Catan

Catan is the game that convinced millions of people that board games could be more than Monopoly. It has been translated into dozens of languages, sold tens of millions of copies, and caused more arguments about the value of ore than anything else in human history. It deserves the reputation.

How it works

Players settle an island made of hexagonal tiles, each producing a resource: wood, brick, sheep, wheat or ore. Each turn the dice decide which tiles produce, and players with settlements next to those tiles collect resources.

You trade and spend resources to build roads, settlements and cities, and to buy development cards. The first player to ten victory points wins.

The catch: resources are spread unevenly, everyone wants the same tiles, and trading means relying on the goodwill of people who are trying to beat you.

What makes it interesting

Catan is easy to pick up (the rules take about fifteen minutes to explain) but has enough strategy to reward experience. Where you place at the start shapes the whole game. Working out what your opponents need, and deciding whether to trade it to them or hold on to it, is a real decision.

The robber, which blocks production and lets you steal resources, turns a pleasant resource game into something a bit more personal.

Teaching it

Most groups enjoy Catan the first time, but the first game often feels lopsided because new players don’t yet see the value of ports, blocking roads or expanding early. I give the group enough guidance to make good decisions from the start, without playing the game for them.

Best for

Families and mixed groups, or anyone who wants a proper strategy game that isn’t intimidating to learn. It works well when the group has both experienced and new players.

Expansions

I bring the full Catan expansion library, so I can pick the version that suits your group rather than whatever happens to fit in the box:

• 5-6 Player Extension: for bigger birthday parties and family gatherings, so nobody sits out
• Seafarers: ships, islands and a map that spreads across the table
• Cities & Knights: a heavier, more strategic version for experienced groups
• Traders & Barbarians: extra scenarios and variants for groups who’ve played before