1v1 Rules
Rules for playing with just two players. This page covers what's different from the 3-4 player rules.
1v1 uses our own rules, adapted from the two-player rules by Catan’s designer and other variants. Anything not covered here works the same as a regular individual game.
We plan to keep adjusting the 1v1 rules based on player feedback and match results.
1.Overview
- •Two players. The board and cards are the same as in the 3-4 player game
- •Target score: 15 points (choose 7-18 in Practice and rooms)
- •Piece limits: 20 roads, 7 settlements and 5 cities (more than in the 3-4 player game, since two players share the whole board)
- •The main differences from the 3-4 player rules are the starting setup, the robber on a 7, and coins
2.Starting Setup
- •Each player places 4 settlements and 4 roads. The order is first → second → second → first, repeated 2 times
- •Your starting resources come only from the tiles around the last settlement you place
3.Sevens and the Robber
- •When a 7 is rolled, anyone with 8 or more cards discards half (as usual)
- •Moving the robber on a 7 doesn't steal anything; it only stops the tile's production. A knight card still steals one card as usual
- •Friendly Robber (the robber can't go on tiles of a player with 4 or fewer public points) and Robber Protection can be turned on in Practice and rooms (both are off by default)
4.Coins
Count and stock
- •There are 20 coins in the game. Each player starts with 3, and the rest go into a shared stock
- •Spent coins return to the stock. You draw new coins from the stock, and if it's empty you get none
- •In Practice and rooms you can also play without coins
What coins do
- •Coins can be used once either player has 5 public points (not while both players still have only their starting settlements)
- •Once per turn, after rolling, you can use coins for one of the following
- •Forced trade: draw 2 random resource cards from your opponent, then give back 2 of your choice (you may give back the cards you drew). If your opponent has fewer than 2 cards, you draw what they have and still give back 2
- •Move the robber to the desert (no steal)
- •Exchange: turn 2 cards of the same resource into 1 resource of your choice
- •Cost: 1 coin(s) if your score is tied with or behind your opponent's, 2 if you're ahead. This compares public points only (victory point cards don't count)
Gaining coins
- •When your opponent's 7 or knight puts the robber on a tile with your settlement or city: 1 coin (once each time the robber moves; you get nothing for rolls while it stays)
- •Once per turn, discard 1 played knight for 2 coins (before or after rolling)
- •If the player holding Largest Army discards a knight and drops below 3 knights, or ties or falls behind their opponent, Largest Army has no holder. It's reclaimed by whoever later plays a knight and has 3 or more, ahead of their opponent
5.Other Rules
- •Longest Road starts at 7 roads (5 in the 3-4 player game). Largest Army starts at 3 knights, as usual
- •Trading between players works as usual (bank and port trades too). If you don't want to trade, use Auto Reject Trades in settings to decline
- •You roll once per turn, as usual. Practice and rooms let you choose the dice method (random or deck-based). Free Match uses the deck-based method
6.FAQ
What happens when the robber is placed on my tile?
You get 1 coin. If your score is tied with or behind your opponent's, you can use it on your next turn (after rolling) to send the robber back to the desert. You can also keep it for a forced trade or an exchange.
Can I give back the cards I drew in a forced trade?
Yes. You can give back any resources from your hand, including the ones you drew.
Can I make a forced trade when my opponent has no cards?
No. There's nothing to draw, so you can't use a forced trade.
How many times can I use coins per turn?
Once per turn, for one of: forced trade, robber to the desert, or exchange. Discarding a knight to gain coins is separate and can also be done once per turn.
Can I use the AI coach?
Yes. In Practice, the AI coach also suggests where to put the robber, when to use coins and which resources to give in a forced trade.