CATAN for Two!
Three or four players always makes for the best CATAN games, but when you’re staying at
home and don’t have additional players, these two-player rules will get you by. (This rule set can be found
in the Traders & Barbarians Expansion, as well!)
WHAT YOU NEED SET-UP
CATAN base game Set up the terrain hexes as usual in the white area shown
Two players below. For each neutral player, place 1 settlement (without a
20 trade tokens (You can use common household items: road) on one of the intersections of the game board marked
beans, beads, coins, etc.) in the below illustration.
You and your opponent then build your two starting
PREPARATION settlements with roads, according to the normal set-up rules.
Place the two sets of game pieces not chosen by the players Therefore, after finishing the set-up phase, each player has
beside the game board. They will serve as game components 2 settlements and 2 roads on the game board, while each
for two imaginary neutral players. neutral player has 1 settlement.
Place the trade tokens beside the board. At the beginning of
the game, each player receives 5 trade tokens. PLAYING THE GAME
In general, the normal 3-4 player rules for CATAN apply.
The changes are described below.
Rolling for Production
On your turn, you roll the dice twice in a row.
It is essential that the two dice roll results differ from one
another. If the second dice roll gives the same result as
the first one, roll again until you get a different result.
Immediately after each of the two dice rolls, the
two real players obtain resources and/or move the
robber (a “7” result).
Building for the Neutral
Players
Whenever you build a road or a settlement,
you must also build (for free) 1 road or 1
settlement for either of the two neutral players. If
there is no legal settlement location for the neutral
players, you must build a road instead.
You do not follow this process when you build a
city or buy a development card. In those cases, you do
nothing for the neutral players.
Two other important points about the neutral players:
• They never receive resources.
• They can obtain the Longest Road.
#StayAndPlay
Using Trade Tokens to Take Actions hold the Largest Army card and discard a face-up knight card,
On your turn, you may pay 1 or 2 trade tokens and take one you might have to set aside the Largest Army card. If you only
of these actions: have 2 face-up knight cards after discarding, set it aside. If
Action “Forced Trade”: You draw 2 random cards from you and your opponent have the same number of face-up
your opponent’s hand; in exchange, you give your opponent knight cards (or your opponent has more) after discarding,
2 cards of your choice from your own hand. If your opponent set it aside. Thereafter, a player that has the most (at least 3)
only has 1 card, you can take it, but still must give that face-up knight cards takes the Largest Army card.
opponent 2 cards in exchange. When you build a settlement adjacent to the desert hex,
Action “Move the Robber”: You may move the robber to take 2 trade tokens (also applies during the set-up phase).
the desert hex. When you build a settlement on the coast, take 1 trade
If your victory point total is less than or equal to your token (also applies during the set-up phase).
opponent’s total, you must pay 1 trade token to take an When you build a settlement adjacent to both the desert and the
action. Otherwise, an action costs you 2 trade tokens. Return coast, you take 3 trade tokens (also applies during the set-up phase).
spent trade tokens to the supply. CREDITS
Replenishing Trade Tokens Design: Klaus Teuber
Once during your turn, you may discard one of your face- Artwork: Michael Menzel
up knight cards and take 2 trade tokens in exchange. If you Production & Rules Development: Catan Studio
Want more two-player options?
CATAN Dice Game Struggle for CATAN
CATAN Traveler also includes this is a fast-playing roll- is a card game that
Rivals for CATAN is a card 2-player variant! can be played with
and-write game for any
game specifically designed for two to four players.
number of players.
two players. Two expansions
available!
Copyright © 2020 Catan, GmbH and Catan Studio. CATAN, CATAN for Two, The Settlers of Catan, the character images, the “Catan Board” mark and the “Catan Sun” mark are trademarks of Catan
GmbH and are used under license by Catan Studio. All rights reserved. Published by Catan Studio, 1995 W. County Rd. B2, Roseville, MN 55113.
