If you have never played Settlers of Catan before, do not worry, you are not alone. While this game is extremely well-known amongst those who played it, it is unheard of amongst those who haven't. That sounds like a dumb thing to say, but it is very true. Once you have played it you talk about it. You find others who have played it.
So, if you are new to Catan and you have been looking for information online to help you share this game, you have no doubt found that most of the links are for purchasing the game but not just talking about the game. I mean, when I tried to tell friends and family that this game was fun and simple to learn and a blast to play. However, I would talk about building roads and settlements and the game sounded totally dumb!
But you have to know the game isn't dumb. The game is very interactive. The trading element makes the game more intense, depending on the people that who are playing. One site I read said that people dangle the robbers over the number tiles and ask if anyone wants to stop them from dropping the robber in that location. This game can get both mean and happy. Mean because players can gang up and stop someone from getting the resources they need.
So there it is, if you know what I am talking about, then the best thing to do is keep playing and keep learning new strategies. Tell your friends about the game. If you haven't played the game, rather than buy it yourself, try to find someone that has played so that you can learn it from them. This game advertises itself mostly via word of mouth.
If you have any questions about the game, or any links that you think should be here, please let me know through the mail link above.
I am probably giving away too much information here. I hope you never play me because I am laying out what I got here.
Some of my strategy should be obvious. I look for a brick and a wood and a something else next to each other. I check the numbers on the spot and determine the likelihood of those coming up. I will probably make that my second choice so that I get the brick and the wood after setting my second settlement. However, if it is just a solid spot I will put it down first.
Havens (ports) are important but I have learned not to base my game around them. If I find three sheep tiles next to each other, and a sheep port right next to them, I really weigh whether it is worth it. Because no matter how sweet it looks, it keeps me away from three or four other things. Even if sheep come in, I have to have twice as many of them to get anything working.
I work for the longest road. I never buy as many development cards as I should. I find that there is always someone that can buy more development cards or build a longer road. I try to focus on getting a long enough road to get good stuff out of it, but never figure on having the longest road or the most soldiers.
There is a big switch that happens mid game where brick and wood become replaced by wheat and metal. I try to be ready for that by putting cities on wheat or metals.
If you have any more strategies, I would love to hear them through the mail link above.
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