I have some spare 3D hexes from buying an incomplete 2005 3D set when adding 5/6/7 players, to my original 2005 3D play set, I decided to use some of these spare hexes and start modifying them to add special hexes from the 2D set into the 3D game. My first attempt is this volcano hex.
After this my plan will be to create a 3D set for The Great River. (UPDATE See October update below)
I had also been looking at buying hexes to add Seafarers to my 2005 set but I have put this on hold. I have been advised by a very reliable German contact to wait and see what news might come from Catan in the next few months. There were no details, just a cryptic suggestion that there might be a product which would solve this problem for me. (see June update below)
VOLCANO HEX SCENARIO
Base Game/Seafarers
For the base game with seafarers I am happy to use the Catakatoa rules. Basically this mean the vocano becomes a risky gold hex. The fun bit is you have a set of the number tokens stacked to the side. Starting at 2 and going through to 12. When a number is thrown people earn resources and the number is removed so the next one is visible, When this next number is thrown, it too is removed after it has paid out. This carries on until a 12 is thrown and then there are no numbers left and the volcano no longer produces resources.
Base/Seafarers/Cities & Knights
When playing C&K I want to use the volcano hex as part of a scenario involving replacing the robber with a dragon. The idea to do this came from a Dragon scenario by Table Top Monthly for the base game called "Awaken the Dragon". My own custom version will be called "Repel the Dragon".
With my C&K version the Dragon still replaces the robber and attacks when a 7 is thrown. Also the landing hex is still determined by dice throws. Building next to the volcano does not earn resources.
However where it differs is that each person with a settlement adjoining the attacked hex individually chooses whether to fight the dragon using their own total number of active knights on the board. The dragons strength is decided by a third roll of the dice AFTER a decision is made to fight.
If you choose not to fight you lose two cards at random from your hand. If you fight the dragon and win you gain precious gems from the Dragon's horde (that equal one VP) and you take a resource card of your choice - if you fight and lose you lose one knight and a number of resources based on how big a loss you have. For example if the Dragon throws a five and you have two active knights, you lose three cards at random (5-2=3)
The dragon remains on the hex until the player who awakened it starts their next turn. Then it flies home and returns to the volcano to wait for its next attack. Or it may move immediately if another 7 is thrown first. There are a total of 10 victory points available for beating the Dragon. Once depleted, the Dragon is banished and leaves the game. The game ends when someone reaches 16 Victory Points.
UPDATE: June 2022
My German contact was 100% correct and a new combined Seafarers/C&K set will be released later this year for the new 2021 3D catan game. I will be sure to post lots of pics of 3dgames once I have a set here in New Zealand. Sadly this is likely to be many months after it is released in the USA and Europe thanks to slow shipping!!!
Nov 2022: The Seafarers/C&K set arrived and is beautiful. Very pleased with it and having seafarers will probably mean I use my 2005 3D set less.
Oct 2023: I managed to get a second Seafarers set at a much reduced price, along with 10 extra sea hexes. This, along with my score of 2 more cheap 3D base sets, will give me the ability to make much larger boards
UPDATE: October 2022
I have now added the Great River to my 2005 3D set. I had the spare hexes from the damaged 2005 set I bought so thought why not modify them. Still a bit of weathering and touches to add to the river, but happy with the result so far.