How to Set Up Catan Board
Ready to set up your Catan board fast and right? Here’s a simple way:
- Start with the water edge: Put the blue frame together to make the edge of the game board.
- Lay down the hex tiles: Follow the setup in the rulebook or mix them up for a new look. Do not put too many of the same numbers (6 and 8) or the same kind of tile near each other.
- Add ports and number pieces: Place port pieces along the edge at random, and put numbers on the land pieces, but skip the desert.
- Pick starting points: Every player sets two houses and two roads. Make it fair by using the “snake draft” for turns.
- Get resources: When you place your second house, take resources from the nearby places to start your plan.
Top tip: Always check the setup to make sure things are spread out well. This keeps the game even and fun. Now you’re all set to play for hours!
How to Set Up Catan
Getting Ready to Play Catan
Before you start the game, make sure you have all the parts. Doing this now can stop any breaks later while you're playing.
Main Game Pieces
The Catan base game has all you need to set it up. Inside the box, you will see 19 land pieces that make up the island, and 6 sea edge parts that go around it. You'll find 18 number tokens (with numbers 2 to 12) and 9 port tokens that connect to the sea edge.
Each player has 5 houses, 4 cities, and 15 roads to use on the island. These are the wooden bits you will use in the game. Also, there is one robber piece (the black one that stops you from getting resources) and 2 regular dice with six sides.
For cards, you should have 95 resource cards, split into five kinds: sheep, wood, brick, ore, and wheat. There are also 25 cards for special moves and points. Don’t miss the 4 cards that tell you the resources you need for each building.
The pieces can be set up in many ways. This keeps the game fun and new every time. While these items are enough, some extra things can make it even better.
Extra Bits
Your Catan kit also comes with two bonus cards: Longest Road and Largest Army. These cards keep track of who has these titles during the game.
Even though you don't need them to just play, some extra bits can help make the game flow better and be more fun.
"With the unique relationship that people have with their games, we take improving their needs very seriously. CATAN deserves extraordinary accessories and this is a collection of our very best thinking. When you start using these during gameplay they become so much more than just ordinary gaming supplies." - Adrian Alonso, Head of Gamegenic
Handy boxes for cards and other game bits can make play fast and neat. Card holders work to keep your cards just to you, while piece holders line up your houses, towns, and paths. You don't need these, but they help the game move smoother.
Pro tip: Always count your game pieces before you start playing. Given Catan's big fame - it has sold over 20 million copies - getting new parts when lost can be hard.
How to Set Up the Game Board
Making sure the game board is set up right is key to keep it steady and to make sure the game runs smooth. There are three main parts to this: putting together the sea frame, laying out the hex tiles, and placing harbors and number tokens.
Making the Sea Frame
Start by getting all the game parts, then work on putting together the sea frame. These blue frame parts fit together with tabs and slots making the outer edge that keeps the hex tiles in place well. This helps the tiles stay put during the game. Before these frame parts came along, players had to set up the hex tiles in a rough hexagon shape, but the frame now gives a clear shape and sets the largest size of the board.
To put the frame together, line up each part’s tabs with the matching slots and click them together softly. Don’t force the parts; they should slide in easy. If you're using an add-on, look at its special steps for changing the frame.
Putting the Hex Tiles
Next, place the 19 land hexes inside the sea frame. You can choose two ways here: use the plan in the rulebook for a setup that's easy to manage (good for new players) or mix the tiles for a random board. A random setup brings in fun changes but take care to not make it unfair. Mainly, don't put high-chance numbers (like 6 and 8) next to each other, as this can make resources too uneven.
The desert tile, which makes no resources, can go anywhere and gets no number token. For a game that’s even and fun, try to place resources like wood, brick, ore, and wheat all over the board.
Setting Harbors and Number Tokens
Now it’s time to put down the harbor tokens and number tokens. Put the 9 harbor tokens at random in their spots on the board's edge. These include a 2:1 harbor for each resource type (wood, brick, sheep, wheat, ore) and four 3:1 all-type harbors.
For the number tokens, you’ll use 18 tokens with numbers 2 through 12 (no token for 7, as that number starts the robber). Each token has a label from A to R to help with where to put it. Start with token A at any edge hex and go in toward the center in a spiral way, skipping the desert tile. Numbers 6 and 8, more likely in dice rolls, are in red to show they're key. The dots under each token show how often the roll might come up.
If you want a game set up that's not easy to guess, mix up the number tokens and place them on the land hexes at random, but skip the desert tile again. Keep in mind this way might make the board less even.
Getting Ready and Picking Spots
It's time for each player to choose where to start. Everyone gets two homes and two paths to begin with.
Who Goes First?
To see who starts, roll both dice. The one with the top roll goes first. If there's a tie, roll again.
The turn to put things down has two parts, and there's a smart twist to make it fair. In part one, everyone puts down one home and one path, following the order of their dice rolls. But in part two, it flips - the person who went last now goes first, and so on. This change lets the last person place two homes one after the other, making up for being last at the start.
Setting Your First Homes and Paths
To place your homes, pick any spot where three hexes meet. Then, put down a path that touches your new home. Keep this in mind: homes must be two spots apart from any other home.
"Selecting your initial settlement spots is the single-most important moment in a game that sets the tone for everything else to follow." - Noah Miller
Choosing good spots for your homes is key. Look for places that touch four or five types of things you can use, and try to get wheat first. Wheat is needed to make homes, big towns, and special cards. Since, there are just four spots of wheat on the game board, it is very wanted.
Watch the number tags on the spots. Numbers like 6, 8, 5, 9, and 10 come up a lot, so placing your home on these spots can help you get more stuff.
Think about the roads too. Set them to help your next homes and try to not point them to the middle of the board, where a lot of players may want the same spot. Spots near the sea may not make a lot of things, but they let you use ports, which are great for trading.
When all homes and roads are set, you pick your first set of things.
Picking Your First Set of Things
After each person has put down their second home, you get your first set of things. Look at the lands next to your second home only (not the first). For each land next to your second home, take one thing. Sand lands don't give you anything. This first group of things helps you start and plan your first moves.
Watch what things other players get too. For instance, if someone gets a lot of ore and wheat, they might try to make big towns fast. But if someone has much brick and wood, they may want to make more roads and homes. Knowing these first moves helps you guess what others might do and change your own plan to match.
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Common Mistakes When Setting Up
Even folks who play a lot may mess up the setup, which can mess up the game. A well-set board makes the game fair and fun, so avoid these usual errors.
Rules for Putting Things in Place
A common error is to put red chips (the 6 and 8) side by side. These numbers come up a lot in dice rolls, and having them close can mess up how resources are made. Make sure to check the board to keep red numbers apart.
Another problem is when the same type of resources, like wheat or ore, are all put in one spot. This can make it hard for players to get what they need evenly. A good setup spreads out resources and dice roll chances, so everyone has a fair shot at a strong start.
Also, keep in mind that homes must be set with two spaces in between them. Ignoring this rule can give some an edge by making it easier for them to get resources.
And, don’t just build homes based on the resources you like. Homes that rely on just a few numbers can fail if those numbers don’t come up often. It's important to mix up your choices to stay in the game.
Easy Things to Miss
Some game versions use a letter series on the token back to help with placement. A lot of players miss this detail, but it helps set chips in the right order and stops red numbers from being next to each other.
Taking time to check these small things can help you avoid setup mistakes.
Help From Brain Games
If you're having trouble because of missing or broken parts, Brain Games can help. They offer a lifetime guarantee on all their games, and they'll replace parts for free as long as the game is still being made. For new parts or full replacement sets, visit Brain Games for a complete selection of Catan games and extras. Their customer service team is there to help you get what you need quickly.
Brain Games also has a policy for swapping games with defects. If you're not happy with your game within two weeks, you can return it and trade it for another one. This way, your game set is always ready for your next fun night.
Wrap-Up: Your Catan Board is Good to Go
Your Catan setup is now ready for many hours of fun and smart play. A good setup makes sure all players play fair and every move matters.
Take a quick look before you start: check that the sea frame is around all 19 hex tiles, the robber is on the desert tile, and the number tokens and harbors are in the right spots. Make sure each player's pieces are set, resources are in order, and the Longest Road and Largest Army cards are easy to get to. Have the dice close by, so you can jump into the game.
This even setup lets each player have a true shot to win. With 58 dots showing odds on the 18 resource tiles, every dice throw opens new fun chances. The smart spread of resources and numbers keeps the game lively and tight.
Now, it's time to build roads, houses, and bigger places. Don't lose track of your victory points, from your builds or extra points like Longest Road or Largest Army. A tidy board helps keep everyone on point - with their minds on tactics and having a good time.
Your journey in Catan kicks off now - let the games start!
FAQs
How do I set up the Catan board to make the game fair and even?
How to Make a Fair Catan Board
To have a good game of Catan, it's key to set up a fair board. Here are the steps:
- Lay out the hex tiles: Mix up the 19 hex tiles well and place them without any plan. Make sure the stuff from each - wood, brick, wheat, ore, and sheep - is not too close. Do not put the same kind of stuff next to each other, as it might make the game not even.
- Place the number tokens with care: Spread the number tokens on the hex tiles, keeping balance in your mind. Keep the often seen numbers like 6 and 8 apart to avoid strong spots. The rare numbers, like 2 and 12, can go where the stuff is more worth to even out how much stuff people can get.
When you set up the board with thought, you help make the game fair and fun, making sure everyone has a good time playing Catan!
What to do if Catan game parts are gone or broken?
If your Catan game is short on pieces or has broken parts, first, talk to the store where you bought it to see if you can swap it. If that fails, you can reach out to Catan Studio to ask for help or new parts. You can also look at local game shops or search online shops for old sets that may have what you need. To keep your game on track, check that all pieces are there before you play again!
