How to play Catan

The objective

Your goal is simple: collect resources, trade, and build until you reach ten victory points. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

A Catan base game set.

How to set up

1. Assemble the island and place number tokens according to the rules.
2. Each player places two settlements and roads, then collects starting resources from the second settlement.

How to play: step by step

1. Roll dice to produce resources for matching terrain beside settlements and cities.
2. Trade resources and spend them to build roads, settlements, cities, or development cards.
3. Move the robber after a seven and block one terrain hex.
4. The first player to reach ten victory points on their turn wins.

Beginner strategies

• Seek access to several resource types and useful numbers.
• Trade when it improves your position without helping a leader too much.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Building without a route to expansion.
• Forgetting that settlements must be at least two intersections apart.

Frequently asked questions