The official website for The Settlers of Catan

General Questions

• Playing Cards - Can I play Action Cards that do not have any effect?

  No. If you know that an Action Card can’t have any effect, then you are not allowed to play it.

• Region Improvement - Can I build Region Improvements adjacent to a settlement or Citadel?

  Yes.

  Note: Region Improvements and Citadels are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Region Improvements - Can I attack Region Improvements with an Arsonist?

  Yes.

  Note: Region Improvements are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Region Improvements - How much does it cost to build Region Improvements?

  Region Improvements are free of charge, but there are conditions attached. You may place them as soon as you meet those conditions.

  Note: Region Improvements are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Region Improvements - What is a Region Improvement?

  They are cards that are placed adjacent to regions; they feature (since 2006) a brown text box.

• Road Improvements - Can I play an Arsonist to burn down Road Improvements?

  Yes, provided that they are Buildings.

  Note: Road Improvements are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Road Improvements - Can I protect Road Improvements with the help of a Fire Brigade?

  No.

  Note: Road Improvements and Fire Brigade are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Trade with the Bank - What is a trade with the bank?

  A trade with the bank is defined as any trade of resources that doesn’t involve the game partner, where the following may be used: Trade Fleets, Christopher the Great Explorer, the Mint, and the “normal” 3:1 exchange rate.

  Note: Christopher the Great Explorer belongs to the theme sets "Barbarian & Traders", which is part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Windmill Token - Do I get the resource for the Trade Advantage card only if the Windmill Token is physically sitting on one of my settlements?

  You are entitled to receive the resource if you meet the requirements for the “Trade Advantage.” The Windmill Token serves as a reminder of this. The same applies to the Knight Token.

The Cards

• Alchemist - Can I combine the Alchemist with the Wheel of Time?

  Yes. In this case, you determine both dice roll results.

• Alchemist - Can I wait for the Event Die roll result before deciding to play the Alchemist?

  No. First you use the Alchemist, and then you roll the Event Die.

• Aqueduct - How many regions does my Aqueduct protect from the Plague?

  All regions in your principality.

• Arsonist - Burned-down Buildings whose effect I can make use of only once per turn and which I have already used before they were burned down – can I use them once more during the same turn after having rebuilt them?

  Yes.

• Arsonist - Can I attack Region Improvements with an Arsonist?

  Yes.

  Note: Region Improvements are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.

• Arsonist - Can I play the Arsonist against Foreign Cards in my principality?

  Yes.

  Note: Foreign Cards are part of the Catan Card Game – Expansion Set.