Catan - A Guide to Strategy

Catan (formerly Settlers of Catan), the most popular and iconic of the Eurogames that have swept the world since the 1990s, has sold more than 35 million copies in 40 different languages. For the first time ever, Catan's mechanics and strategies are detailed in basic language and straightforward illustrations, for everyone from first-time gamers to tournament players.
Section I introduces the rules to the game, including those that are commonly disputed among players. Section II covers the mechanics of the game and discusses concepts like the Gaussian curve, production, power hexes vs. power intersections, inherent value vs. trade value, actual cost vs. opportunity cost, and total production value (TPV). Section III, the largest, is dedicated to advanced considerations to improve players' games. These include tactics and strategy; the three pillars of Catan (points, potential and power); assessing one's position during gameplay; hoarding; burst-building; roads; settlements, cities, and their placement; harbors and trading, with helpful tips about player-to-player and maritime trades and a ranking of the 2:1 harbors; use of development cards; early game strategy; and middle- and endgame theory. Section IV offers helpful, commonsense tips for players, including how to remain calm, talk at the table, and to play hardcore Catan. Section V discusses expansions, scenarios and alternate rules; supercards; and the fatal flaw of 2-player Catan.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why a Strategy Guide for a Game Based on the Luck of the Dice?¿1

I.¿The Rules

Resource Cards¿3 delete¿ deleteBoard Setup: Hexes, Number Tiles, and Dots¿4 delete¿ delete

Game Pieces: Roads, Settlements, and Cities¿6 delete¿ deleteResource Generation¿7 delete¿ deleteThe Robber¿8 delete¿ deleteThe Limit¿9 delete¿ deleteThe Distance Rule¿9 delete¿ deleteDevelopment Cards¿10 delete¿ deleteLongest Road and Largest Army¿10 delete¿ deleteSetup Phase¿12 delete¿ deleteTurn Sequence¿13 delete¿ deleteWinning the Game¿16 delete¿ deleteCommonly Disputed Rules¿17

II.¿The Mechanics of the Game

The Gaussian Curve¿19 delete¿ deleteProduction¿20 delete¿ deleteNumber Specträ22 delete¿ deletePower Hexes and Power Intersections¿22 delete¿ deleteInherent Value vs. Trade Value¿23 delete¿ deleteActual Cost vs. Opportunity Cost¿23 delete¿ deleteTotal Production Value (TPV)¿24 delete¿ deleteThe TPV Formulä24 delete¿ deleteHarbor Formulas¿26

III.¿Advanced Considerations

Strategy vs. Tactics¿27 delete¿ deleteThe Three Pillars of Catan¿29 delete¿ deleteWho's Ahead?¿30 delete¿ deleteThe Design of Catan¿31 delete¿ deleteHoarding¿32 delete¿ deleteBurst-Building¿33 delete¿ deleteRoads¿36 delete¿ deleteSettlements¿51 delete¿ deleteCities¿55 delete¿ deleteHarbors and Trading¿59 delete¿ deleteDevelopment Cards¿72 delete¿ deleteGame Phases¿95 delete¿ deleteOpening Theory¿95 delete¿ deleteMiddlegame Theory¿118 delete¿ deleteEndgame Theory¿124

IV.¿Common-Sense Catan

Burn This Book¿126 delete¿ deleteBe in the Game!¿126 delete¿ deleteThe Power of Calm¿127 delete¿ deleteTable Talk¿127 delete¿ deleteHardcore Catan¿128

V.¿Wrapup

Last Words¿129 delete¿ deleteExpansions, Scenarios, and Alternate Rules¿129 delete¿ deleteSupercards¿130 delete¿ deleteThe Fatal Flaw of ­Two-Player Catan¿132 delete¿ deleteTell Me I'm Wrong!¿132

Glossary: The Language of Catan

Chapter Notes

About the author

Philip Lee worked with children with special needs in the US and UK for 23 years before turning to writing. A teacher of chess and other strategy games, he holds degrees in history and education.

Summary

Catan, the most popular and iconic of the Eurogames that have swept the world since the 1990s, has sold more than 35 million copies in 40 different languages. For the first time ever, Catan’s mechanics and strategies are detailed in basic language and straightforward illustrations, for everyone from first-time gamers to tournament players.

Product details

• Authors: Philip Lee
• Publisher: McFarland
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 17.07.2024
• EAN: 9781476695136
• ISBN: 978-1-4766-9513-6
• No. of pages: 150
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 8 mm
• Weight: 228 g
• Subject: Guides > Hobby, home > Games, quizzes