered and conquered. This pirate camp located on the goldfields, the only raw materials drop, once the pirate camp was conquered. In addition to gaining victory points by capturing. (See photo: Scenario 2)
Scenario 3 fish for Catan:
Here you have the possibility to establish itself as a trader and to supply the Catan council with fish. This also leads to the production of victory points.
Scenario 4 spices for Catan:
In this scenario, you build trade relations, can provide several advantages, such as faster journey by ship or an advantage over foreign pirate ships.
Scenario 5 explorers & pirates:
In Scenario 5, all new features are now included. You play with both pirate ships and pirates camps, as well as the dealer Options (fish and spices). That the various scenarios based on each other and introduce new options consecutively is very well done (as if you unlock new levels in a computer game), this will not completely overwhelmed from the start. Generally one can say that the "card" with each scenario increases (ergo catch at a large table to play, otherwise you will run out of space).
Conclusion: I like the new extension very well and because there's just a lot of new possibilities and variations as you can earn victory points. Different players may have different tactics. While raking in a focused on gold in the pirate camps, builds another busy ports or wins by getting a "monopoly". The game offers a lot of variety and fun (it's above all for two much fun.)
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