This scenario is played according to the rules of the expansions "Cities & Knights" and "Seafarers" (without the pirat). The first player to reach 21 victory points (in a 3-player game) or 18 victory points (in a 4-player game) on his turn wins. The reformed rule for the robber applies (the robber may be moved only upon or after the first barbarian attack).
Knights may only be built on the home island. In this scenario, they are used in multiple ways.
1. Use as Canal BuildersAs soon as at least two activated knights stand on the intersections of a marked terrain hex, a canal is excavated. If the activated knights belong to one player, he receives two victory points; If the activated knights belong to different players, each of the two players receives one victory point. This action does not deactivate the knights.
Please note: The canal is built immediately after the second knight is activated. Therefore, it is not possible for a third player to activate a knight around the hex before the canal is built. The strength of a knight does not matter for canal building.
2. Use as Gold DiggersIf a player has a ship route to an intersection of a gold field on the small islands, he may move a knight onto this intersection. As long as the knight stands on this intersection, the player receives any 1 resource of his choice each time an "8" is rolled. For the player to receive the resource, the knight does not have to be activated. If a player has 2 knights at a gold field, he still only receives any 1 resource of his choice when an "8" is rolled.
3. Use as MerchantsIf a player has moved a knight onto a harbor intersection of the small islands, he may use the advantage of the corresponding special harbor. For the player to use this advantage, the knight does not have to be activated.
Important: The knights on the small islands do not count for defense against the barbarians.
There are 9 canal sections in total. Is only one section missing at the end of a turn, it is built automatically. No victory points are awarded for this. Now the fields produce grain again. The knights on the small islands lose their function as gold diggers, but retain their function as a merchant.
The player who gains at first 21 victory points in a three, or 18 in a four, player match wins the game.
This scenario "Der große Kanal" was first released in Catan News 2003.