Board Game: Catan - Trade Build Settle

Creag

Creag

The Boar's Rock
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I have been looking for a new board game. My gaming preference has always been toward things like civilization, economics and strategy. Catan seems like it may be an appropriate board game to purchase.

While it all looks good on the box and reviews, I don't know anyone who has it or played it (which probably doesn't say much for my social life outside of the internet :o).

Anyone got or played it? Your thoughts?

Thank you :)
 
Own Settlers of Catan. Give that a bash instead. It's so good, my mother in law stole our copy and we bought another, as well as a set for friends of ours.
 
Messugga said:
Own Settlers of Catan. Give that a bash instead. It's so good, my mother in law stole our copy and we bought another, as well as a set for friends of ours.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice. I didn't realise there was a different edition or is this the original board game?

Another question, if I may: what is the minimum age of player you'd recommend?

(My daughter is 12 and quite a bright mind. If she is likely to enjoy this, it would make it so much more enjoyable for me to do something like this with her.)
 
McT said:
Thank you for the advice. I didn't realise there was a different edition or is this the original board game?

Another question, if I may: what is the minimum age of player you'd recommend?

(My daughter is 12 and quite a bright mind. If she is likely to enjoy this, it would make it so much more enjoyable for me to do something like this with her.)
Click to expand...
The game is simple. If she can handle monopoly, she can handle this. It gets complicated once you start thinking about strategy and whatnot, but it really doesn't need to be.
Settlers also has expansion packs for more players and whatnot, if you want. Haven't personally bothered with it, but friends have and it adds some extra content.
 
Messugga said:
The game is simple. If she can handle monopoly, she can handle this. It gets complicated once you start thinking about strategy and whatnot, but it really doesn't need to be.
Settlers also has expansion packs for more players and whatnot, if you want. Haven't personally bothered with it, but friends have and it adds some extra content.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Appreciate you taking the time to give the info :)
 
Everything you need to know is right here... (Also check out some of the other games reviewed)...

[video=youtube;o3WJTlDa7oo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WJTlDa7oo[/video]
 
I'm also looking to purchase some of the settlers of catan range but it seems the 5th edition version prices are heavily inflated,I cant remember the 4th edition selling for this much. Any idea where i can still purchase the 4th editions?
 
McT said:
Thank you for the advice. I didn't realise there was a different edition or is this the original board game?

Another question, if I may: what is the minimum age of player you'd recommend?

(My daughter is 12 and quite a bright mind. If she is likely to enjoy this, it would make it so much more enjoyable for me to do something like this with her.)
Click to expand...

They aren't different, just a new edition with new packaging. Up to the fourth edition the game was called Settlers of Catan, now they just call it Catan.

I've been playing it for 5 or 6 years now. The straight truth: Catan is like crack. It is easy to learn, brilliant fun to play, and hellishly addictive. Unlike Risk or Monopoly you can never be eliminated from the game, so everyone can enjoy themselves to the end. There is a lot of social interaction with players trading among each other, so it's a great group activity.

Word of caution though: a) Your 12-year old will most likely pick it up faster than you and wipe the floor with you, b) You need minimum three players for most versions of the game, and c) After playing the base game for a while, you will want to run out and buy the expansions. This is normal and acceptable behaviour. Just let it happen.
 
M@ximus said:
I'm also looking to purchase some of the settlers of catan range but it seems the 5th edition version prices are heavily inflated,I cant remember the 4th edition selling for this much. Any idea where i can still purchase the 4th editions?
Click to expand...

Have you tried Takealot? They may still stock the older ones but I expect them to disappear quite quickly.

Edit: Nope, no luck. There is a boardgame store at Doornkloof Mall in Centurion that may be able to help you.
 
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Settlers of Catan is an insane amount of fun. Have a group of friends and we were never really into board games but since we got Catan we play at least once a week. It's really great.
 
Catan is what is called a gateway game for most boardgamers. It is indeed like a drug. Something not too heavy to get you started.
My friends and I started with Catan but quickly moved on to more complicated games and other genres.

It is a basic resource collection game and is very dependent on the luck of the dice. (choosing positions close to higher probable numbers obviously adds to the strategy.

As Herr_Koos said, you will want some expansions soon. (I prefer the Cities and Knights expansion and play the digital version a lot)

The only problem I have with the expansions are that you get the base game for 3-4 players. Then a 5-6 player expansion of the base game. Then several expansions. And also their 5-6 player expansions. It adds up really fast.

I would suggest that once you get to the point where you need to buy expansions you consider a more "advanced" or complicated game. There are a lot of great options. If you have some time to kill and are interested in knowing more check out table Tabletop series by Geek and Sundry on Youtube. Its a 30-40 minute show where Will Weaton plays different boardgames with some of his geek culture friends. Its very informative and teaches viewers about the different games.
 
Ticket to ride should be the next game after Catan.

the reason I do not do Catan is because it has dice, so the best laid plans of mice and men can go flying out the window when 2 is rolled 12 turns in a row. and yes I ahve had that happen to me.

Ticket gives you all the Strategy and removes a lot of the luck.

also you can most likely try our a few games at places like Icon and rAge to get a feel for what the family will enjoy more, but seeing as they are yearly events you can also check out Deetwenty and maybe try out some games there first.

I also have a copy of Catan I no longer use with the 5 to 6 player expansion I might sell at some point
 
NihilimSA said:
Ticket to Ride was our next game as well. Great fun for 2-5 players.
Click to expand...

I now own:
USA
USA 1910 (different cities matter more)
Europe (added in ferries, stations and Tunnels)
Switzerland and India (India is loads of fun)
Africa (almost feels like a different game)
Netherlands (got it a few weeks ago have not had time to play it yet)

I am missing China, Germany and scandina a UK map was brought out this year but I have never had an opportunity to buy it.


This year at ICON there will be a tournament where the winner will get tickets to the world championships happening in Europe somewhere (I think Paris or Berlin cant remember now) so winning 5 or 6 games of ticket USA over two days with random people could win you a nice plane ticket...
 
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