Hmm... the popular games with young children amongst my friends include such classics as Ticket to Ride, Zooloretto, Hey! That's my Fish! and Chrononauts. That's with 7 and up.
What ages are your kids?
Cheers!
[Board Games] Settlers of Catan
- Thread starter Angel Tarragon
- Start date
Hmm... the popular games with young children amongst my friends include such classics as Ticket to Ride, Zooloretto, Hey! That's my Fish! and Chrononauts. That's with 7 and up.
What ages are your kids?
Cheers!
ThirdWizard
First Post
Okay, I just got this game and have had a blast with it. I have a question: where can I find Hex Setups? I've been using the basic setup of the hexes in the instructions, but I was hoping to find some variety. I don't want to try my hand at a hex setup myself right now because it would be an easy thing to mess up, I would think. So, I'm trying to find some alternative hex configurations, but the Internet is not forthcoming. Anyone know any sites or builds I could try?
Simon Atavax
First Post
Don't forget STARFARERS OF CATAN, the red-headed sci-fi stepchild of clan Catan. It's a truly great game.
There's also a two-player only game called STARSHIP CATAN, great in its own right.
There's also a two-player only game called STARSHIP CATAN, great in its own right.
Simon Atavax
First Post
Hmmm. I imagine that basic Settlers could play fine with kids ages 7-8 or so, though I personally haven't tried it.
But just a warning to all you parents out there: do NOT buy THE KIDS OF CATAN thinking, "This'll be a great game for the kids!" It's painfully simple. My five-year-old got bored of it very quickly. My wife and I renamed it THE TODDLERS OF CATAN, since that's about the only age group that it might appeal to.
am181d
Adventurer
My group plays C&K about twice a month with 5-6 players. A game normally runs right at 2 hours with the odd one going 2.5. Give it another try or add a timer![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
I've played C&K with three players probably 100+ times and the average length of time it's taken is about two hours. (With regular Catan clocking in closer to 45 minutes.)
C&K has never taken us more than 1.5 hours. But we use the interbuild for 5+ players. We like the added tactics the game adds (like intentionally losing defense to screw other players) while still keeping the core of the catan gameplay.
For the player wanting more hex setups:
For 4 players:
-Mix/shuffle up your land and sea tiles(the ones from the basic game assuming you aren't running a "discovery" scenario via seafarers).
-deal out a row of 7 tiles vertically infront of you.
-next put 6 tiles to either side of this, then 5, then 4.
-turn the number chits face down and deal them out randomly, if any two of the same # touch move the chits around until they do not or make as few touches as possible. The same holds true for 6's & 8's. Resource inequality is okay as it spices up trading.
-If playing with later edition pieces, place ports as you see fit.
-play
-if playing without boats, recommend allowing players to build a bridge(a road) for either the boat cost or a road plus an ore, this will allow islands to be accessed or water to be crossed. This house rule has served us quite well over the years.
For more players: quite similiar, not sure on the tile distribution as I don't have any of the size expansions myself, although some friends do.
For the player wanting more hex setups:
For 4 players:
-Mix/shuffle up your land and sea tiles(the ones from the basic game assuming you aren't running a "discovery" scenario via seafarers).
-deal out a row of 7 tiles vertically infront of you.
-next put 6 tiles to either side of this, then 5, then 4.
-turn the number chits face down and deal them out randomly, if any two of the same # touch move the chits around until they do not or make as few touches as possible. The same holds true for 6's & 8's. Resource inequality is okay as it spices up trading.
-If playing with later edition pieces, place ports as you see fit.
-play
-if playing without boats, recommend allowing players to build a bridge(a road) for either the boat cost or a road plus an ore, this will allow islands to be accessed or water to be crossed. This house rule has served us quite well over the years.
For more players: quite similiar, not sure on the tile distribution as I don't have any of the size expansions myself, although some friends do.
RefinedBean
First Post
Only play the original Catan, all the new stuff gives it too much of an MMO feel. 
Serious points:
1. I introduced my (fairly old) parents to the game, and after making fun of the amount of rules it had, they really enjoyed it. So it's good for both older folks, as well as older children.
2. If you do buy the expansions, as someone mentioned, do your best to keep them apart from the original game. It can get unbelievably irritating to sort through everything before playing.
3. Don't be afraid to houserule!
Serious points:
1. I introduced my (fairly old) parents to the game, and after making fun of the amount of rules it had, they really enjoyed it. So it's good for both older folks, as well as older children.
2. If you do buy the expansions, as someone mentioned, do your best to keep them apart from the original game. It can get unbelievably irritating to sort through everything before playing.
3. Don't be afraid to houserule!
They're meant to be absolutely random. Shuffle the island hexes, and then deal them out one at a time: five in the centre, four on either side, and three on either side of that.
Cheers!
Melba Toast
First Post
I don't know where you live, and I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder-kin, but I feel the design of the European version of Catan is much more visually attractive than the horrendous looking North American versions.
If you are willing to splurge, the poly-resin collector's edition is absolutely beautiful, and includes the Cities & Knights expansion.
Similar Threads
