In Catan, players take on the role of settlers, each striving to build and develop holdings on the uncharted island of Catan. The game board is made up of hexagonal tiles that represent different types of land, each producing one of five resources: brick, lumber, ore, grain, and wool. Players use these resources to build roads, settlements, and cities, which in turn earn them points. The first player to reach 10 points wins the game.
Catan, originally titled The Settlers of Catan, was designed by Klaus Teuber and released in 1995 by Kosmos. The game quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, credited with popularizing modern Eurogames. Catan has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres, and has spawned several expansions, spin-offs, and digital versions.
Game history
Game historyGame history
Hints and tips
Hints and tipsHints and tips
Balanced Resource Access
Ensure your initial settlements cover a variety of resources, especially brick and wood for early expansion. Aim for good numbers (5-9) for consistent resource generation.
Prioritize Expansion
Quickly build roads and settlements to claim key spots before other players. This limits their options and gives you access to more resources.
Trade Wisely
Be strategic with trades. Don’t give away resources that could enable opponents to build crucial structures. Sometimes, it’s better to hold out for a better trade.
Use Development Cards
Don’t neglect development cards; they can provide victory points, knights to move the robber, or other strategic advantages.
Block Opponents: Use the robber strategically to block opponents’ key resource tiles, especially if they’re close to winning or if they monopolize a resource.
Adapt Your Strategy
Be flexible. If you’re blocked from expanding in one direction, pivot to another strategy, like focusing on cities or development cards.
The official website for Catan, providing information about the game, its expansions, and how to play. It also includes a store for purchasing the game and related products.
An online platform for playing Catan digitally. It offers the ability to play various versions of Catan online with friends or against AI, along with a community forum and game tutorials.