Objective of the Game

In CATAN - The Game Book, players aim to expand their colonies on the island of Catan by building roads, settlements, and cities. The goal is to be the first player to reach a set number of victory points (usually 10). Victory points are earned not just for constructed settlements and cities but also for achievements like the "Longest Road" or the "Largest Army."

Setup

The game board is made of variable hexagonal tiles that are randomly arranged at the beginning of each game. These tiles represent different types of terrain: fields (grain), forests (lumber), mountains (ore), hills (brick), pastures (wool), and deserts (no resource). Each terrain tile receives a numbered token from 2 to 12 that determines which tile produces resources based on dice rolls.

Starting the Game

1. Each player starts with two settlements and two roads, placed alternately on the board's free intersections and edges.
2. All players receive resources corresponding to their starting settlements.

Game Play

Each round of CATAN consists of the following phases:

1. Resource Production: The active player rolls two six-sided dice. The number on the dice determines which terrain hex produces resources. All players owning a settlement or city adjacent to a producing terrain hex receive corresponding resources.

2. Building and Trading: The active player can use resources to build roads, settlements, or cities, or buy development cards. They can also trade with other players:

3. Road: 1 lumber, 1 brick
4. Settlement: 1 lumber, 1 brick, 1 grain, 1 wool
5. City: 2 grain, 3 ore (upgrades an existing settlement to a city)

6. Development Card: 1 wool, 1 grain, 1 ore

7. Development: A development card can be played immediately, unless it's a knight card.

8. Moving the Robber: If a player rolls a 7, they activate the robber. The player selects a terrain hex, which does not produce resources until the robber is moved, and may steal a card from a player with a settlement or city adjacent to that hex.

Special Rules

• Trading Ports: Specialized ports offer players better trade rates for resources.
• Knight Cards and Development Cards: These offer strategic advantages and can be used to outmaneuver or block other players. Having the most knights results in the "Largest Army" bonus, providing victory points.

Strategic Tips

• Position is crucial: Well-placed settlements with access to a wide variety of resources significantly increase winning chances.
• Flexible trading with other players can compensate for resource shortages.
• Avoid trade blockades and control strategically valuable ports to gain an edge.

The game ends when a player reaches the required number of victory points. Strategy, tactics, and favorable dice rolls determine success. Enjoy playing on Catan!