Catan: A Guide to Strategy

by Philip Lee

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476695136
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	07/17/2024
Pages:	149
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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

Table 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 Spectra 22 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 Formula 24 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