Creating the Perfect Settlers of Catan Setup: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Your Guide to buying the best Settlers of Catan

Overview

Settlers of Catan is a classic board game designed by Klaus Teuber. It has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world since its release in 1995. The aim of the game is to create an island civilization, build roads, and collect and trade resources. This buying guide will help you find the right version of Settlers of Catan for you, and provide step-by-step instructions on what you need to know to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, we’ll help you find the right version of Settlers of Catan for you and get the most out of your game.

Key features

  1. Number of players - Choosing Settlers of Catan that accommodates the required number of players is important. There are versions available for 3 to 4 players, and 5-6 players.
  2. Game Expansion Sets - If more than 4 players are interested in playing, Settlers of Catan can accommodate up to 6 players with the use of certain game expansion sets.
  3. Game Length - The game length can vary depending on the number of players, the skill level, and the amount of luck involved. If game length is an important consideration, it may be beneficial to look for Settlers of Catan editions that have a shorter game time.
  4. Portability - Some versions of Settlers of Catan are more portable than others. Smaller versions can fit in a backpack for those who plan to take the game on the go.
  5. Age Range - Settlers of Catan is designed for players of varying ages, so it's important to select a version that will be suitable for the intended players. Some versions are better suited for younger players.
  6. Educational Value - Some versions of Settlers of Catan offer some educational value by teaching basic strategy, counting, and resource management.

See the most popular Settlers of Catan on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Strategic Gameplay - Settlers of Catan is a strategy board game that requires players to think strategically about their moves. Players must plan ahead and find the best ways to build settlements, collect resources, and ultimately win the game.
  • High Replay Value - With different player combinations, the game can be played over and over again, while still being enjoyable. Additionally, the game can be played with different numbers of players each time.
  • Good For Beginners and Experienced Players - The game is easy to learn and is suitable for players of all ages and skill levels, making it a great game for the whole family.
  • Educational - Settlers of Catan is a great way to teach players basic economics, as well as strategy and problem-solving skills.

Cons

  • Cost - Settlers of Catan can be expensive, as it costs about $50.00 for the base game.
  • Time - A game of Settlers of Catan can take up to 2 hours to complete.
  • Limited Players - The game is designed for 3-4 players, so it cannot be played with more or less.
  • Strategy - The game requires players to have a good understanding of strategy and resource management.
  • Complexity - The rules of the game can be difficult for some players to understand.

Best alternatives

  1. Ticket to Ride - Players attempt to connect cities and attractions across a map of the United States.
  2. 7 Wonders - Players build ancient wonders through a card-drafting game.
  3. Azul - Players compete to create beautiful mosaics in this abstract game.
  4. Splendor - Players build their own trading empires by acquiring gems and purchasing buildings.
  5. Pandemic - Players work together to solve a global health crisis.
  6. Carcassonne - Players build a medieval landscape one tile at a time

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Dice - two dice used to determine the roll of the numbers on the board.
  • Cards - resource cards used to build roads, settlements, and cities.
  • Gameplay Board - 19 hexagonal terrain tiles, each with a number.
  • Robber - a token used to “rob” players of resources.
  • Resources - 19 hexagonal terrain tiles, each with a resource type.
  • Harbor Tokens - allows players to trade resources with other players.
  • Development Cards - cards that allow players to expand their settlements and gain victory points.
  • Victory Point Tokens - tokens that are awarded when certain objectives are completed.

Common questions

  1. How many players can play Settlers of Catan? The standard game of Settlers of Catan can be played with 3-4 players. There is also an expansion pack that allows up to 6 players.
  2. How long does a game of Settlers of Catan usually take? A game of Settlers of Catan typically takes 60-90 minutes to play.
  3. What age group is Settlers of Catan designed for? Settlers of Catan is recommended for ages 10 and up.
  4. What components are included with the base game of Settlers of Catan? The base game of Settlers of Catan includes 19 terrain hex tiles, 6 sea frame pieces, 9 harbor pieces, 20 settlement pieces, 16 city pieces, 60 roads, 95 resource cards, 25 development cards, 4 building cost cards, 2 special victory point cards, 18 number tokens, 2 dice, and an instruction booklet.
  5. What expansions are available for Settlers of Catan? There are a number of expansion packs available for Settlers of Catan, including Seafarers, Cities & Knights, Explorers & Pirates, and more.

Trivia

In 2018, Settlers of Catan was used to help settle a real-life border dispute between two towns in Germany. The towns of Windhagen and Neunkirchen had been arguing over their border for years, but over two days of gaming, they managed to come to an agreement. The deputy mayor of Windhagen even called the game a “peace treaty.” This story made headlines in several media outlets such as The Guardian and Metro UK. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.