Volcano Scenarios
The Volcano hex is one of my personal favorites. It’s incredibly versatile as an expansion as there have been many rule adaptations and scenarios, both official and unofficial, that use the hex.
- Volcano (Single Volcano Scenario)
- Volcano Island (Multiple Volcano Scenario)
- Awaken the Dragon Scenario
- Thar Be Dragons Seafarer Scenario
- Catakatoa (2007) from Mayfair Games’ 2007 scenario design contest
- Catakatoa (2005) from Game Trade Magazine (Scan of the scenario is available from CatanCollector.com)


Volcano Scenario (2021) – By Tabletop Monthly
Required Supplies:
- Catan Game
- Volcano Hex
Setup:
- Replace the Desert Hex with the Volcano Hex.
- Initial settlements may not be built on the Volcano Hex.
Instructions:
- Production: The volcano produces resources when a 7 is rolled. Players with a settlement receive one resource of their choice. Cities produce two resources (the two resources must be the same). After producing, the volcano erupts.
- Eruption: Roll one die. Any settlement built on that number of the volcano is destroyed and any city there is reduced to a settlement.
- If the player has no remaining settlements, then the city is laid on its side and works as a settlement unless it is upgraded again, or a settlement becomes available.
- City walls, if applicable, are destroyed with the city.
- If there is a metropolis on the city, move it to another city. When no other cities are available, return the metropolis temporarily to your stock. It can be placed back when a city is built if another player has not yet taken it.
Volcano Island (2021) – By Tabletop Monthly
This variation allows for the use of multiple volcanos.
Required Supplies:
- Catan Game
- Volcano Hex(es)
- 1x Number Token per Volcano
Setup:
- Replace standard game hex(s) with Volcano Hex(es)
- Place Number Token on each Volcano Hex
- Initial settlements may not be built on the Volcano Hex(es)
Instructions:
- Production: The volcano produces resources when it is rolled. Players with a settlement receive one resource of their choice. Cities produce two resources (the two resources must be the same). After producing, the volcano erupts.
- Eruption: Roll one die. Any settlement built on that number of the volcano is destroyed and any city there is reduced to a settlement.
- If the player has no remaining settlements, then the city is laid on its side and works as a settlement unless it is upgraded again, or a settlement becomes available.
- City walls, if applicable, are destroyed with the city.
- If there is a metropolis on the city, move it to another city. When no other cities are available, return the metropolis temporarily to your stock. It can be placed back when a city is built if another player has not yet taken it.
Catakatoa (2007)
This scenario was the example entry provided for Mayfair Games’ scenario design contest in 2007. It was never officially published and is different than the Catakatoa scenario published in the March 2005 edition of Game Trade Magazine.
Required Supplies:
- Base Catan Game
- Volcano Hex
- Extra Set of Number Tokens (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11,12)
Setup:
- Replace the Desert Hex with the Volcano Hex.
- Arrange the Extra Set of Number Tokens in numerical order on top of the volcano hex.
Instructions:
- Production: The volcano produces resources on a roll matching the topmost number token on the volcano. Players with a settlement receive one resource of their choice. Cities produce two resources (the two resources do not need to be the same). After producing, the volcano erupts.
- Eruption: Roll one die. Any settlement built on that number of the volcano is destroyed and any city there is reduced to a settlement; if the player has no remaining settlements, then the city is destroyed. The topmost number token from the volcano is then removed.
- Explosion: If no number tokens remain after a volcano eruption, then the volcano explodes. All buildings and roads built on the Volcano Hex are destroyed. Flip the hex or replace it with the Desert Hex. The Robber is no longer in play once the volcano explodes. However, if a 7 is rolled or a Knight Card is played, the player still steals a resource from any other player.
Game End:
- Game is to 10 points.
Awaken the Dragon (2021) – By Tabletop Monthly
A dragon is stealing resources and terrorizing the island. Can you muster an army brave and strong enough to banish the dragon and protect your growing civilization?
Required Supplies:
- Catan Game
- Volcano Hex
- Dragon Robber
- Treasure Tokens (1 or more)
Setup:
- Replace Desert Hex with Volcano Hex
- Place Dragon on Volcano Hex
- Place Treasure on Volcano Hex
- Remove Robber from the game
- Remove the Largest Army bonus card from the game
Instructions:
- Awaken the Dragon: When a player rolls a 7, the Dragon awakes from her slumber. The player will roll a single die twice to determine where the Dragon lands.
- First Roll: The Dragon will travel in the direction that is clockwise to the number rolled relative to the numbers on the Volcano hex. For example, a roll of 6 will have the Dragon travel in the direction between the 6 and the 1 on the Volcano.
- First Roll: The Dragon will travel in the direction that is clockwise to the number rolled relative to the numbers on the Volcano hex. For example, a roll of 6 will have the Dragon travel in the direction between the 6 and the 1 on the Volcano.
- Second Roll: The Dragon will move the number of hexes equal to the roll of the die, skipping the Volcano hex, If the Dragon flies off one end of the board, it reappears on the opposite end of the board and continues in the indicated direction.
- The Dragon Lands: When the Dragon lands, any player with at least one Knight and a settlement or city on the hex may attempt to Vanquish the Dragon (See Vanquish the Dragon below). If the Dragon is not slain, then the Dragon will attack.
- The Dragon Attacks: Each player with a settlement or city on the occupied hex loses resource cards. The dragon destroys one resource card for a settlement and two for a city. Resource cards are chosen at random from the player to their left. The stolen cards are returned to the bank.
- Vanquishing the Dragon: When the Dragon lands on a hex, or during a player’s subsequent turn(s), a player with at least one Knight and a Settlement or City on the hex may attempt to Vanquish the Dragon. When landing, if more than one player wishes to attack the Dragon, the player with the most Knights in play goes first. In case of a tie, the player with the least Victory Points goes first.
To Vanquish the Dragon, the player will roll one die. If their number of Knights is equal to or greater than the number rolled, the Dragon is vanquished back to the Volcano and no resources are stolen from other players. The player receives 1 Treasure Token (worth 1 VP) and 3 resource cards from the bank. If the player is unable to Vanquish the Dragon, they keep their Knights and can try again on their next turn. - Banishing the Dragon: After Vanquishing the Dragon, if the final Treasure Tokens is removed from the Volcano Hex, then the dragon has been banished from the island. Removed from the dragon from the board for the remainder of the game.