Catan Strategy Guide : 16 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
This strategy focuses on sprawling across the board, building a long road and settlements along it. Players who like this strategy look for lots of wood and ...
online
This strategy guide does NOT tell you how to play the game. The rules are described very clearly in the game itself and are freely available <anchor>online</anchor>. This guide is to help those who know how to play already but want to be more competitive, whether in person, online, or even against those pesky 'bots. It's broken into parts: initial setup of settlements and roads, probabilities, development cards, the robber, five strategies to try ( Commander, Developer, Producer, Explorer, and Queen of Sheep), the mid and late game, troubleshooting, and a few final words. It's vastly longer than I initially intended and contains a high level of nerdy overanalysis. Feedback welcome.
Game Rules | CATAN
Game Rules \| CATAN[Skip to main content](#main-content)

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# Game Rules

If you have misplaced one of your CATAN rulebooks, or if you would like to read one before purchasing it, feel free to download one of our many FREE pdf copies below.

We are always looking to broaden our collection, and we invite you to contact us if you can’t find the rulebook you are looking for.

## CATAN - Base Game & Expansions

#### CATAN

[CATAN - Game Rules & Almanac (3-4 Players)](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_base_rules_2020_200707.pdf "catan_base_rules_2020_200707.pdf")

[Game Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2024-03/Catan%20Game%205-6%20Rules%202022%20240313.pdf "Catan Game 5-6 Rules 2022 240313.pdf")

#### CATAN - Seafarers

[CATAN - Seafarers - Game Rules & Scenarios (3-4 Players)](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan-seafarers_2021_rule_book_201201.pdf "catan-seafarers_2021_rule_book_201201.pdf")

[Game Rules & Scenarios 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2024-03/Catan%20Seafarers%205-6%202023%20Rules%20220313.pdf "Catan Seafarers 5-6 2023 Rules 220313.pdf")

#### CATAN - Cities & Knights

[Cities & Knights - Game Rules & Almanac (3-4 Players)](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_c_k_2020_rule_book_200708.pdf "catan_c_k_2020_rule_book_200708.pdf")

[Game Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2024-03/Catan%20C%26K%205-6%202023%20Rules%20240313.pdf "Catan C&K 5-6 2023 Rules 240313.pdf")

#### CATAN – Traders & Barbarians

[CATAN - Traders & Barbarians - Rules (3-4 Players)](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan-t_b_2020_rule_book_200820.pdf "catan-t_b_2020_rule_book_200820.pdf")

[Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2024-03/Catan%20T%26B%205-6%202020%20Rules%20240313.pdf "Catan T&B 5-6 2020 Rules 240313.pdf")

#### CATAN - Explorers & Pirates

[CATAN - Explorers & Pirates - Rules (3-4 Players)](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_e_p_2020_merged_200707.pdf "catan_e_p_2020_merged_200707.pdf")

[Game Rules 5-6 Players](/sites/default/files/2024-03/Catan%20E%26P%205-6%202022%20Rules%20240313.pdf "Catan E&P 5-6 2022 Rules 240313.pdf")

## CATAN - Variants & Scenarios

#### CATAN - Soccer Fever

[CATAN\_SOCCER FEVER RULES](/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rules_Soccer%20Fever.pdf "Rules_Soccer Fever.pdf")

[CATAN Soccer Fever League Sheet Download](/sites/default/files/2024-03/CATAN%20Soccer%20Fever%20ENG%20League%20Sheet.pdf "CATAN Soccer Fever ENG League Sheet.pdf")

#### CATAN - Treasures, Dragon & Adventurers

[CATAN Treasures, Dragon & Adventurers Rulebook](/sites/default/files/2021-08/Treasure%20Dragons%20and%20Adventurers%20Rulebook_210107-sm.pdf "Treasure Dragons and Adventurers Rulebook_210107-sm.pdf")

#### CATAN - Crop Trust

[CATAN - Crop Trust - Rules & Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan-crop_trust_rulesalmanaceng_180705xs.pdf "catan-crop_trust_rulesalmanaceng_180705xs.pdf")

#### CATAN - Legend of the Sea Robbers

[CATAN - Legend of the Sea Robbers - Rule Book](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan-searobbers_rule_book_171009s_0.pdf "catan-searobbers_rule_book_171009s_0.pdf")

#### CATAN - Legend of the Conquerors

[CATAN - Legend of the Conquerors - Rules](/sites/default/files/2024-06/Legend%20of%20the%20Conquerers%20Rule%20Book%20210112.pdf "Legend of the Conquerers Rule Book 210112.pdf")

#### CATAN - The Helpers

[CATAN - The Helpers - Rules (2nd Edition)](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Helpers_Rules.pdf "Helpers_Rules.pdf")

[Helpers of CATAN – Game Rules (1st Edition)](/sites/default/files/2021-07/helpers_of_catan_rules_190228.pdf "helpers_of_catan_rules_190228.pdf")

#### CATAN – Frenemies

[CATAN Frenemies - Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_frenemies_rules_093012s.pdf "catan_frenemies_rules_093012s.pdf")

#### CATAN – Oil Springs

[CATAN - Oil Springs: Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_oilsprings_rules.pdf "catan_oilsprings_rules.pdf")

#### The Fishermen of CATAN

[The Fishermen of CATAN: Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/fishermen_rules_122806.pdf "fishermen_rules_122806.pdf")

## Rivals for CATAN

#### Base Game

[Rivals for CATAN - Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rivals_for_catan_rules_200309.pdf "rivals_for_catan_rules_200309.pdf")

[Rivals for CATAN - Included Cards](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rfc-cards.pdf "rfc-cards.pdf")

[Rivals for CATAN - Turn Overview](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rfc_turn_overview.pdf "rfc_turn_overview.pdf")

[Rivals for CATAN - Playing Tips](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rfc-playing-tips.pdf "rfc-playing-tips.pdf")

#### “Age of Darkness” Expansion

[Rivals for CATAN - Age of Darkness Expansion - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rivals-aod-rules-eng_200415.pdf "rivals-aod-rules-eng_200415.pdf")

[Rivals for CATAN - Age of Darkness Expansion - Included Cards](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rfc-aod-cards.pdf "rfc-aod-cards.pdf")

[Playing Tips for Rivals for CATAN - Age of Darkness](/sites/default/files/2021-06/age-of-darkness_playing-tips.pdf "age-of-darkness_playing-tips.pdf")

#### “Age of Enlightenment” Expansion

[Rivals for CATAN - Age of Enlightenment Expansion - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rivals-aoe-rules-eng_200421.pdf "rivals-aoe-rules-eng_200421.pdf")

[Rivals for CATAN - Age of Enlightenment Expansion - Included Cards](/sites/default/files/2021-06/rfc-aoe-cards.pdf "rfc-aoe-cards.pdf")

[Playing Tips for Rivals for CATAN - Age of Enlightenment](/sites/default/files/2021-06/age-of-enlightenment_playing-tips.pdf "age-of-enlightenment_playing-tips.pdf")

#### Tournament Game

Sample Decks by Dr. Reiner Düren:

[Expansion](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_expansions-deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_expansions-deck.pdf")

[Heading for New Shores](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_heading-for-new-shores_deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_heading-for-new-shores_deck.pdf")

[Hunger for Wisdom](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_hunger-for-wisdom_deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_hunger-for-wisdom_deck.pdf")

[Maritime Trade](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_maritime_trade-deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_maritime_trade-deck.pdf")

[Prosperity for the Poor](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_prosperity-for-the-poor_deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_prosperity-for-the-poor_deck.pdf")

[University](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rfc_tournament_university-deck.pdf "rfc_tournament_university-deck.pdf")

[Heroes](/sites/default/files/2021-08/heroes.pdf "heroes.pdf")

#### Deluxe Edition

[Rivals for CATAN - Deluxe Edition: Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/rivals_deluxe_rules_200203.pdf "rivals_deluxe_rules_200203.pdf")

## CATAN Starfarers

#### Base Game

[CATAN - Starfarers - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_starfarers_rulebook_eng_190823s_0_0.pdf "catan_starfarers_rulebook_eng_190823s_0.pdf")

[CATAN - Starfarers - Extension Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_starfarers_5-6_rules_200618.pdf "catan_starfarers_5-6_rules_200618.pdf")

[CATAN - Starfarers - Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_starfarers_almanac_eng_190823s_0.pdf "catan_starfarers_almanac_eng_190823s.pdf")

#### New Encounters

[New Encounters rules](/sites/default/files/2023-05/CN3007%20CATAN%20%E2%80%93%20Starfarers%20New%20Encounters%20Rules.pdf "CN3007 CATAN – Starfarers New Encounters Rules.pdf")

#### Starfarers Duel

[CATAN – Starfarers Duel Rules](/sites/default/files/2024-01/CN3011%20SF%20Duel%20Rulebook%20Web.pdf "CN3011 SF Duel Rulebook Web.pdf")

[CATAN – Starfarers Duel Errata temporary fix sheet](/sites/default/files/inline-files/ERRATA%20TEMPORARY%20FIX%20SHEET_0.pdf "CATAN – Starfarers Duel Errata temporary fix sheet")

## CATAN On the GO

#### CATAN Dice Game

[CATAN Dice Game – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_dice_game_rules_170522s.pdf "catan_dice_game_rules_170522s.pdf")

[CATAN Dice Game - Score Sheet](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_dice_game_sheets_170522.pdf "catan_dice_game_sheets_170522.pdf")

[CATAN Dice Game “Extra”](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan-dice-game-extra.pdf "catan-dice-game-extra.pdf")

[CATAN Dice Game “Plus” – Game Map Sheet](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan-dicegame_plus.pdf "catan-dicegame_plus.pdf")

#### Struggle for CATAN

[The Struggle for CATAN– Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-07/struggle_for_catan_tuckbox_rules_160612s.pdf "struggle_for_catan_tuckbox_rules_160612s.pdf")

[The Struggle for CATAN – Turn Overview](/sites/default/files/2021-07/struggle-f-c_turnoverview.pdf "struggle-f-c_turnoverview.pdf")

#### CATAN - Traveler

[CATAN - Traveler - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_traveler_english_rules_2021_201130.pdf "catan_traveler_english_rules_2021_201130.pdf")

## CATAN Spin-Offs

#### CATAN - New Energies

[CATAN - New Energies - Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2024-04/CN3207%20New%20Energies%20rules%20240409_secure.pdf "CN3207 New Energies rules 240409_secure.pdf")

#### CATAN - Dawn of Humankind

[CATAN - Dawn of Humankind - Rules](/sites/default/files/2023-01/Rules_DoH.pdf "Rules_DoH.pdf")

#### CATAN - Rise of the Inka

[CATAN - Rise of the Inkas - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_inkas_rules_eng_180531xs.pdf "catan_inkas_rules_eng_180531xs.pdf")

[CATAN - Rise of the Inkas - Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_inkas_almanac_eng_180531xs.pdf "catan_inkas_almanac_eng_180531xs.pdf")

#### A Game of Thrones CATAN

[A Game of Thrones CATAN: Brotherhood of the Watch - 2nd Edition Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/agot_base_rules_2018.pdf "agot_base_rules_2018.pdf")

[A Game of Thrones CATAN: Brotherhood of the Watch - 2nd Edition Reference](/sites/default/files/2021-06/agot_rules_ref_2018.pdf "agot_rules_ref_2018.pdf")

[A Game of Thrones CATAN 5-6 Player Extension - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-07/agot_catan_5-6_rules_180425.pdf "agot_catan_5-6_rules_180425.pdf")

[A Game of Thrones CATAN: Brotherhood of the Watch - 1st Edition Errata and FAQ](/sites/default/files/2021-06/agot-catan_errata_faq_171214s.pdf "agot-catan_errata_faq_171214s.pdf")

#### Settlers of America - Trails to Rails

[CATAN - Settlers of America – Trails to Rails – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan_soa_rules_eng_180705_0.pdf "catan_soa_rules_eng_180705_0.pdf")

#### CATAN Family Edition

[CATAN Family Edition – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-06/catan-family-rules-overview.pdf "catan-family-rules-overview.pdf")

#### Star Trek CATAN

[Star Trek Catan – Game Rules & Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-07/star_trek_catan_2nd_ed_180827.pdf "star_trek_catan_2nd_ed_180827.pdf")

#### CATAN Geographies: Germany

[CATAN Geographies: Germany: Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_germany_rules_111908.pdf "catan_germany_rules_111908.pdf")

#### CATAN - Ancient Egypt

[Games Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_egypt_rule_book_eng.pdf "catan_egypt_rule_book_eng.pdf")

[Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_egypt_almanac_eng.pdf "catan_egypt_almanac_eng.pdf")

#### Candamir – The First Settlers

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/candamir_rules.pdf "candamir_rules.pdf")

[Character Editor Manual](/sites/default/files/2021-08/candamireditor200602.pdf "candamireditor200602.pdf")

#### Elasund – The First City

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/elasund_rules.pdf "elasund_rules.pdf")

[Short Info](/sites/default/files/2021-08/elasund_shortinfo.pdf "elasund_shortinfo.pdf")

#### Struggle for Rome

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan-rome_rules_092306.pdf "catan-rome_rules_092306.pdf")

#### CATAN Histories - Merchants of Europe

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_moe_rules_090612s.pdf "catan_moe_rules_090612s.pdf")

#### Starship CATAN

[Games Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/starship_catan_rules.pdf "starship_catan_rules.pdf")

#### CATAN - 25th Anniversary Edition

[CATAN - 25th Anniversary Edition - Game Rules & Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan-25th-rules_eng-200313.pdf "catan-25th-rules_eng-200313.pdf")

## CATAN Junior

#### CATAN Junior

[CATAN Junior - Game Rules (1st Edition)](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_junior_rules_160420s.pdf "catan_junior_rules_160420s.pdf")

[CATAN Junior - Game Rules (2nd Edition)](/sites/default/files/2021-07/catan_junior_rules_180403.pdf "catan_junior_rules_180403.pdf")

#### The Kids of Catan

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/kids_catan_rules_v3.pdf "kids_catan_rules_v3.pdf")

## CATAN Print & Play

#### CATAN - Scenarios - Easter Bunny

[CATAN - Scenario - Easter Bunny - Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/200409_catan-scenario_easter_bunny.pdf "200409_catan-scenario_easter_bunny.pdf")

## Archive

#### CATAN Editions before 2023

_Rules of CATAN Editions published before 2023_

### CATAN Basegame

[Game Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_5-6_basegame_rules.pdf "catan_5-6_basegame_rules.pdf")

### CATAN - Seafarers

[Game Rules & Scenarios 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_seafarers_5-6_2020_rules.pdf "catan_seafarers_5-6_2020_rules.pdf")

### CATAN - Cities & Knights

[Game Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_c_k_5-6_2020_rules.pdf "catan_c_k_5-6_2020_rules.pdf")

### CATAN - Traders & Barbarians

[Rules 5/6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_t_b_5-6_2020_rules_200820.pdf "catan_t_b_5-6_2020_rules_200820.pdf")

### CATAN - Explorers & Pirates

[Game Rules 5-6 Players](/sites/default/files/2021-08/catan_e_p_5-6_2020_rules.pdf "catan_e_p_5-6_2020_rules.pdf")

#### CATAN Card Game

_Predecessor of “Rivals for Catan”, out of print_

[Base Game – Rules & Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-08/soccg_base_rules_0422406_lorez.pdf "soccg_base_rules_0422406_lorez.pdf")

[Expansion Pack – Game Rules & Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-08/soccg_exp_rules_0.pdf "soccg_exp_rules_0.pdf")

[“Artisans & Benefactors” Expansions: Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/aab_rulesonly_040909_0.pdf "aab_rulesonly_040909_0.pdf")

[“Artisans & Benefactors” Expansions: Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-08/soccg_aab_almanac_071709_0.pdf "soccg_aab_almanac_071709_0.pdf")

#### The Starfarers of CATAN (Old Edition)

[Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/starfarers_4p_rules_v4-0.pdf "starfarers_4p_rules_v4-0.pdf")

[Almanac](/sites/default/files/2021-08/starfarers_24p_almanac_v4-0.pdf "starfarers_24p_almanac_v4-0.pdf")

#### Non-CATAN Games

[Domaine – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/domaine_rules.pdf "domaine_rules.pdf")

[Entdecker – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/entdecker_rules_eng_v-7.pdf "entdecker_rules_eng_v-7.pdf")

[Oceania – Game Rules](/sites/default/files/2021-08/oceania_rules.pdf "oceania_rules.pdf")

[https://www.facebook.com/CatanCommunity/](https://www.facebook.com/CatanCommunity/)

[https://twitter.com/settlersofcatan](https://twitter.com/settlersofcatan)

[https://www.instagram.com/settlersofcatan](https://www.instagram.com/settlersofcatan)

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6UdL\_rHGunjKD7Jfa2mww](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6UdL_rHGunjKD7Jfa2mww)

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