In honour of the new edition of Catan hitting shop floors earlier this year we thought we'd gather a few tips and tricks for your first time. So welcome to one of the most iconic board games of the modern era! As a first-time settler, navigating hexes, trades, and the dreaded robber can all feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry - we can help you build smart, trade shrewdly, and maybe even walk away with a win.
1. Choose Your Starting Spots Carefully
Your first two settlements are the foundation of your game. When placing them:
- Aim for resource variety: Wood, brick, wheat, sheep, and ore are all essential.
- Prioritize numbers: Hexes with tokens numbered 6 and 8 generate resources more often (based on dice rolls).
- Look for intersections with 3 different resources for flexibility early on.
Hoyle's Pro Tip: There's less stone than you think there is and everyone needs it, make sure you nab some while they are free.
2. Master the Art of Trading
Trading is key to Catan success, especially when dice rolls don’t go your way.
- Be strategic - don’t help a player get their 10th point!
- Offer value - people like trades that help them but don't give your game away.
- Consider future needs - don’t trade away wheat if you’ll need it for a city next turn.
3. Build Roads Early to Claim Territory
Planning to expand? Get your roads down before someone blocks your path.
- Roads are cheap (just wood + brick) and essential to reaching new settlement spots.
- Keep an eye on the Longest Road bonus - it’s worth 2 Victory Points!
4. Upgrade to Cities When Resources Allow
Once you’ve established a few settlements, aim to upgrade them into cities.
- Cities are worth 2 points, and they collect double resources from adjacent hexes.
- Don’t overextend with roads if you can solidify your points more efficiently with city upgrades (unless you are competing specifically for the longest road).
5. Watch Your Opponents’ Progress
Always track who’s close to winning - even if they’re quiet about it.
- Count how many settlements, cities, and cards each player has.
- Remember there are hidden point cards in the development deck, has your opponent been holding onto one for a suspiciously long time? Could be a point card!
- Be cautious about trading with someone at 8 or 9 points.
- Don’t be afraid to use the robber strategically - it’s a powerful tool.
6. Use Development Cards Wisely
Buying development cards can pay off in several ways:
- Knights help you control the robber and work toward the Largest Army bonus (2 points).
- Victory Point cards are hidden and can surprise your opponents.
- Some cards offer game-changing abilities like building extra roads or monopolising a resource.
7. Know When to Pivot
If your original plan hits a wall - someone blocks your road or your wheat hex never gets rolled - adapt!
- Look for alternative routes to build.
- Shift your focus to development cards if you’re short on building resources.
- Use ports to get around resource gaps.
8. Don’t Hoard Cards—Watch Out for the Robber
When someone rolls a 7, anyone with more than 7 cards has to discard half.
- Try not to end your turn with 8+ cards, you never know when a 7 is coming (and it is the most likely probable in the game)
- Use your resources as efficiently as possible, especially during your turn. If all else fails, you can always take a 2 for 1 trade to avoid discarding.
Quick Reminders
- Victory = 10 points
- 1 settlement = 1 point
- 1 city = 2 points
- Longest Road & Largest Army = 2 points each
- Victory Point Cards in the development deck
Final Thought
Your first game of Catan might be a learning experience, but that’s part of the fun. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the trades (and rivalries), and remember—every game of Catan tells a different story. Just be ready to settle the score next time!