Buy Settlers Of Catan.

Parents and Kids Will Love Developing and Trading!

Why buy Settlers of Catan, the board game? Well it's one of the most enjoyable board games for families and friends of all ages on the market today. It was the German Game of the Year in 1995 and US Board Game of the Year in 1996! There is also a Kids of Catan game for kids 4-8 years of age.

How Come I've Never Heard Of This Game?

It's funny but this game has been around a while yet many have never heard of it! It's possible that people "judge a book by its cover" with The Settlers Of Catan Board Game. And they shouldn't! People all over the world rave about this game, as it has been translated into at least 25 languages. Kids LOVE it, parents love it and just about everyone in between loves to play this game. If you want a fun game for all then buy Settlers Of Catan. Of course it's always a good idea to find out more about it, so take a look below!

So What's The Game About

The game has a basic element to it and that is to build settlements to survive. Sounds easier than it actually is as there are 3 other players also trying to build settlements. You'll have to deal with them also so be prepared for some bargaining! If you buy an expansion to the game you can have up to 8 players building settlements at a time. It's sort of like Monopoly but there is a lot more thinking involved than just landing on a space and buying a property.

So basically using what the Island of Catan has to offer like clay, wood, ore, grain and wool you begin your journey to settling the land. You build roads, new settlements and a lot more!

*More Specifically

The Island of Catan is an island waiting to be settled and each player is a settler. A great thing about this game is that it's made up of different hexagonal tiles that make up different regions/environments.

Each time the game is played the tiles can end up on different locations of the game board. Hence the odds of the playing the game using the same strategy twice are high.

Each player will start out with a limited amount of resources. Some of those resources you'll need to build up your settlement and some you'll have no use for. That's where the trading comes in. You can trade with other settlers or a neat aspect is that you CAN trade with the bank BUT you must trade 4 of the same resources to the bank in order to get just 1 of your choice from the bank. Banks always get the best deals. There is an exception. You do get a better trading rate if your settlement is on a Port which allows for 3 for 1 and 2 for 1 trades.

You're trying to build settlements and then you'll want to turn those settlements into cities. It's not easy to do but you must in order to win. You win by being the first settler to gain 10 points. You receive 1 point for each settlement and 2 points for each city you build. The first player to earn 10 points is the winner.

But beware; building won't be easy as there is an element of misfortune. There is a thief running amuck! Whenever someone rolls a seven the thief can be moved to an opposing players property where the thief will steal one card/element from that player. This takes away the resources your opponent needs to build their settlements.

Educational & Fun

Another great game that is both educational and fun for kids of all ages. If you think your child is to young for this game then buy Settlers of Catan for kids called, "Kids of Catan".

From trading with the bank and with other settlers you learn to barter and make deals both good and bad. The more you and your kids play the better and savvier you'll all become at this game. It takes a little while to figure out all the nuances of the game but the basic game play can be learnt in 10 minutes!

Take your kids one step beyond the basic thinking level of ordinary board games and buy Settlers of Catan for their birthday or Christmas present. They MAY complain but trust me it's more likely than not that this game will be the best present they'll get!

Looking For A Little Strategy?

As with all games there are tips, hits and strategies to playing. Here you'll find an overview of some strategy you may want to use.

Try to build your first two settlements in places where they can border all types of landscape. By doing this you won't have to do a lot of expensive trading with the bank.

Make building a settlement on a Port very important. Because when you have a settlement on a Port you get better deals when it comes to trading. Instead of 4:1 trading you can trade 2 resources for 1 needed resource with the bank.

Be an active trader! The more you trade the more advantageous it is for yourself. But be a smart trader as each settler/player is out to make the best trade possible. Sometimes you may want to hold back a little to keep your opponents from building too quickly.

Other Versions

The Kids Of Catan

Played very similarly to the Settlers of Catan except it's for kids aged 4-8. It's a building game and also has thief element to it. The settlements are actually made of 34 wooden pieces, which can be used outside the game as building blocks.

The game board also swivels which makes it easier for younger kids to play and pieces are less likely to get knocked over. It's a good primer for younger children before you buy Settlers of Catan for them.

Even More Versions Available

You can buy Settlers of Catan in various forms, not just the original board game. Here are a few others versions available.

Catan Card Game – A two player game similar in play to Settlers of Catan but with some different twists and rules.

Starfarers of Catan – Same idea as the original game except you're colonizing planets and are space travelers/settlers.

Starship Catan – A two player game with similarities to Starfarers of Catan but with different game play.

Settlers of the Stone Age.

Struggle for Rome – Using the Fall of the Roman Empire as the staging.

Candamir: The First Settlers – You're hunters and gatherers.

Settlers of Catan Computer Game.

There are other versions of this game and other copycats and adaptations also. And there is a slew of EXPANSION SETS that add even more for to the original game play.

Before going for all the "new versions" and adaptations I suggest you start out and buy Settlers of Catan the original version. Then if you feel the need for more Settlers go ahead and purchase the expansion and varying sets.