![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s5-OdKVz5bhcDt1erBm2xfDebOxt70rv-VxlWzoGUc0zRbHnl_AzCB8Qm9hUFPdj8Qlj8a-DaCLfMimYrTTGzksIP079PfWidb9A8M2z0T-GknQy8J-Y_G1w=s0-d) |
Wood |
![Catanimal Plush Wheat](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_twzzuT7X42NulJ19lv8Z_JGVj2Z4OOtMId1Zsg2OpCangmhqc3LjcTNDycNz23riZqFVEoOG4nk3X9wSGJNxaypL4RWvBpAsA-OJg9RtPfEtikvsaLedpD1vNs=s0-d) |
Wheat |
Recently, Mayfair announced the release of Catanimals (Yes, I know that looks like "Cat Animals" but it's actually (Catan-Animals). It's hardly a fitting name because only one of them is an animal, the sheep. For those not familiar with Settlers of Catan (scoff), there are five primary resources to the core game: Wood, Sheep, Brick, Wheat, and Ore. Each one has been transformed into a stuffed plush toy. Check them out:
First, appearance.
The wood is pretty unique. It looks like wood and I like how the mouth is the crack between the pieces of wood.
The ore looks more like a smiling lump of coal or a grey raincloud. Pass.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_selDNV6TXikyEZZ8jiZdHkL9Hk-p02hDxyPcYJr3Odk7vs23t1zS8k334rjQP7T4nC2NDXIfw384LGr0ViKDcUXpIq0bGxy0O1x_WWaiNxosFdpKaMUBP7zrQ=s0-d) |
Sheep |
The sheep looks really good but who hasn't seen a stuffed sheep before? Not original enough.
The bricks look very orange in the picture, not red. They also look shy for some reason.
The wheat reminds me of a bunch of yellow broccoli for some reason. I expect it to start singing and dancing to inform me about the dangers of poor nutrition. What are those white things on the side? Hands? Ears? Wings?
![Catanimal Plush Brick](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sXhFtgKXCoMyIZgktG6kFVlV2NsTG1iKZe5DLM4a8PeSTZaBhWvx6lu9vCUYAkZzPY4FEen2RcKHMKGQJq0HNz5CVlaJcsz8aLQpTZ_Yx3EClyAAqa9YUcAsSP=s0-d) |
Brick |
Now, these may be cute and the extremely die-hard completionist Catan collector may have to have all five. But for Mayfair to offer alternate gaming rules based on the use of Catanimals in-game borders on ludicrous.. Here's how it works: Be the first to have 3 "points" in any one resource and you get to cuddle up to the corresponding Catanimal! You earn one point by building a settlement next to a resource tile and upgrading that settlement to a city adds an additional point. By earning a Catanimal, you get an additional victory point in-game. Using these alternate rules, Mayfair suggests playing to 12 victory points with 3-4 players and 11 victory points with 5-6 players.
![Catanimal Plush Ore](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sZjUw4dUYNNb3uktIk98HwGMCpCljDxE-Jze8NoSAjgsGuwD5UNk6h4mCpgONsDWX4lxH-Xaema0VrJK5lWwhE9xzyUxoCDoWnwwODwK1gh2BuXo9whNexbg=s0-d) |
Ore |
The prices on these things range from $4.00 to $8.00 each online... Check out
http://www.scifigenre.com/itemDetail.aspx?nItemID=96719 for the lowest price I've seen if you've GOT to have them.
Myself, I would say if you wanted to play with these alternate rules, use a brick, a rock from your back yard, a stick, a ball of wool, and some straw or hay in a baggie. Or, just write the words WOOD, BRICK, WHEAT, SHEEP, and ORE on index cards. There. I just saved you $40.