Settlers of Catan Game Rules

The Settlers of Catan, sometimes shortened to just Catan, is a multiplayer boardgame designed by Klaus
Teuber and first published in 1995 in
Germany by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag (Kosmos) as Die Siedler von Catan. Players assume the roles of settlers, each attempting to build and develop holdings while trading and acquiring resources. Players are rewarded points as their settlements grow; the first to reach a set number of points, typically 10, is the winner. The game and its many expansions are also published by Mayfair Games, Filosofia,Capcom, 999 Games, Κάισσα, and Devir.
The Settlers of Catan was one of the first German-style board games to achieve popularity outside of Europe. As of 2015, more than 22 million copies in 30 languages were sold. The game has been translated into 30 languages. It is popular in the United States where it has been called "the board game of our time" by The Washington Post. A 2012 American documentary film titled Going Cardboard (featuring Klaus Teuber) is about this game's impact on American gaming communities and what came of it. The game involves large amounts of strategy, while still being fairly simple to learn, making it perfect for those who wish to enter the world of strategic board games.
About Jack Berlin

Founded Accusoft (Pegasus Imaging) in 1991 and has been CEO ever since.
Very proud of what the team has created with edocr, it is easy to share documents in a personalized way and so very useful at no cost to the user! Hope to hear comments and suggestions at info@edocr.com.
card victory point resource settlement player Road
About Jack Berlin

Founded Accusoft (Pegasus Imaging) in 1991 and has been CEO ever since.
card victory point resource settlement player Road
<p>Klaus Teuber
Game Rules
& almanac
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   1
12/15/14   3:42 PM
2
Dear Settlers,
To make it as easy as possible for you to start playing Catan®, we use an award-winning rules system, which consists 
of 3 parts. First, if you do not know how to play Catan, please read the Game Overview on page 16 (the back cover). 
Next, read the Game Rules on pages 2-6 (red borders) and start to play the game. If you have questions during the 
game, consult the Catan Almanac on pages 6-15 (gold borders).
Now you are ready for your first adventure on Catan. Have fun settling this new land together!
— Klaus Teuber
You can find further information at:
catan.com          mayfairgames.com          klausteuber.com
Game Rules
These 4-page rules (pages 2-5) contain all the important 
information that you need to play!
If you need more information during the game, you can look 
up keywords (marked Y) in the “Almanac,” which follows 
these rules.
Game ComponenTs
•	19	terrain	hexes	(tiles)
•	6	sea	frame	pieces
•	9	harbor	pieces
•	18	circular	number	tokens
•	95	resource	cards	(bearing	the	symbols	for	the	brick,	
grain,	lumber,	ore,	and	wool	resources)
•	25	development	cards	(14	knight	cards,	 
6	progress	cards,	5	victory	point	cards)
•	4	“Building	Costs”	cards
•	2	special	cards:	“Longest	Road”	&	“Largest	Army”
•	16	cities	(4	of	each	color,	shaped	like	churches)
•	20	settlements	(5	of	each	color,	shaped	like	houses)
•	60	roads	(15	of	each	color,	shaped	like	bars)
•	2	dice	(1	yellow,	1	red)
•	1	robber
•	1	“Game	Rules	&	Almanac”	booklet
ConsTruCTinG The island
The	frame	pieces	hold	the	board	together	and	prevent	
the	pieces	from	moving	after	the	board	is	in	place.	Before	
building	the	island,	assemble	the	frame	by	matching	the	
numbers	at	the	ends	of	the	frame	pieces	together	(i.e.,	1-1,	
2-2, etc.).
You	can	then	construct	the	island	of	Catan	using	the	19	
terrain	hexes	as	shown	on	page	3.
Starting Set-up for Beginners
You can play the game Catan	on	a	variable	game	board.	
For	your	first	game,	however,	we	suggest	that	you	use	the	
“Starting	Set-up	for	Beginners Y.”	(See	Illus.	A	on	page	3.)	
This	set-up	is	well-balanced	for	all	players.
Before	your	first	game,	you	must	remove	the	die-cut	
components	from	the	cardboard	holders.	Carefully	punch	 
out and separate the pieces. When punching tiles out of the 
die-cut sheets, always push the tiles through from the front, 
“cut”	side	(pushing	from	the	back	may	cause	the	tiles	to	rip).
Lay	out	the	map	as	specified	in	Illustration	A	(or	on	the	
back	of	this	booklet).
First,	assemble	the	frame	as	shown.	Second,	create	Catan	
by	placing	the	19	terrain	hexes	on	the	table—again	as	
shown.	Third,	place	the	circular	number	tokens	on	top	of	 
the	designated	terrain	hexes.	Finally,	place	your	settlements	
and roads.
Africa is spring and we walk five paths toward the sun
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   2
12/15/14   3:43 PM
3
Starting Set-up for Experienced Players
It	is	more	fun	to	play	with	a	variable	game	board—with	the	
game	board	laid	out	randomly.	The	board	changes	each	game.	
If	you	would	like	to	use	the	variable	set-up,	you	can	find	the	
guidelines	in	the	Almanac	under	Set-up,	Variable Y. Also look 
for useful tips under Set-up Phase Y and Tactics Y.
seTTinG up The Game
Select a color and take your 5 settlements, 4 cities, and 
15	roads	(no	more	and	no	less!).	Place	your	2	roads	and	
your	2	settlements	on	the	game	board.	Place	your	remaining	
settlements, roads, and cities down in front of you.
Note: If you are playing a 3-player game, nobody plays the 
red position indicated on the starting map.
Take	your	color’s	building	costs	card.	(See	Illustration	B.)
Place	the	special	cards	“Longest	Road”	and	“Largest	Army”	
beside	the	game	board	along	with	the	2	dice.
Sort the resource cards into 5 stacks and put them face up 
next	to	the	game	board.	
Shuffle	the	development	
cards and place them face 
down	by	the	board.
You	receive	resources Y 
for	each	terrain	hex	
around your starting 
settlement marked  
with a white star H  
(see Illustration A). Take 
the appropriate resource 
cards from their stacks.
9
••••
2
•
8
•••••
10
•••
5
••••
12
•
5
••••
4
•••
11
••
10
•••
11
••
6
•••••
4
•••
9
••••
6
•••••
3
••
3
••
8
•••••
Illustration A
Starting Map  
for Beginners
   To make it as easy as possible 
for you to get started with  
Catan, we use an award- 
winning rules system, which  
consists of 3 parts—the  
Overview, the Game  
Rules, and  
the Almanac.
   If you’ve never  
played Catan,  
please read the  
game Overview  
first—it’s on the  
back cover of this  
booklet. Next, read the  
Game Rules and start  
to play. And finally, if you  
have questions during the  
game, please consult the  
Almanac (it begins on page 6).
Odds fOr 
dice rOlls
2	&	12	=	3%
3	&	11	=	6%
4	&	10	=	8%
5	&	9	=	11%
6	&	8	=	14%
7	=	17%
Resource Production
Robber
Illustration B
laRGest aRmy
2 Victory Points!
The first player to play 3 Knight cards 
gets this card. Another player who plays 
more Knight cards takes this card.
• A City replaces an already-built Settlement.
• Usually, you only play 1 development card per 
turn, and you cannot play a development card on 
the turn it’s built.
lonGest Road
2 Victory Points!
This card goes to the player with the  
longest road of at least 5 segments.  
Another player who builds a longer  
road takes this card.
H
H
H
H
Hills  
Produce Brick
Forest  
Produces Lumber
Mountains  
Produce Ore
Fields  
Produce Grain
Pasture  
Produces Wool
Desert  
Produces Nothing
Begin the game with 
the resource cards 
produced by the 
settlements 
marked with 
white stars. 
See H.
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   3
12/15/14   3:43 PM
4
Example: See Illustration A. Blue receives 1 brick card,  
1 lumber card, and 1 ore card for his leftmost settlement 
(i.e., his settlement marked with a star H).
Each player keeps his resource cards hidden in his hand.
Important: Settlements and 
cities may only be placed at 
the corners of the terrain 
hexes—never along the edges 
(see Illustration C). Roads may 
only be placed at the edges of 
the terrain hexes—1 road per 
edge (see Illustration D). The 
Distance Rule Y means many 
intersections along roads will 
remain unoccupied.
Turn overview
Unless you’re using the Starting 
Set-Up	for	Experienced	Players,	
the oldest player goes first. 
On your turn, you can do the 
following in the order listed:
•	You	must	roll	for	resource	
production Y (the result applies to all players).
•	You	may	trade Y resource cards with other players and/or 
use maritime trade Y.
•	You	may	build Y roads Y, settlements Y or cities Y and/
or	buy	development	cards Y. You may also play one 
development	card Y at any time during your turn.
After you’re done, pass the dice to the player to your left, who 
then	continues	the	game	with	step	1.
Tip: For advanced players, we recommend combining the 
second and third steps. You can find more details in the 
Almanac under “Combined Trade/Build Phase Y.”
The Turn in Detail
1. Resource Production
You	begin	your	turn	by	rolling	both	dice.	The	
sum	of	the	dice	determines	which	terrain	hexes	
produce resources.
Each player who has a settlement on an intersection Y that 
borders	a	terrain	hex	marked	with	the	number	rolled	receives	
1	resource	card	of	the	hex’s	type.	For	an	example	see	resource	
production Y.	If	you	have	2	or	3	settlements	bordering	that	hex,	
you	receive	1	resource	card	for	each	settlement.	You	receive	
2	resource	cards	for	each	city	you	own	that	borders	that	hex.	
If	there	are	not	enough	of	a	given	resource	in	the	supply	to	
fulfill	everyone’s	production,	then	no	one	receives	any	of	that	
resource	during	that	turn	(unless	it	only	affects	1	player).
2. Trade Y
Afterwards,	you	may	trade	freely	(using	either	or	both	types	of	
trades	below)	to	gain	needed	resource	cards:
a) Domestic Trade Y
On your turn, you can trade resource cards with any of the 
other players. You can announce which resources you need and 
what you are willing to trade for them. The other players can 
also make their own proposals and counteroffers.
Important: Players may only trade with the player whose 
turn it is. The other players may not trade among themselves. 
b) Maritime Trade Y
You can also trade without the other players! During your 
turn,	you	can	always	trade	at	4:1	by	putting	4	identical	resource	
cards	back	in	their	stack	and	taking	any	1	resource	card	of	your	
choice	for	it.	If	you	have	a	settlement	or	city	on	a	harbor Y, you 
can	trade	with	the	bank	more	favorably:	at	either	a	3:1	ratio	or,	
in	certain	harbors,	at	2:1	(trading	the	resource	type	shown).
Important: The 4:1 trade is always possible, even if you do 
not have a settlement on a harbor.
3. Build Y
Now	you	can	build.	Through	building,	you	can	increase	your	
victory	points Y,	expand	your	road	network,	improve	your	
resource	production,	and/or	buy	useful	development	cards.	To	
build,	you	must	pay	specific	combinations	of	resource	cards	
(see	the	Building	Costs	Card Y).	Take	the	appropriate	number	
of roads, settlements, and/or cities from your supply and place 
them	on	the	game	board.	Keep	development	cards	hidden	in	
your hand.
You	cannot	build	more	pieces	than	what	is	available	in	your	
pool—a	maximum	of	5	settlements,	4	cities,	and	15	roads.
a) Road Y Requires: Brick & Lumber
A	new	road	must	always	connect	to	1	of	your	existing	roads,	
settlements,	or	cities.	Only	1	road	can	be	
built	on	any	given	path Y.
The	first	player	to	build	a	continuous	
road (not counting forks) of at least 5 
road	segments	receives	the	special	card	
“Longest	Road Y”. If another player 
succeeds	in	building	a	longer	road	than	
the	one	created	by	the	current	owner	of	the	“Longest	Road”	
card,	he	immediately	takes	the	special	card	(and	its	2	victory	
points).	In	this	case,	there	is	a	4	victory	point	swing!
Illustration C
Illustration D
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
=
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   4
12/15/14   3:43 PM
5
b) Settlement Y Requires: Brick, Lumber, Wool, & Grain
Take special note of the “Distance 
Rule” Y:	you	may	only	build	a	
settlement at an intersection if all 
3	of	the	adjacent	intersections	are	
vacant	(i.e.,	none	are	occupied	by	any	
settlements	or	cities—even	yours).
Each	of	your	settlements	must	connect	to	at	least	1	of	your	
own	roads.	Regardless	of	whose	turn	it	is	(i.e.,	during	any	
production	phase),	when	a	terrain	hex	produces	resources,	you	
receive	1	resource	card	for	each	settlement	you	have	adjacent	
to	that	terrain	hex.
Each	settlement	is	worth	1	victory	point.
c) City Y Requires: 3 Ore & 2 Grain
You	may	only	establish	a	city	by	
upgrading one of your settlements.
When you upgrade a settlement to a 
city, put the settlement (house) piece 
back	in	your	supply	and	replace	it	with	
a city piece (church).
Cities	produce	twice	as	many	resources	as	settlements.	
You	acquire	2	resource	cards	for	an	adjacent	terrain	hex	that	
produces resources.
Each	city	is	worth	2	victory	points.
d) Buying a Development Card Y 
Requires: Ore, Wool, & Grain
When	you	buy	a	development	card,	
draw the top card from the deck. 
There	are	3	different	kinds	of	these	
cards: knight Y, progress Y, and 
victory	point Y. Each has a different 
effect	(see	4.b,	below).
Development	cards	never	go	back	into	the	supply,	and	you	
cannot	buy	development	cards	if	the	supply	is	empty.
Keep	your	development	cards	hidden	(in	your	hand)	until	
you use them, so your opponents can’t anticipate your play.
4.	Special	Cases
a) Rolling a “7” and Activating the Robber Y
If	you	roll	a	“7,”	no	one	receives	any	resources.
Instead,	every	player	who	has	more	than	7	resource	cards	
must select half (rounded down) of his resource cards and 
return	them	to	the	bank.
Then	you	must	move	the	robber Y. Proceed as follows:
(1)	You	must	move	the	robber Y	immediately	to	the	number	
token	of	any	other	terrain	hex	or	to	the	desert Y	hex.
(2)	Then	you	steal	1	(random)	resource	card	from	an	
opponent	who	has	a	settlement	or	city	adjacent	to	the	target	
terrain	hex.	The	player	who	is	robbed	holds	his	resource	
card	hand	face	down.	You	then	take	1	card	at	random.	If	
the	target	hex	is	adjacent	to	2	or	more	players’	settlements	
or cities, you choose which one you want to steal from.
Important: If the production number for the hex containing 
the robber is rolled, the owners of adjacent settlements and 
cities do not receive resources. The robber prevents it.
b) Playing Development Cards Y
At	any	time	during	your	turn,	you	may	play	1	development	
card	(put	it	face	up	on	the	table).	That	card,	however,	may	not	
be	a	card	you	bought	during	the	same	turn	(except	for	a	victory	
point	card,	as	described	below)!
Knight Cards (Purple Frame) Y
If you play a knight card, you must 
immediately	move	the	robber.	See	“Rolling	
a	‘7’	and	Activating	the	Robber”	above	and	
follow	steps	1	and	2.
Once played, knight cards remain face 
up	in	front	of	you.	The	first	player	to	have	
3	knight	cards	in	front	of	himself	receives	
the	special	card	“Largest	Army,”	which	is	
worth	2	victory	points.	If	another	player	has	
more knight cards in front of him than the 
current	holder	of	the	Largest	Army	card,	he	
immediately takes the special card and its  
2	victory	points.
Progress Cards (Green Frame) Y
If you play a progress card, follow its 
instructions.	Then	the	card	is	removed	from	 
the	game	(i.e.,	toss	it	in	the	box).
Victory Point Cards (Orange Frame) Y
You	must	keep	victory	point	cards	hidden.	
You	may	only	reveal	them	during	your	turn	
and	when	you	are	sure	that	you	have	10	
victory	points—that	is,	to	win	the	game.	Of	
course,	you	can	reveal	them	after	the	end	of	
the game if someone else wins. You may play 
any	number	of	victory	point	cards	during	your	 
turn,	even	during	the	turn	you	purchase	them.
endinG The Game
If	you	have	10 or more	victory	points	during your turn, 
the	game	ends	and	you	are	the	winner!	If	you	reach	10	points	
when it is not your turn, the game continues until any player 
(including	you)	has	10	points	on	his	turn.
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
=
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
=
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH =
Move the robber.
Steal 1 resource from the 
owner of a settlement or 
city adjacent to the 
robber’s new hex.
KNIGHT
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
MONOPOLY
When you play this card, 
announce 1 type of resource. 
All other players must give 
you all of their resources 
of that type.
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
LIBRARY
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   5
12/15/14   3:43 PM
6
almanac
This	“Catan	Almanac”	contains	detailed,	alphabetical	entries	
and	examples	for	Catan.	These	are	not	the	“Game	Rules”!	
You	do	not	have	to	read	this	material	prior	to	your	first	game.	
Instead,	use	the	Game	Rules.	Then	read	this	to	enjoy	the	
complete	experience.
This	almanac	includes	advanced	rules	and	clarifications.	You	
can also refer to it if any questions arise during a game.
B
build (buildinG)
You	may	build	on	your	turn	after	you	have	rolled	for	resource	
production	and	finished	trading.	To	build,	you	must	turn	in	the	
specified	combinations	of	resource	cards	(see	the	Building	
Costs	Cards Y).	Return	the	resource	cards	to	the	supply	stacks.	
You	can	build	as	many	items	and	buy	as	many	cards	as	
you	desire—as	long	as	you	have	enough	resources	to	“pay”	
for	them	and	they	are	still	available	in	the	supply.	(See	
Settlements Y,	Cities Y,	Roads Y,	and	Development	Cards Y.)
Each	player	has	a	supply	of	15	roads,	5	settlements,	and	4	
cities.	If	you	build	a	city,	return	the	settlement	to	your	supply.	
Roads	and	cities,	however,	remain	on	the	board	until	the	end	of	
the	game	once	they	are	built.
Your	turn	is	over	after	“building,”	and	the	player	to	your	left	
continues the game.
New	rule	variant:	see	Combined Trade/Build Phase Y.
buildinG CosTs Cards
The	building	costs	cards	show	what	can	be	built	and	which	
resources	are	required.	When	you	pay	building	costs,	you	must	
return the necessary resources to their supply stacks. You 
can	build	settlements Y and roads Y, upgrade settlements to 
cities Y,	and	buy	development	cards Y.
C
CiTies
You	cannot	build	a	city	directly.	You	can	only	
upgrade	an	existing	settlement	to	a	city.	You	pay	
the required resources, return the settlement to 
your supply, and replace the settlement with a city on the same 
intersection Y.	Each	city	is	worth	2	victory	points.	You	receive	
double	resource	production	(2	resource	cards)	from	the	
adjacent	terrain	hexes	whenever	those	numbers	are	rolled.
When	you	build	a	city,	the	upgraded	settlement	piece	becomes	
available	again.	You	can	use	it	to	build	another	settlement	later.
Example: See Illustration E. Claudia, the blue player, rolls 
a resource production roll of “8.” She receives 3 ore cards: 1 
ore for her settlement and 2 ore for her city. Benny, the red 
player, receives 2 lumber for his city.
Hint: It is extremely difficult to win the game without 
upgrading settlements to cities. Since you only have 5 
settlements available, you can only reach 5 victory points by 
only building settlements.
CoasT
When	a	terrain	hex	borders	on	the	sea	(i.e.,	a	frame	piece),	
it	is	called	a	“coast.”	You	can	build	a	road	along	a	coast.	You	
can	build	settlements	and	upgrade	settlements	to	cities	on	
intersections	that	border	on	the	sea.	However,	since	a	site	on	
the	coast	borders	only	1	or	2	terrain	hexes,	coastal	settlements	
generate smaller resource yields. Still, coastal sites often lie 
on	harbors,	which	allow	you	to	use	maritime	trade Y to trade 
resources	at	more	favorable	rates.
Combined Trade/build phase
The	separation	of	the	trade	and	build	phases	was	introduced	
to	make	the	sequence	easier	to	learn	for	beginners.	We	
recommend	experienced	players	ignore	this	separation.
After	rolling	for	resource	production,	you	can	trade	and	build	
in	any	order	(you	can	trade,	build,	trade	again	and	build	again,	
etc.).	You	can	even	use	a	harbor	on	the	same	turn	you	build	a	
settlement there. Using this method speeds up the game a lot.
Illustration E
E8
•••••
E8
•••••
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   6
12/15/14   3:44 PM
7
D
deserT
The	desert	is	the	only	terrain	hex	that	
does not produce resources. The 
robber Y	is	native	to	the	desert,	
and he starts the game there. A 
settlement	or	a	city	built	adjacent	
to the desert yields fewer resources 
than	those	built	next	to	one	of	the	
other terrain types.
developmenT Cards
There	are	3	different	kinds	of	development	
cards:	Knight	Cards Y,	Progress	Cards Y, and 
Victory	Point	Cards Y.
When	you	buy	a	development	card,	take	
the top card of the draw pile into your hand. 
Keep	your	development	cards	hidden	until	
you play them. This keeps the other players 
in the dark.
You	cannot	trade	or	give	away	development	cards.
You	may	only	play	1	development	card	during	your	turn—
either	1	knight	card	or	1	progress	card.	You	can	play	the	
card	at	any	time,	even	before	you	roll	the	dice.	You	may	not,	
however,	play	a	card	that	you	bought	during	the	same	turn.
Exception: If you buy a card and 
it is a victory point card Y that 
brings you to 10 points, you may 
immediately reveal this card  
(and all other VP cards) and  
win the game.
You	only	reveal	victory	point	
cards	when	the	game	is	over—once	
you	or	an	opponent	reaches	10+	
victory	points	and	declares	victory.
disTanCe rule
You	may	only	build	a	settlement	on	an	unoccupied	
intersection Y	and	only	if	none	of	the	3	adjacent	intersections	
contains a settlement or city.
Example: See Illustration F. Coleman, the blue player, wants 
to build a settlement. The settlements marked “A” are already 
in play. Coleman cannot build on the intersections marked 
“B”. He can only build at intersection “C”.
domesTiC Trade
On your turn, you may trade resources with the other players 
(after rolling for resource production). You and the other 
players	negotiate	the	terms	of	your	trades—such	as	which	
cards	will	be	exchanged.	You	may	trade	as	many	times	as	you	
can,	using	single	or	multiple	cards.	However,	you	cannot	give	
away	cards,	or	trade	matching	resources	(“trade”	3	ore	for	1	
ore,	for	example).
Important: While it is your turn, you must be a part of 
all trades, and the other players may not trade amongst 
themselves.
Example: It is Pete’s turn. He needs one brick to build a 
road. He has 2 lumber and 3 ore. Pete asks aloud, “Who will 
give me 1 brick for 1 ore?” Beth answers, “If you give me 
3 ore, I’ll give you a brick.” Cooper interjects, “I’ll give you 
1 brick if you give me 1 lumber and 1 ore.” Pete accepts 
Cooper’s offer and trades a lumber and an ore for a brick. 
Note Beth may not trade with Cooper, since it is Pete’s turn.
E
endinG The Game
If	you	have—or	reach—10	victory	
points on your turn, the game ends 
immediately and you win! You can only 
win during your turn. If somehow you find 
you	have	10	victory	points	during	another	
player’s	turn,	you	must	wait	until	your	next	
turn	to	claim	victory.
Example: Siobhán has 2 settlements  
(2 points), the Longest Road special  
card (2 points), 2 cities (4 points),   
and 2 victory point cards (2 points).  
She reveals her 2 victory point cards, 
giving her the 10 points needed to win. 
She surprises her opponents and  
claims victory!
Illustration F
lonGest Road
© 
20
15
 C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
UNIVERSITY
©
 2
01
5
 C
a
ta
n
 G
m
bH
1 Vict
ory P
oint!
Revea
l this 
card o
n you
r 
turn i
f, with
 it, yo
u rea
ch 
the nu
mber
 f po
ints 
requi
red fo
r victo
ry.
MARK
ET
2 Victory Points!
This card goes to the player with the  
longest road of at least 5 segments.  
Another player who builds a longer  
road takes this card.
©
 2
01
5
 C
a
ta
n
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Po
int!
Reveal this 
card on you
r 
turn if, with
 it, you reac
h 
the number
 of points 
required for
 victory.
LIBRARY
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
MARKET
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
CHAPEL
©
 2
01
5
 C
a
ta
n
 G
m
bH
1 Victo
ry Poi
nt!
Reveal
 this ca
rd on y
our 
turn if
, with 
it, you
 reach
 
the nu
mber o
f point
s 
requir
ed for 
victory
.
GREAT
 HALL
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
UNIVERSITY
B
A
C
B
A
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   7
12/15/14   3:44 PM
8
G
Game play
Here	is	a	summary	of	the	the	game	sequence,	plus	some	
more specific entries where you can find details:
(1)	Lay	out	the	game	board:	Set-up, Variable Y
(2) Initial set-up: Set-up Phase Y
(3)	Play
The	starting	player	begins	the	game.	The	other	players	follow	
in clockwise order.
On	your	turn,	you	complete	these	3	phases	in	order:
•	Roll	for	Resource Production Y (the roll applies to  
all players)
•	Trade Y
•	Build Y
You	may	play	1	development	card	any	time	during	your	turn.
Pass the dice to the player on your left at the end of your turn. 
He	then	takes	his	turn	using	the	same	3	phases.
H
harbors
Harbors	allow	you	to	trade	
resources	more	favorably.	In	 
order	to	control	a	harbor,	you	 
must	build	a	settlement	on	a	
coastal intersection Y which 
borders	the	harbor.	See	also	
“Maritime Trade” Y.
I
inTerseCTions
Intersections are 
the points where 
3	hexes	meet.	See	
Illustration	G.	You	may	
only	build	settlements	
on intersections. The 
influence (for resource 
yields) of settlements 
and	cities	extends	into	
the	3	adjacent	terrain	
hexes	that	form	the	
intersection.
K
KniGhT Cards
When	you	play	a	“Knight”	development	card	during	your	turn,	
you	must	immediately	move	the	robber Y. Place the knight card 
face up in front of you.
You must	move	the	robber	away	from	his	current	spot	and	
onto	the	number	token	of	any other	terrain	hex	or	on	the	
desert.
You	then	steal	1	resource	card	from	a	player	who	has	a	
settlement	or	a	city	adjacent	to	the	robber.	If	there	are	2	or	
more	such	players,	you	may	choose	your	victim.
The	player	you	elect	to	rob	keeps	his	cards	face	down	while	
you	take	1	of	his	cards	at	random.	If	he	has	no	cards,	you	
get	nothing!	(However,	you	can	always	ask	players	about	the	
number of cards they hold.)
If	you	are	the	first	player	to	have	3	knight	cards	face	up	in	
front	of	you,	you	take	the	“Largest	Army” Y special card. This 
special	card	is	worth	2	victory	points.
If another player has more face-up knight cards than you, he 
takes	the	special	card	and	the	2	victory	points	that	go	with	it.
Example: See Illustration H. On Niall’s turn he plays a 
knight card and moves the robber from the fields hex to the 
hills hex with the “4.” Niall may now steal a random card 
from player A or B.
L
larGesT army
If you are the first player to play  
3	knight	cards,	you	receive	this	special	
card,	which	is	worth	2	victory	points.	
You	place	the	“Largest	Army”	card	face	
up in front of you. If another player 
plays	more	knight	cards	than	you	have,	
he immediately takes the special card. 
The	2	victory	points	likewise	count	for	
the new owner.
Illustration G
Illustration H
J4
•••
A
B
laRGest aRmy
2 Victory Points!
The first player to play 3 knight cards 
gets this card. Another player who plays 
more knight cards takes this card.
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   8
12/15/14   3:44 PM
9
lonGesT road
If	you	are	the	first	player	to	build	a	
continuous	road	of	at	least	5	individual	
road pieces, you take this special card 
and place it face up in front of you. This 
card	is	worth	2	victory	points.
Note: If your road network 
branches, you may only count the 
single longest branch for purposes of 
the longest road.
If	you	hold	the	“Longest	Road”	card	and	another	player	
builds	a	longer	road,	he	immediately	acquires	your	“Longest	
Road”	card.	He	also	acquires	the	2	bonus	victory	points.	(Since	
you	also	lose	the	2	victory	points,	it	is	a	4	point	swing!)
Example: See Illustration I. Emily, the red player, builds a 
continuous road with 7 wooden pieces (A–B). The branch 
roads (marked with arrows) are not counted. Emily snags 
the “Longest Road” special card.
You	can	break	an	opponent’s	road	by	building	a	settlement	on	
an unoccupied intersection along his road!
Example: In Illustration I, the blue player Coleman builds a 
settlement on intersection “C” (which is legal). This breaks 
Emily’s road into 2 parts. Emily must give the special card to 
Coleman, who now has the Longest Road (and 2 more VPs).
Special Case:	If	your	longest	road	is	broken	and	you	are	
tied	for	longest	road,	you	still	keep	the	“Longest	Road”	card.	
However,	if	you	no	longer	have	the	longest	road,	but	two	or	
more	players	tie	for	the	new	longest	road,	set	the	“Longest	
Road”	card	aside.	Do	the	same	if	no	one	has	a	5+	segment	
road.	The	“Longest	Road”	card	comes	into	play	again	when	only	
1	player	has	the	longest	road	(of	at	least	5	road	pieces).
M
mariTime Trade
On your turn, you can trade resources using maritime trade 
during	the	trade	phase	even	without	involving	another	player.
The	most	basic	(and	unfavorable)	exchange	rate	is	4:1.	 
You may trade 4 identical resource cards 
to	the	supply	in	exchange	for	 
1	resource	card	of	your	choice.	You	 
do	not	need	a	harbor Y (settlement  
at	a	harbor	location)	to	trade	at	4:1,	 
so	when	nobody	wants	to	trade…
Example: Benny returns 4 ore cards to the supply and takes 
1 lumber card in exchange. Normally, he should first try a 
more favorable trade with the other players (domestic trade).
If	you	have	built	a	settlement	or	city	at	a	harbor Y location, 
you	can	trade	more	effectively.	There	are	2	different	kinds	of	
harbor	locations:
Generic Harbor (3:1):	Here	
you	may	exchange	3	identical	
resource	cards	for	any	1	other	
resource card during your  
trade phase.
Example: Brad has a settlement 
at a generic harbor. He can, for 
instance, exchange 3 lumber cards 
for 1 wool card.
Special Harbor (2:1): There is 
only	1	special	harbor	for	each	
type of resource (with the same 
symbol).	So,	if	you	earn	plenty	of	
a certain type of resource, it can 
be	useful	to	build	on	the	special	
harbor	for	that	resource	type.	The	
exchange	rate	of	2:1	only	applies	
to the resource shown on the 
harbor	location.	A	special	harbor	does	not	permit	you	to	
trade	any	other	resource	type	at	a	more	favorable	rate	(not	
even	3:1)!
Example: Ron built a settlement at the ore special harbor. 
He may exchange 2 ore cards for any 1 other resource card. 
He can also trade 4 ore cards for any 2 other cards. If he 
traded 4 wool instead of 4 ore, he would get only 1 card in 
return.
Illustration I
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
:
B
A
C
lonGest Road
2 Victory Points!
This card goes to the player with the  
longest road of at least 5 segments.  
Another player who builds a longer  
road takes this card.
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   9
12/15/14   3:44 PM
10
N
number ToKens
The	18	number	tokens	are	marked	with	the	
numerals	“2”	through	“12.”	There	is	only	one	“2”	
and	one	“12.”	There	is	no	“7.”
The	more	often	a	number	is	rolled,	the	more	often	each	
associated	hex	produces	resources.	Note	the	size	of	the	
numbers	and	the	dots	(pips)	beneath	the	numbers	on	the	
tokens.	The	taller	the	number	and	the	larger	the	quantity	of	
dots,	the	more	likely	it	is	that	number	will	be	rolled.	“6”	and	
“8”	(the	red	numbers)	are	the	most	frequently	rolled	numbers.	
They	each	have	5	dots,	because	there	are	5	ways	to	roll	these	
numbers	on	the	2	dice.
The	letters	on	the	back	of	the	number	tokens	are	only	used	
during	the	setup	phase	(see	Set-up,	Variable Y).
P
paThs
Paths are defined as the edges where 
2	hexes	and/or	hexes	and	the	frame	
meet.	Paths	run	along	the	border	of	 
2	terrain	hexes	or	between	a	land	hex	
and the frame. Only one road Y	can	be	
built	on	any	path.	At	each	end	of	a	path	
is an intersection Y.
proGress Cards
Progress	cards	are	a	type	of	development	card.	They	have	
green	frames.	There	are	2	each	of	3	varieties:
Road Building: If you play this card, you may 
immediately	place	2	free	roads	on	the	board	
(according	to	normal	building	rules).
Year of Plenty: If you play this card you may 
immediately take any 2 resource cards from 
the supply stacks. You may use these cards to 
build	in	the	same	turn.
Monopoly: If you play this card, you must 
name	1	type	of	resource.	All	the	other	players	
must	give	you	all of the resource cards of 
this	type	that	they	have	in	their	hands.	If	an	
opponent	does	not	have	a	resource	card	of	
the	specified	type,	he	does	not	have	to	give	
you anything.
You	may	play	only	1	development	card Y during 
your turn.
R
resourCe Cards (resourCes)
There are 5 different types of resources 
(see	page	3):	grain	(from	fields),	brick	(from	
hills),	ore	(from	mountains),	lumber	(from	
forest), and wool (from pasture). These 
resources	are	represented	by	“resource	
cards.”	You	receive	these	cards	as	income	
from	the	resource	production	of	these	hexes.	Resource	
production	is	determined	by	the	dice	roll	at	the	beginning	
of	each	turn.	You	receive	your	income	for	each	terrain	hex	
adjacent	to	your	settlements	or	cities	every	time	the	production	
number	on	the	hex	is	rolled	(exception:	see	Robber Y).
resourCe produCTion
On your turn, you must roll the dice for the turn’s resource 
production.	The	number	rolled	determines	which	hexes	
produce	resources.	Each	number	appears	twice—except	for	
“2”	and	“12,”	which	only	appear	once.
All	players	who	have	settlements Y or cities Y	on	the	hexes	
indicated	by	the	roll	receive	the	yields	(resource	cards)	of	those	
hexes.	Each	settlement	produces	1	resource	card	and	each	city	
produces 2 resource cards.
Example: See Illustration J. Loren, the blue player, rolls a 
“4”. Her settlement “A” borders a hills hex marked by the 
number “4”, so she takes a brick card. If settlement “A” had 
been a city, she would have received 2 brick cards. Bridget 
owns the red settlement “B” that borders on 2 hexes with the 
number “4”: hills and pasture. Bridget takes 1 brick card and 
1 wool card from the supply stacks.
It	is	possible	that	during	the	game	there	will	not	be	enough	
resources	in	the	bank	to	supply	all	of	the	yields.	If	there	are	not	
enough	resource	cards	to	give	every	player	all	the	production	
they	earn,	then	no	player	receives	any	of	that	resource	that	turn.	
Exception: If the shortage of resource cards only affects a 
single	player,	give	that	player	as	many	of	these	resources	as	are	
left	in	the	supply,	and	any	extras	are	lost.	In	either	case, 
   production of other types of resources is not affected.
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
ROAD BUILDING
Place 2 new roads as if
you had just built them.
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
Take any 2 resources from
the bank. Add them to
your hand. They can be
2 of the same resource or
2 different resources.
YEAR OF PLENTY
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
MONOPOLY
When you play this card, 
announce 1 type of resource. 
All other players must give 
you all of their resources 
of that type.
8
•••••
4
•••
3
••
2
•
8
•••••
4
•••
5
••••
A
B
Illustration J
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   10
12/15/14   3:44 PM
11
resourCe Trade
In the second phase of your turn, you may trade with 
the other players. The other players may not trade among 
themselves,	only	with	the	player	whose	turn	it	is.	There	are	 
2 different kinds of trade:
•	Domestic	trade Y and 
•	Maritime	trade Y.
roads
The roads connect your 
settlements and cities. You 
build	roads	on	paths Y. You 
cannot	build	new	settlements	
without	also	building	roads.	
Roads	provide	victory	points	
only	if	you	hold	the	Longest	
Road Y special card. Only 
1	road	may	be	built	on	each	
path.	You	can	build	roads	
along the coast.
Example: See Illustration K. Liam, the white player, would 
like to build a road. He may build (place) his road on any of 
the paths outlined in green. Each of these paths connects to 
either Liam’s road or his settlement, and is not blocked by 
the blue player’s settlement (see the path outlined in red).
robber
The	robber	begins	the	game	in	the	desert Y. 
It	is	moved	only	by	rolling	a	“7” Y or playing  
a	Knight Y card.
If	the	robber	is	moved	to	any	other	terrain	
hex,	he	prevents	that	hex	from	producing	
resources.	Players	with	settlements	and/or	cities	adjacent	to	the	
target	terrain	hex	receive	no	resources	from	this	hex	as	long	as	
the	robber	is	in	the	hex.
“A” and “B” do not receive a brick resource card. This lasts 
until the robber is moved again by another “7” or a knight 
card. Xander may also take 1 resource card at random from 
1 of the players who own settlements “A” or “B”.
rollinG a “7” and aCTivaTinG The robber
If you roll a “7” for resource production, none of the players 
receive	resources.	Instead:
(1)	Each	player	counts	his	resource	cards.	Any	player	with	
more	than	7	resource	cards	(i.e.,	8	or	more)	must	choose	
and	discard	half	of	them.	Return	discards	to	the	supply	
stacks.	If	you	hold	an	odd	number	of	cards,	round	down	
(e.g.,	if	you	have	9	resource	cards,	you	discard	4).
Example: Alex rolls a “7”. He has only 6 cards in his hand. 
Larry has 8 cards and Will has 11. Larry must discard 4 cards 
and Will 5 (rounding down).
(2)	Then	you	(the	player	who	rolled	the	“7”)	must	move	
the	robber Y	to	the	number	token Y of any other terrain 
hex	(or	to	the	desert Y	hex).	This	blocks	the	resource	
production	of	this	hex,	until	the	robber	moves	to	another	
number	token	or	the	desert.
(3)	After	discarding	occurs,	you	also	steal	1	resource	card	at	
random	from	a	player	who	has	a	settlement	or	city	adjacent	
to	this	new	hex.	If	there	are	2	or	more	players	with	
buildings	there,	you	may	choose	from	which	one	to	steal.	
The	robber	must	be	moved.	You	may	not	choose	to	leave	the	
robber	on	the	same	hex.
After	moving	the	robber,	your	turn	continues	with	the	trade	
phase.
See also Knights Y.
S
seTTlemenTs
A	settlement	is	worth	1	victory	point.	
Settlements	are	built	on	intersections Y (where  
3	hexes	meet	or	1	or	2	hexes	meet	the	frame).	
You share in all of the resource production of 
each	terrain	hex	adjacent	to	your	settlements.
You	must	meet	2	conditions	when	building	a	settlement:
(1)	Your	settlement	must	always	connect	to	1	or	more	of	your	
own roads Y.
(2)	You	must	observe	the	Distance	Rule Y.	For	an	example	of	
the	distance	rule,	see	Illustration	M	on	page	12.
Example: See Illustration L. It is Xander’s turn and he rolls a 
“7.” He must move the robber. The robber was in a fields hex. 
Xander places it on the “4” number token of a hills hex. If a 
“4” is rolled in the coming turns, the owners of settlements 
Illustration L
J4
•••
A
B
Robber
Illustration K
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   11
12/15/14   3:44 PM
12
Example: See Illustration M. Olivia, the blue player, wants 
to build a new settlement. She may only do so at one of the 
intersections marked “B”. She cannot build on “A” because 
of the Distance Rule, nor on “C” because no blue road leads 
to this intersection.
Note: If you have built all 5 of your settlements, you must 
upgrade 1 of your settlements to a city before you can build 
another settlement. You will then have the settlement in your 
supply, so you can build another settlement.
seT-up phase
Begin	the	“set-up	
phase” after you 
build	the	game	map	
(see Illustration 
N and Set-up, 
Variable Y).
Everyone	chooses	
a color and takes the 
corresponding game 
pieces:
•	5	settlements;
•	4	cities;
•	15	roads;	and
•	1	building	costs	card.
Sort the resource cards into 5 stacks and place them face up 
beside	the	board.
Shuffle	the	development	cards Y and place them face down 
beside	the	resource	cards.
Place	the	2	special	cards	and	the	dice	beside	the	board.
Place	the	robber	in	the	desert.
The	set-up	phase	has	2	rounds.	Each	player	builds	1	road	and	
1	settlement	per	round.
Round One
Each	player	rolls	both	dice.	The	
player who rolls highest is the starting 
player	and	begins.
The starting player places a 
settlement on an unoccupied 
intersection Y	of	his	choice.	He	places	
a	road	adjacent	to	this	settlement.
The other players then follow clockwise.
Everyone	places	1	settlement	and	1	adjoining	road.
Important: When placing all other settlements, the Distance 
Rule Y (see page 7) always applies!
Round Two
Once	all	players	have	built	their	first	settlement,	the	player	
who	went	last	in	the	first	round	begins	round	two:	he	builds	his	
second	settlement	and	its	adjacent	road.
Note: After he builds, the other players follow 
counterclockwise, so the starting player in round one places 
his second settlement last.
The	second	settlement	can	be	placed	on	any	unoccupied	
intersection,	as	long	as	the	Distance	Rule	is	observed.	It	
doesn’t	have	to	connect	to	the	first	settlement.	The	second	road	
must	attach	to	the	second	settlement	(pointing	in	any	of	the	3	
directions).
Each	player	receives	his	starting	resources	immediately	after	
building	his	second	settlement;	for	each	terrain	hex	adjacent	to	
this second settlement, he takes a corresponding resource card 
from the supply.
Note: The starting player (the last to place his second 
settlement) begins the game: He rolls both dice for resource 
production. You can find helpful tips about the set-up phase 
under “Tactics.”
seT-up, variable
Assemble	the	frame	as	outlined	on	pages	2-3.
Note: If you want to vary relative harbor locations slightly, 
just shuffle the order of the frame pieces and do not place 
the random harbor 
pieces as outlined 
below in point 2.
Turn	the	terrain	hexes	
face down. Shuffle the 
terrain	hexes.
1.	Randomly	place	
the terrain tiles face 
up inside the frame 
arranged as shown in 
Illustration O.
Illustration M
Suggested Beginners’ Map Set-up
Illustration N
9
••••
2
•
8
•••••
10
•••
5
••••
12
•
5
••••
4
•••
11
••
10
•••
11
••
6
•••••
4
•••
9
••••
6
•••••
3
••
3
••
8
•••••
Illustration O
A
C B B
B
A
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   12
12/15/14   3:45 PM
13
2. Now take the  
9	harbor	pieces	(the	
small 5-sided pieces 
with ships on them) 
and randomly place 
one on top of each 
harbor	on	the	frame.	
See Illustration P.
3.	Place	the	18	number	tokens	as	shown	in	Illustration	Q:
•	Sort	the	number	
tokens	beside	the	
board,	letter	side	
face up.
•	Place	1	token	on	
each	land	hex.	Start	
at a corner of the 
island. Place the 
number	tokens	on	
the	terrain	hexes	in	
alphabetical	order,	
proceeding counter-
clockwise toward the center. Skip the desert.
Important: Alternatively, you can use a fully random set-up. 
Place 1 token on each land hex. Start at one corner of the 
island, and place the number tokens in random order. In 
such case, the tokens with the red numbers must not be next 
to each other. You may have to swap tokens to ensure that no 
red numbers are on adjacent hexes.
Note: The desert never gets a number token. It should be 
skipped.
More	set-up	instructions	can	be	found	in	“Set-up	Phase.” Y
soldier Cards
Some earlier editions of Catan had soldier cards. These are 
now	called	knight	cards.	See	Knight	Cards Y.
sTarTinG seT-up for beGinners
If	you	want	to	use	the	starting	set-up,	lay	out	the	board	as	
shown	in	Illustration	R	(and	the	Game	Overview):
•	Assemble	the	frame	exactly	as	shown	in	Illustration	R.
•	Place	the	terrain	hexes	exactly	as	shown	in	Illustration	R.
•	Place	2	settlements	and	2	roads	of	each	color	as	shown.
If	only	3	are	playing,	remove	the	red	pieces.
•	Each	player	receives	the	3	resources	from	the	terrain	hexes	
adjacent	to	his	settlement	marked	by	the	white	star.
The oldest player is the starting player. The oldest player takes 
the first turn and rolls for resource production.
T
TaCTiCs
Since	you	play	Catan	with	a	variable	map,	the	tactical	
considerations of each game are different. There are, 
nevertheless,	some	common	points	you	should	consider:
•	Brick	and	lumber	are	the	most	important	resources	at	the	
beginning	of	the	game.	You	need	both	to	build	roads	and	
settlements.	You	should	try	to	place	at	least	1	of	your	first	
settlements	on	a	good	forest	or	hills	hex.
•	Do	not	underestimate	the	value	of	harbors.	For	instance,	a	
player	with	settlements	or	cities	on	productive	fields	should	
try	to	build	a	settlement	on	the	“grain”	harbor.
•	Leave	enough	room	to	expand	when	placing	your	first	2	
settlements.	Look	at	your	opponents’	sites	and	roads	before	
making	a	placement.	Beware	of	getting	surrounded!	If	you	
plan	to	build	toward	a	harbor,	the	middle	of	the	island	may	
be	a	tricky	place	for	a	starting	settlement,	for	it	can	easily	
be	cut	off	from	the	coast.
•	The	more	you	trade,	the	better	your	chances	of	victory.	
Even	if	it	is	not	your	turn,	you	should	offer	trades	to	the	
current player!
Illustration Q
5
••••
2
•
3
••
8
•••••
10
•••
9
••••
12
•
11
••
4
•••
8
•••••
10
•••
9
••••
4
•••
5
••••
6
•••••
3
••
11
••
6
•••••
Illustration P
Illustration R
H
D
H
9
••••
2
•
8
•••••
10
•••
5
••••
12
•
5
••••
4
•••
11
••
10
•••
11
••
6
•••••
4
•••
9
••••
6
•••••
3
••
3
••
8
•••••
Robber
H
H
H
H
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   13
12/15/14   3:46 PM
14
Trade
After you roll for resource production, you may trade with 
other players (domestic trade Y)	or	with	the	bank	(maritime	
trade Y).
•	You	may	trade	as	long	as	you	have	resource	cards.
•	If	you	decide	not	to	trade	during	your	turn,	 
no one can trade.
•	You	may	trade	with	another	player	between	your	turns,	but	
only if it is his turn and he elects to trade with you.
•	You	may	not	trade	with	the	bank	during	another	 
player’s turn.
•	You	may not	give	away	cards.
•	You	may not	trade	development	cards.
•	You	may not	trade	like	resources	(e.g.,	2	wool	for	1	wool).
V
viCTory poinT Cards
Victory	point	cards	are	development	cards Y, so they 
can	be	“bought.”	These	orange	framed	development	cards	
represent important cultural 
achievements,	represented	by	
certain	buildings.
Each	victory	point	card	is	
worth	1	victory	point.	You	only	
reveal	your	victory	point	cards	
when you or someone else 
wins	the	game!	Keep	victory	
point cards hidden until you 
have	10	points	during	your	
turn and you can declare 
victory.	(You	should	also	
reveal	them	if	someone	else	wins.)
Hint: Again, keep your victory point cards hidden until the 
end of the game. Place them face down in front of you. Of 
course, if you have 1 or 2 unused cards face down in front of 
you for a long time, the other players will assume that they 
are victory point cards.
viCTory poinTs
The	first	player	to	reach	(be	at)	10	victory	points	(VPs)	 
on his/her turn wins the game.
Players	acquire	victory	points	(VPs)	for	the	following:
1 settlement	=	1	VP
1 city	=	2	VPs
Longest Road special card	=	2	VPs
Largest Army special card	=	2	VPs
Victory point (VP) card	=	1	VP
Since	each	player	begins	with	2	settlements,	each	player	
begins	the	game	with	2	victory	points.
Therefore,	you	only	need	8	more	victory	points	to	win	the	
game!
Hint: In Catan, you will often see an icon of a 
rising sun (on VP cards and special VP cards, etc.). 
This is the VP symbol. It is a visual reminder for the 
things, other than settlements and cities, that earn you VPs. 
Each VP symbol you see is worth 1 VP.
©
 2
01
5
 C
a
ta
n
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Po
int!
Reveal this 
card on you
r 
turn if, with
 it, you reac
h 
the number
 of points 
required for
 victory.
LIBRARY
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
MARKET
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
CHAPEL
©
 2
01
5
 C
a
ta
n
 G
m
bH
1 Victo
ry Poi
nt!
Reveal
 this ca
rd on y
our 
turn if
, with 
it, you
 reach
 
the nu
mber o
f point
s 
requir
ed for 
victory
.
GREAT
 HALL
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
UNIVERSITY
A	general	note	on	Catan	rules.	This	is	the	5th	English-
language edition of Catan (aka Settlers of Catan).	Over	the	
years,	the	rules	have	been	clarified,	refined,	and	occasionally	
updated.	As	of	January	1,	2015,	all	of	the	rules	in	this	version	
of	Catan	take	precedence	over	any	previously-published	rules.
= 2 VPs
= 2 VPs
= 2 VPs
= 1 VP
Victory Points in Catan
= 1 VP
©
 2
01
5 
C
at
an
 G
m
bH
1 Victory Point!
Reveal this card on your 
turn if, with it, you reach 
the number of points 
required for victory.
UNIVERSITY
laRGest aRmy
2 Victory Points!
The first player to play 3 Knight cards 
gets this card. Another player who plays 
more Knight cards takes this card.
2 Victory Points!
This card goes to the player with the  
longest road of at least 5 segments.  
Another player who builds a longer  
road takes this card.
lonGest Road
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   14
12/15/14   3:46 PM
15
almanaC index
Entries 
Page
Build	(Building)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Building	Costs	Cards  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Combined	Trade/Build	Phase  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6
Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Development	Cards  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7
Distance	Rule .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7
Domestic Trade .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7
Ending	the	Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Game	Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Harbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Intersections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Knight	Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Largest	Army  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Longest	Road  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 9
Maritime Trade  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 9
Number	Tokens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Progress	Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Resource	Cards	(Resources)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  10
Resource	Production  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  10
Resource	Trade .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  11
Roads .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  11
Robber  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  11
Rolling	a	“7”	and	Activating	the	Robber . . . . . . . . . . 11
Settlements  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  11
Set-up Phase  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Set-up,	Variable .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  12
Soldier	Cards  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  13
Starting	Set-up	for	Beginners  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  13
Tactics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Trade  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  14
Victory	Point	Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Victory Points .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  14
CrediTs
Designer:	Klaus	Teuber	(www.klausteuber.com)
Original Development:	TM-Spiele	GmbH
5th Ed. Development Team: Pete Fenlon, Arnd Fischer,  
	
Ron	Magin,	Benjamin	Teuber,	and	Guido	Teuber
Art:	Michael	Menzel,	Pete	Fenlon
Art Direction & Graphic Design: Pete Fenlon,  
	
Michaela	Kienle,	and	Ron	Magin
Production:	Ron	Magin	&	Pete	Fenlon
Special Thanks: Richard	Bertok,	Peter	Bromley,	Robert	T.	
Carty,	Jr.,	Coleman	Charlton,	Dan	Decker,	Patrick	De	La	Font,	
Marinda	Darnell,	Morgan	Dontanville,	Chris	Funk,	Beatrice	
Jones,	Phil	Kaplan,	Hazel	Kemp,	Aud	Ketilsdatter	(LSKC/354-
2),	Rebecca	Kjeer,	Kim	Marino,	Brad	McWillaims,	Jim	Miles,	
Trish	Miller,	Sebastian	Rapp,	Chuck	Rice,	Bridget	Roznai,	
Larry	Roznai,	Loren	Roznai,	Brad	Steffen,	Brian	Steffan,	Bill	
Wordelmann,	Elaine	Wordelmann,	Alex	Yeager,	Julie	Yeager,	and	
Gero	Zahn.
Original Product Development:	Coleman	Charlton,	Robert	T.	Carty	
Jr.,	Pete	Fenlon,	Nick	Johnson,	Will	Niebling,	William	Niebling,	Guido	
Teuber,	Larry	Roznai,	and	Alex	Yeager. 
With thanks to:	Bridget	Roznai,	Loren	Roznai,	Schar	Niebling,	Peter	
Bromley,	Darwin	Bromley,	Trella	Bromley,	Bill	Wordelmann,	Elaine	
Wordelmann,	Lou	Rexing,	Tom	Smith,	Keywood	Cheeves,	Mike	Strack,	
Benny	Teuber,	Claudia	Teuber,	Liam	Teuber,	Leif	Teuber,	Emily	Johnson,	
Olivia	Johnston,	Karl	Roelofs,	Arnd	Beenen,	Gero	Zahn,	and	the	late	Scott	
Anderson.
Copyright	©	1995,	1997,	1999,	2005,	2007,	2015	Catan	
GmbH	and	Mayfair	Games,	Inc.	Published	under	license	from	
Catan	GmbH.	Published	in	cooperation	with	Kosmos	Verlag.	
Catan, The Settlers of Catan, and all other product titles and 
marks	listed	herein	are	trademarks	of	Catan	GmbH.	All	rights	
reserved.
You	have	purchased	a	product	of	the	highest	quality.	However,	
should you find that any of your components are missing or 
defective,	please	email	us	at:
custserv@mayfairgames.com	
or write to us at:
8060	St.	Louis	Ave.	Skokie	IL	60076	USA.
mayfair Games, inC.
www.mayfairgames.com
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   15
12/15/14   3:46 PM
16
The	island	of	Catan	lies	before	you.	The	isle	consists	of	 
19	terrain	tiles	surrounded	by	ocean.	Your	goal	is	to	settle	on	
Catan,	and	expand	your	territory	until	it	becomes	the	largest	and	
most	glorious	in	Catan.
There	are	five	productive	terrain	types	and	one	desert	on	
Catan.	Each	terrain	type	produces	a	different	type	of	resource	
(The	desert	produces	nothing).	Each	resource	you	receive	is	
represented	by	a	card.	Here’s	what	each	terrain	produces:
You only collect resources if you own a settlement or city 
bordering	these	terrain	hexes.	In	the	illustration,	the	red	
settlement	[A]	borders	the	“10”	mountains	and	orange	settlement	
[B]	borders	the	“10”	hills.	If	a	“10”	is	rolled,	the	red	player	
receives	1	ore	card	and	the	orange	player	receives	1	brick	card.
Since	the	settlements	and	cities	usually	border	on	2-3	terrain	
types,	they	can	“harvest”	up	to	3	different	resources	based	
on	the	dice	roll.	Here,	the	white	settlement	[C]	borders	on	forest,	
mountains,	and	pasture.	A	settlement	at	[D]	would	only	harvest	the	
production	from	2	terrain	hexes	(hills	and	mountains).	Finally,	a	
settlement	at	[E]	would	only	harvest	the	production	from	1	terrain	
hex	(pasture).	However	[E]	is	also	at	a	sheep	harbor.
Since	it’s	impossible	for	you	to	have	settlements	adjacent	to	
all	terrain	hexes	and	number	tokens,	you	may	receive	certain	
resources	only	at	rare	intervals—or	never.	This	is	tough,	because	
building	requires	specific	resource	combinations.
For this reason, you can trade with other players. Make them 
an	offer!	A	successful	trade	might	yield	you	a	big	build!
You	can	only	build	new	a	settlement	on	an	unoccupied	
intersection	if	you	have	a	road	leading	to	that	intersection	and	
the nearest settlement is at least two intersections away.
Carefully	consider	where	you	build	settlements.	The	numbers	
on	the	round	tokens	are	depicted	in	varying	sizes.	They	also	
have	dots	(pips)	below	the	numbers.	The	taller	the	
depicted	number,	and	the	more	pips	it	has,	the	more	
likely	that	number	is	to	be	
rolled.	The	red	numbers	
6	and	8	are	the	tallest	
numbers	with	the	most	pips;	they	
are	likely	to	be	rolled	most	
frequently.
Bottom line: The more 
frequently	a	number	is	
rolled, the more often 
the	hexes	with	those	
numbers	produce	
resources. 
You should 
consider 
settling on 
hexes	that	have	
good potential for 
production (i.e.  
6 and 8 vs. 2 and 12).  
However,	these	same	
high-producing	hexes	are	
often the primary target for 
the	robber.
You	begin	the	game	with	2	settlements	and	2	roads.	Each	
settlement	is	worth	1	victory	point.	You	therefore	start	the	
game	with	2	victory	points!	The	first	player	to	acquire	10	victory	
points on his/her turn wins the game.
To	gain	more	victory	points,	you	
must	build	new	roads	and	
settlements and upgrade your 
settlements to cities. Each city 
is	worth	2	victory	points.	To	
build	or	upgrade,	you	need	
to acquire resources.
How do you 
acquire 
resources? It’s 
simple. Each 
turn, 2 dice 
are rolled to 
determine 
which terrain 
hexes	produce	
resources. Each 
terrain	hex	is	marked	
with	a	round	number	
token.	If,	for	example,	a	
“10”	is	rolled,	all	terrain	
hexes	with	a	“10”	number	
token	produce	resources—in	
the illustration on the right, those 
terrain	hexes	are	a	mountains	 
hex	(ore)	and	a	hills	hex	(brick).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
8
•••••
D
H
9
••••
2
•
8
•••••
10
•••
5
••••
12
•
5
••••
4
•••
11
••
10
•••
11
••
6
•••••
4
•••
9
••••
6
•••••
3
••
3
••
8
•••••
Harbor
Path
Robber
Intersection
A
B
C
H
D
H
H
H
Hills  
Produce Brick
Forest  
Produces Lumber
Mountains  
Produce Ore
Fields  
Produce Grain
Pasture  
Produces Wool
Desert  
Produces Nothing
E
11
Catan 2015 Base Rules.indd   16
12/15/14   3:47 PM
</p>