{"title":"Chris","description":"\u003ch1\u003ehere is where I talk about why I love this game.  Mostly that Catan ruins families and friendships\u003c\/h1\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"catan-6th-edition-2025","title":"Catan 6th Edition (2025)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis new edition keeps the same core mechanics and features updated and upgraded components designed to offer greater ease of play. The rulebook has been revamped with additional images and examples of play to streamline the learning process for new players, and the artwork has been redone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCATAN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(formerly\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Settlers of Catan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e), players try to be the dominant force on the island of Catan by building settlements, cities, and roads. On each turn dice are rolled to determine what resources the island produces. Players build by spending resources (sheep, wheat, wood, brick and ore) that are depicted by these resource cards; each land type, with the exception of the unproductive desert, produces a specific resource: hills produce brick, forests produce wood, mountains produce ore, fields produce wheat, and pastures produce sheep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSetup includes randomly placing large hexagonal tiles (each showing a resource or the desert) in a honeycomb shape and surrounding them with water tiles, some of which contain ports of exchange. Number disks, which will correspond to die rolls (two 6-sided dice are used), are placed on each resource tile. Each player is given two settlements (think: houses) and roads (sticks) which are, in turn, placed on intersections and borders of the resource tiles. Players collect a hand of resource cards based on which hex tiles their last-placed house is adjacent to. A robber pawn is placed on the desert tile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA turn consists of possibly playing a development card, rolling the dice, everyone (perhaps) collecting resource cards based on the roll and position of houses (or upgraded cities—think: hotels) unless a 7 is rolled, turning in resource cards (if possible and desired) for improvements, trading cards at a port, and trading resource cards with other players. If a 7 is rolled, the active player moves the robber to a new hex tile and steals resource cards from other players who have built structures adjacent to that tile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoints are accumulated by building settlements and cities, having the longest road and the largest army (from some of the development cards), and gathering certain development cards that simply award victory points. When a player has gathered 10 points (some of which may be held in secret), he announces his total and claims the win.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCATAN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehas won multiple awards and is one of the most popular games in recent history due to its amazing ability to appeal to experienced gamers as well as those new to the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDie Siedler von Catan\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas originally published by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgamepublisher\/37\/kosmos\"\u003eKOSMOS\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand has gone through multiple editions. It was licensed by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgamepublisher\/10\/mayfair-games\"\u003eMayfair\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand has undergone four editions as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Settlers of Catan\u003c\/em\u003e. In 2015, it was formally renamed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCATAN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto better represent itself as the core and base game of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/wiki\/page\/CATAN_series#\"\u003eCATAN series\u003c\/a\u003e. It has been re-published in two travel editions,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/3972\/catan-portable-edition\"\u003eportable edition\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/172994\/catan-traveler-compact-edition\"\u003ecompact edition\u003c\/a\u003e, as a special\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/38821\/settlers-catan-gallery-edition\"\u003egallery edition\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(replaced in 2009 with a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/147240\/catan-family-edition\"\u003efamily edition\u003c\/a\u003e), as an anniversary\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/152959\/settlers-catan-containing-56-player-expansion\"\u003ewooden edition\u003c\/a\u003e, as a deluxe 3D\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/17419\/catan-3d-collectors-edition\"\u003ecollector's edition\u003c\/a\u003e, in the basic\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/24511\/simply-catan\"\u003eSimply Catan\u003c\/a\u003e, as a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/64159\/die-siedler-von-catan-einsteiger-variante\"\u003ebeginner version\u003c\/a\u003e, and with an entirely new theme in Japan and Asia as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/20899\/settlers-catan-rockman-edition\"\u003eSettlers of Catan: Rockman Edition\u003c\/a\u003e. Numerous spin-offs and expansions have also been made for the game.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catan Studios","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44488477606085,"sku":"CN3081","price":64.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/6962\/0933\/files\/images_36.jpg?v=1755732687"},{"product_id":"catan-5th-edition","title":"Catan 5th Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to CATAN! Since 1995, CATAN (formerly The Settlers of Catan) has been captivating players the world over. From board game newcomers to the most seasoned players, CATAN offers something for everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinutes to Learn, a Lifetime to Explore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe basics of CATAN can be learned in just minutes, but it offers enough depth to remain compelling as you explore strategies and tactics for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTremendous Replay Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe completely variable board provides great value through nearly limitless replayability. You’ll never have to play the same game twice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild a Community\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether you play as a family, a board game group, or via video conference as you stay at home, Catan is a social game that provides plenty of opportunities for player interaction. You may even find yourself exploring the exciting world of Catan tournaments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCATAN®  the original strategy board game. Embark on a quest to settle the island of Catan! Start by revealing Catan's many harbors and regions: pastures, fields, mountains, hills, forests, and desert. Guide your settlers to victory by clever trading and smart development. Gather resources (grain, wool, ore, brick, and lumber) to build roads, settlements and cities, and to buy development cards that will help you on your quest. Acquire your resources by rolling the dice and trading with others. But beware –  you never know when the wily robber might steal some of your precious gains!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 3-4 players\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAges 10+\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCATAN contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e19 unique hexagonal terrain tiles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e6 coastal frame pieces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e9 extra harbor pieces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e20 wooden settlements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e16 wooden cities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e60 wooden roads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e95 resource cards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e25 development cards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e4 building costs cards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e2 special bonus cards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e18 number tokens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e2 six-sided dice\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e1 wooden robber pawn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSimple rules \u0026amp; almanac\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Catan Studios","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45718941139141,"sku":"CN3071","price":39.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/6962\/0933\/files\/0001795_catan-board-game-base-game-5th-edition_600.jpg?v=1769552426"},{"product_id":"catan-zip-edition","title":"Catan ZIP! Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this portable edition, the island of Catan is created on the pad in the center of the table. Different island layouts ensure that every game is new and full of possibilities. Players draw their roads, settlements and cities directly on the map as the island develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrade remains the key to success. Instead of cards, you use resource tokens to trade with other players. Some resources you will have in abundance, while others are scarce. Exchange wisely to complete your building plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis compact portable edition includes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 punchboard tile sheets (with resources and development tokens)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 punchboard tile holders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 paper CATAN map pad (with 50 unique maps!)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 CATAN themed pens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 storage boxes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 reuseable travel bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 dice shaker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 rulebook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Catan Studios","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46256787652805,"sku":"CN3105","price":27.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/6962\/0933\/files\/CN3105_1-Z.jpg?v=1779372835"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0556\/6962\/0933\/collections\/images_cdd50d08-25a1-4bbd-9ed7-a401e5801b34.jpg?v=1765564955","url":"https:\/\/tapsgames.com\/collections\/chris-picks.oembed","provider":"Taps Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}