Early Game Rules

The objective of Settlers of Catan is to reach ten

1. Establish a Balanced Resource Base: victory points.
Focus on settling in areas that provide a There are six types of terrain, each producing
variety of resources to cover your basic different resources: forest (lumber/wood), pastures
(wool), fields (wheat/grain), mountains (ore), hills
needs.
(brick), and a desert (produces nothing).
Prioritize locations with high probability Number tokens from A to R are placed counter-
numbers for resource tiles. clockwise, starting from the outside corner, with the
Aim for a mix of brick, wood, wheat, and exception of the desert.
ore to ensure you can build roads and Red numbers (6 and 8) are more valuable and have
settlements early on. higher probabilities of rolling.
2. Build Roads Strategically: Harbors and the thief are placed randomly.
Players roll dice to determine who starts and places
Expand towards valuable resource
the first settlement.
locations and potential settlement spots. Settlements and roads must be at least two roads
Consider blocking opponents or placing apart.
roads near the coast for future settlement Resources are collected based on the dice roll, with
options. the active player starting first.
Keep an eye on opponents' moves and A roll of 7 activates the thief, forcing players with 8
adjust your road placement accordingly. or more cards to discard half, and the player placing
the thief steals a card.
3. Prioritize Settlements over Cities Initially:
Players can build settlements, roads, and cities,
Settlements generate more resources trade with others or the bank, and buy development
overall, allowing for faster expansion. cards.
Cities are expensive and may slow down Development cards include green (special powers),
your early-game growth. purple (knights for largest army), and orange
Strive for an early presence on the board (worth one victory point).
to secure key locations and resource tiles. Longest road and largest army cards each grant two
victory points.
 End-Game Mid-Game
1. Focus on Victory Points: 1. Upgrade to Cities and Expand:
Prioritize building settlements and cities Start upgrading settlements to cities to
that provide victory points. increase resource production.
Evaluate the remaining points needed to Use surplus resources to build roads
win and plan your final moves and expand to new areas.
accordingly. Aim for diverse resource production to
Consider Longest Road or Largest Army
maintain flexibility in trading.
development cards for additional points.
2. Strategic Trading and Diplomacy:
2. Monopolize Resources:
Engage in resource trading to
If possible, monopolize key resources to
complement your strategic goals.
control the pace of the game.
Use trades to gain critical resources Establish diplomatic relations with
needed for your final objectives. opponents to secure favorable trades.
Be mindful of opponents' strategies and Be cautious about strengthening a
disrupt their plans whenever possible. leading player through advantageous
3. Defensive Strategies: trades.
Protect key locations and resource tiles 3. Robber Placement and Resource Denial:
from the robber. Use the robber to block opponents with
Anticipate opponents' moves and adjust high resource production.
your strategy to counter their final plays. Consider placing the robber on key
Be vigilant about potential road-building hexes to disrupt opponents' plans.
or settlement placements that could give Balance aggression with diplomacy to
an opponent the winning points. avoid becoming a target.