Catan: The Timeless Board Game Every Home Should Have

Introduction

Some games come and go — but a few become legends. One of the most loved and enduring board games in the world is Catan, a game that’s been bringing friends and families together for over 25 years.

Whether you’re brand new to board games or already deep in the hobby, Catan is a must-have

What Is Catan?

Catan (originally The Settlers of Catan) is a resource management and trading game for 3–4 players. You play as pioneers settling the island of Catan, competing to build roads, settlements, and cities.

What makes Catan unique is its balance of strategy and negotiation. You need to gather resources like wood, brick, wheat, ore, and sheep, and sometimes you’ll have to trade with your rivals to get what you need. The first player to reach 10 victory points wins the game.

Why Is Catan So Popular?

Since its release in the 1990s, Catan has become a global phenomenon — and for good reason:

• ✅ Strategic but accessible – ideal for beginners and experienced players alike
• ✅ Endless replayability thanks to a modular board
• ✅ Great social interaction through player trading
• ✅ Quick to learn, fun to master
• ✅ Expansions allow for 5–6 players and deeper gameplay

Whether you play with your family on a Sunday afternoon or dive into game night with friends, Catan always delivers.

What’s in the Box?

The standard Catan base game includes:

• Game board pieces to build the island
• Resource and development cards
• Settlements, roads, and cities for each player
• Dice and the robber
• Full rulebook (often available in multiple languages, including Greek and English)

It’s everything you need for hours of engaging, strategic fun.

Who Should Play Catan?

Catan is perfect for:

• Families with kids 10+
• Casual gamers looking to get into modern board games
• Strategy lovers who enjoy negotiation and planning
• Groups of 3 or 4 players (with expansion available for 5–6)

It’s the perfect introduction to modern tabletop gaming — and a timeless classic for those who already play.

How to Play Catan: A Quick Guide

Goal of the Game

Be the first player to reach 10 Victory Points (VP) by building settlements, cities, and achieving special bonuses.

1. Game Setup

• The board is made up of hex tiles: each hex produces a resource:
  • Wood, Brick, Wheat, Sheep, Ore
• Hexes are arranged in a specific pattern (or randomly for more variety).
• Each tile is assigned a number token (2–12). When that number is rolled, the tile produces resources.

Players each place:

• 2 Settlements and 2 Roads to start.
• The second settlement gives them starting resources based on adjacent tiles.

2. Gameplay Turn (each player’s turn)

1. Roll dice (2 six-sided dice)
   • Every tile with the rolled number produces resources for any player with a settlement or city next to it.
2. Collect resources from those tiles (cards)
3. Trade (optional):
   • With other players
   • Or with the bank (4:1) or ports (3:1 or 2:1 for specific resources)
4. Build (optional):
   • Roads: 1 Brick + 1 Wood
   • Settlements: 1 Brick + 1 Wood + 1 Sheep + 1 Wheat
   • Cities: 2 Wheat + 3 Ore (upgrade a settlement)
   • Development Cards: 1 Sheep + 1 Wheat + 1 Ore
5. Play a Development Card (if you want and if it’s not the turn you bought it)

3. The Robber

• If a player rolls a 7, no resources are produced. Instead:
  • All players with more than 7 cards discard half (rounded down)
  • The active player moves the Robber to any tile and steals 1 card from a player who has a settlement/city adjacent to that tile
  • That tile no longer produces resources while the Robber is there

4. How to Win

• Reach 10 Victory Points:
  • Each Settlement = 1 VP
  • Each City = 2 VP
  • Largest Army (3+ played knight cards) = 2 VP
  • Longest Road (5+ continuous roads) = 2 VP
  • Some Development Cards give 1 VP

Final Thoughts

Catan isn’t just a board game — it’s a gateway into a world of strategy, competition, and shared laughter. It’s one of those rare games that you’ll play again and again, discovering something new every time.

If your game shelf has room for only one title, make it Catan.

Ready to start your Catan journey? Buy Catan now from TinkersCy and bring strategy and fun to your next game night!