Award winner · 1 organization

Catan

Klaus Teuber · CMON / Asmodee · 1995

Trade resources, build settlements and cities, and race to 10 victory points on a modular hex island. The trading negotiations, dice-driven resource production, and the robber create a dynamic that has introduced tens of millions of people to modern board gaming.

Players

3–4

Time

90 min

Ages

10+

Difficulty

Medium

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Why you'll like it

The game that launched modern board gaming
Trading negotiations create genuine social interaction
The modular board ensures variety
Enormous global community and tournament scene
Multiple expansions extend the experience

How it plays

In Catan, players settle an island made of hexagonal tiles that produce resources: wood, brick, sheep, wheat and ore. Each tile has a number, and at the start of every turn the dice are rolled; every settlement next to a tile with that number collects its resource.

You use resources to build roads, settlements and cities, and to buy development cards. Since nobody has everything they need, trading with other players is a big part of the game, and the negotiation is where much of the fun comes from.

The first player to 10 victory points wins. Points come from settlements, cities, some development cards, and bonuses for the longest road and largest army.

May not be for you if…

Luck of dice rolls can feel punishing
The robber mechanic frustrates many players
Games can run 90+ minutes with new players
Experienced players dominate newcomers

Best for

Gateway gamersfamiliessocial groupsnew gamers

Awards

1995Spiel des JahresSpiel des Jahres

Appears in

Family Game Night

Where to buy

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Common questions

How long does Catan take?

About 60 to 90 minutes.

How many people can play Catan?

The base game plays 3 or 4. An extension adds 5 and 6 players, and there are 2-player variants.

Is Catan good for beginners?

Yes. It's one of the games that started the modern hobby, and many people learned with it. The dice add luck, which keeps it friendly for mixed groups.