🌾 Catan: 2-Player Variant

This version keeps the classic Catan flow but balances it for two explorers. All components remain standard.

🎲 Setup

• Use the standard board layout with normal terrain, numbers, and ports.
• Each player begins with 2 settlements and 2 roads.
• Optionally: each player may place 1 extra road after setup to ease expansion.

🎒 Starting Resources

• After both players have placed their second settlement, each player collects 1 resource card for each terrain hex touching that settlement.
• Example: if your second settlement borders a forest, a pasture, and a field, you start with 1 Lumber, 1 Wool, and 1 Grain.
• The first settlement you placed does not produce starting resources.
• This gives both players a small initial hand to build or trade from on their first turn.

⚙️ Core Gameplay

• On your turn, roll dice and collect resources from adjacent hexes.
• Build roads, settlements, and cities as usual using resources.
• Play development cards normally — they function as in the base game.
• The game ends when a player reaches 10 Victory Points.

👥 Two-Player Adjustments

1. Trading

• No direct trades between players.
• You may trade only with the bank at 4 : 1, or use ports (3 : 1 or 2 : 1) if available.

2. Neutral Settlements (Optional)

• After setup, each player places one neutral settlement and two neutral roads.
• Neutral pieces block space but do not collect resources or score points.

3. The Robber

• When moving the robber, you must steal from your opponent if possible.
• If your opponent has no resource cards, skip stealing.

4. Development Cards

• Use the full deck as normal.
• Victory Point cards remain secret until they cause a win.

🏁 Winning

• First to 10 Victory Points wins.
• Points are awarded as usual:
  • Settlement = 1 point
  • City = 2 points
  • Longest Road = 2 points
  • Largest Army = 2 points
  • Victory Point card = 1 point each