Catan Strategy: Settlement Placement (201806)

Let's practice one of the most important decisions in Catan: the initial settlements - this time on Catan Universe!

FAQ
Q: What site is this?
A: Prior to its closure on May 31, 2018, PlayCatan. Afterwards, Catan Universe.

Q: How do you calculate the “points” of an intersection?
A: The number tiles have pips beneath them that represent the frequency that number will be rolled (e.g. 6 and 8 have 5 pips under each representing a 5/36th probability of rolling that number). If you add up all the pips of an intersection, that is the productive value of that intersection. For example a 5/8/10, would be worth 12 points. 5 = 4 pips, 8 = 5 pips, 10 = 3 pips. 12 pips = 12/36 cards per turn, or 1 card every 3 turns. If you upgrade that intersection to a city, you would get 2 cards every 3 turns. I recommend memorizing the pips of each number to quickly recognize the best producing spots on the board. It also helps when you play craps!

Q: Where can I find a complete set of your “rules”?
A: Inspired by the movie Zombieland, I created these rules for Catan. They are a work in progress, but a way for me to say thank you to all the folks who have encouraged me along the way. Good luck!

Placements
Rule #1 Ore Wins
Rule #2 Production, Production, Production
Rule #3 No Wheat = Defeat
Rule #4.1 Get All Five Resources, if Possible
Rule #4.2 However, Ore/Wheat/Sheep Is Still Very Strong
Rule #5 Think About Ports
Rule #6.1 Good Ratio of Wood:Brick is 1:1
Rule #6.2 Good Ratio of Ore:Wheat:Sheep is 5:3:2
Rule #7 Point Roads to Coasts or Desert
Rule #8 Don’t Be Greedy (7-8pt Spots Will Be Contested)

Placements Cont’d.
Rule #10 When First, Check the Edges
Rule #11 When Third, Take Rare Resources
Rule #12 When Second, Predict Last Placement
Rule #13 Free Road? Yes, Please
Rule #14 Same Numbers Mean Feast or Famine

Trading
Rule #15 Trade Before Building
Rule #16 Trade Freely on Your Turn
Rule #17 Trade Freely for Resources You Don’t Produce

Gameplay
Rule #20 Track Who’s Going for Largest Army & Longest Road
Rule #21 Get to a Port
Rule #22 Largest Army is Better Than Longest Road
Rule #23 Table Talk Works
Rule #24 When Ahead, Buy Dev. Cards
Rule #25 Don’t Make Yourself a Target
Rule #26 Know Your Win Condition(s)
Rule #27 When Behind, Build Cities
Rule #28 Avoid Confrontations
Rule #29 Wood/Brick Player Should Take Risks

Development Cards
Rule #30 Use Knights Before Rolling (Except When Holding 7 Cards)
Rule #31 Save Monos for the End
Rule #32 Beware of Monos
Rule #34 Road Building? Plan Ahead
Rule #35 Use Invention for Rare Resources
Rule #36 Don’t Take Army Too Early
Rule #41 Track Dev. Cards Remaining

Robber
Rule #50 Block/Rob the Leader
Rule #51 Unfair Robber? Play Tit for Tat
Rule #52 Block Resources You Produce
Rule #53 Racing Someone? Rob Him & Block What He Needs to Win the Race