Basic Information
No of Players: 3-4 (can add more with expansions)
Age: 10+
Time: 60 min
Price High
Introduction to Catan
Catan is one of the most well-known ‘hardcore’ board games. It is one of the original four European style board games that started the board game movement back in the early 2000s. It’s fairly simple rules and resource management mechanics make it an easy game to teach, and a fun challenge to play. Catan is a classic and a much have in any board game collection.
How to Play Catan
Catan is a resource management game where you win once you obtain 10 victory points. You first set up the board by randomly placing tiles in a hexagon shape and then boarder that with the ocean pieces. Each tile, and ship icon, is then assigned a random value. The next stage is the most important part of the entire game, where you place your initial settlements. You will place two of each, starting with the person who rolled the highest placing the first road and village, then moving to the next player and the nest in the order of 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1. This initial placement determines your starting resources but also where you can build to later in the game. Each player then rolls the dice and then every player gains resources of the corresponding tiles if they have a settlement there. If you roll a 7, you move the robber to any tile on the board, and that tile cannot produce resources until the robber is moved again. Naturally some people will have more of one type of resource than others, so players can then barter and trade resources with each other. After this, the player can build as much as their resources will allow and also purchase development cards. Once someone has reached 10 victory points (by upgrading settlements to cities or with development cards), they win the game.
Notes on Catan
Catan was one of the first serious board games I played (after only cluedo and monopoly) and I instantly fell in love. I highly recommend this game for both casual and hardcore players for its ease to learn the rules, and its highly fun gameplay. While there is some level of chance when it comes to playing this game, with the right strategy and bartering techniques you can pull the odds to your favor. This is the perfect game for any family get together and is a great gift for any board game enthusiast.
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