SETTLERS OF CATAN STRATEGY
There are some prescribed strategies to emerge successful in this game.
- Expand Early - In Settlers of Catan, the earlier you build a settlement, the more resources it will provide overall. So, focus first on building more settlements before you start going for longest road or buying development cards. It is generally better to build a settlement in the early game since settlements increase the variety of resources you generate and also take away the opportunity for your opponents to generate those resources.
- Brick for the win - In a game of Settlers of Catan which does not include any major expansions (Seafarers or Cities and Knights), brick is the most valuable resource. There are only 3 brick and 3 ore tiles while there are 4 of every other type. While ore is necessary for cities (which you need at least one of to win), brick is necessary for roads and settlements, both of which are the cornerstone of early expansion, which is absolutely necessary to win
- Where, oh where, should my settlement be - The most important decisions you will make in Settlers of Catan are the placements of your two starting settlements. Some players have already lost the game because their settlements are on poor production tiles and/or they have little room for expansion. How to place your settlements is very dependent on which place you are in for the order of placement. If you are first or second, then you should pick the best available spot on the board. The best spot on the board is the one which has three different resources on it (hopefully one of which is brick or wood, though if two are wheat and ore that is nice as well) and a total number of dots on the three tiles next to the spot equal to 12 or 13. If you haven't noticed already, each number which you place on a tile has some dots below the number. The more dots on a number, the more likely it will be rolled. So, something like a spot next to wood, brick, and sheep with a 6, 9, and 5 is an amazing spot, possibly the best you will ever see.
- The other strategies include that you should be a shrewd trader which implies that you should trade intelligently and aggressively and progressing than your opponents.
