Number Tokens: Remove one each of the 3, 4, 10 and 11 number tokens. Start placing tiles using the “Variable Set-Up” method as per the standard Rules, but randomize the Resource and Water cards by rolling a single die: Place the Water tiles (the 6 unused Resource Tiles, upside down) in another pile. Placing Resource Tiles on the Game Board: Take the 13 resource tiles and the desert tile, shuffle well, and place them in one pile, face up. 5 Water Cards (the upside down Resource Tiles mentioned above ).The Game Board uses the following Resource Tiles: Resource Tiles: TAKE ONE OF EACH RESOURCE TILE AND TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN. This will leave a Water Border, and Ports will be placed later. Solution? Proportionally more Ports in Play!īuild the game border upside down so that no ports are showing. Player/player trading doesn't happen, since any trade helps your ONLY competitor.Solution? Special features to increase chances to get Resources! Because there are only 2 players, there are fewer chances between turns to get Resources than when playing with 3 or 4 players.With only 2 players, one player can run away with the game in the early stages. This isn't as big of a problem in a 3 or 4 player game, since the other players tend to 'gang up' on the leading player. In a 2 player game, once a player gets ahead in resource gathering potential (settlements and cities in good locations), it is nearly impossible for the other player to catch up.There is less competition for territory because there is more land per player.When played by 2 players, the game has issues that affect play if standard rules are used. “Settlers of Catan” is designed for 3 or 4 players. Take a look at my YouTube video for a great 2 Player Settlers of Catan version: We've played dozens of games with these rules and the games are fairly balanced thanks to the Robber Equalizer rule, though the rule does lead to not being so afraid about having to discard half your hand later in the game as the 7 may not stick, which can be an advantage to the player in the lead. If the robber does not stick, then then the dice must be rerolled, and only a number other than 7 will count. Each time a 7 is rolled by the player who is ahead, reroll the dice and the 7 sticks if the roll is high enough according to the chart - for example if you're ahead by 1 and 2/3, you need to roll 6 or higher for the robber to stick: Point Minimum Then add 1/3 for each played soldier, each road link, and each unplayed development card.Ī 7 rolled by someone who is behind always counts. First determine how far behind you are by counting up victory points in the normal manner for settlements and cities (but don't include longest road or largest army).

The Robber Equalizer rule is our slow-the-leader mechanism, and it works by making rolls of 7 less and less likely to stick the further behind you are. 7's get rerolled for the first 6 rounds of play (we call this.A set of randomized numbers on either side of barbell (set 1:.3 of each resource hex (ores always placed as shown with 3-8-11,.

Change hex setup to barbell shape (see picture).

We've played many enjoyable games with the following system that does nothing to deal with the loss of trading, but handles the other issues raised above quite well:

Best catan expansion for 2 players