Victory points are the means to winning in The Settlers of Catan and most of it's scenarios. You accumulate victory points, or VP, by building cities and settlements, earning special victory point cards like Largest Army, or completing scenario specific goals. As you explore the official and unofficial scenarios there will be a multitude of ways to earn victory points and learning how to take advantage of those ways is crucial to... well, victory. In addition different ways to earn victory points there are also different amounts needed to win a given scenario. For a base game, 10 VP is all it takes to win.