How to Play Catan
Welcome to Catan! This guide will help you get started with the basics in a friendly, simple way. For more board-game how-tos, visit Playmore.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Catan |
| Players | 3–4 |
| Type | Competitive gateway; trading and network building |
| Components | Use the components included with the game |
| Typical playtime | About 60–90 minutes (varies by group) |
What you are trying to do
The main goal is to build and grow your network on the island of Catan. You collect resources, trade with other players, and build roads, settlements, and larger towns to score victory points. The first player to reach the victory total listed in your edition's rules wins; check your rulebook or the official site for that exact number and any variant goals.
What you need and how to set up
Use the pieces and tiles that come in the box: hex tiles for terrain, number tokens, resource cards, road and settlement pieces, development cards, dice, and the robber token. The box includes either a suggested beginner layout or instructions for a random island. Follow your box setup for tile placement and number token arrangement.
Give each player their colored pieces and the correct starting supply of pieces from the box. The game also requires a flat table and a place for traded and banked resources. For exact initial placement order and which resources players start with, follow the official rulebook that came with your edition.
How to play
- Roll for resources: At the start of a turn you roll dice to see which terrain hexes produce. Players with settlements or cities next to those hexes collect the matching resource cards.
- Resolve special results: If your roll triggers the robber or another special event in your edition, follow your rulebook for moving the robber and taking a resource.
- Trade: You may trade resources with other players or with the bank/ports if you meet the port requirements. Trading is a big part of the game, so offer fair deals and ask for what you need.
- Build or buy: Spend resource cards to build roads, settlements, upgrade settlements to cities, or buy development cards. Each item has its own cost printed in your rules—check the box for exact costs.
- Play development cards: If you have a development card that can be played, you may use it according to its rules. Some give special actions or points later in the game.
- End your turn: After building and trading, your turn ends and the next player goes.
How a round or game ends
The game ends when a player reaches the victory point total specified in the rulebook for your edition. Some editions and house rules change how many points you need or add alternate victory goals. Always check the official rules in the box or the publisher's site for the exact target and any variant rules your group is using.
Beginner tips
- Choose starting spots that touch a mix of resources and good probability numbers for steady income.
- Try to secure at least one good brick or wood source early so you can build roads and expand.
- Use trades to get missing resources, but avoid giving an opponent exactly what they need to win right away.
- Block competitors with the robber when it helps your plans, but don’t make trading impossible or the table may get tense.
- Plan a path for your roads to reach useful expansion spots or ports that match your resources.
FAQ
Do I need any extra pieces or cards?
No. Play with the components that come in the box. Expansions add new pieces, but the base game has everything you need.
Can we change the rules or use house rules?
Yes. House rules are common. Just agree with everyone before you start and make sure all players know the changes.
Where can I find exact setup and scoring details?
Check the official rulebook that came with your game or the publisher's rule reference for precise setup, scoring totals, and variants. Rules can differ by edition, so use the version that matches your box.