Table of Contents Introduction Why a Strategy Guide for a Game Based on the Luck of the Dice? 1 I. The Rules Resource Cards 3 delete* deleteBoard Setup: Hexes, Number Tiles, and Dots 4 delete* delete Game Pieces: Roads, Settlements, and Cities 6 delete* deleteResource Generation 7 delete* deleteThe Robber 8 delete* deleteThe Limit 9 delete* deleteThe Distance Rule 9 delete* deleteDevelopment Cards 10 delete* deleteLongest Road and Largest Army 10 delete* deleteSetup Phase 12 delete* deleteTurn Sequence 13 delete* deleteWinning the Game 16 delete* deleteCommonly Disputed Rules 17 II. The Mechanics of the Game The Gaussian Curve 19 delete* deleteProduction 20 delete* deleteNumber Spectra 22 delete* deletePower Hexes and Power Intersections 22 delete* deleteInherent Value vs. Trade Value 23 delete* deleteActual Cost vs. Opportunity Cost 23 delete* deleteTotal Production Value (TPV) 24 delete* deleteThe TPV Formula 24 delete* deleteHarbor Formulas 26 III. Advanced Considerations Strategy vs. Tactics 27 delete* deleteThe Three Pillars of Catan 29 delete* deleteWho's Ahead? 30 delete* deleteThe Design of Catan 31 delete* deleteHoarding 32 delete* deleteBurst-Building 33 delete* deleteRoads 36 delete* deleteSettlements 51 delete* deleteCities 55 delete* deleteHarbors and Trading 59 delete* deleteDevelopment Cards 72 delete* deleteGame Phases 95 delete* deleteOpening Theory 95 delete* deleteMiddlegame Theory 118 delete* deleteEndgame Theory 124 IV. Common-Sense Catan Burn This Book 126 delete* deleteBe in the Game! 126 delete* deleteThe Power of Calm 127 delete* deleteTable Talk 127 delete* deleteHardcore Catan 128 V.

 Wrapup Last Words 129 delete* deleteExpansions, Scenarios, and Alternate Rules 129 delete* deleteSupercards 130 delete* deleteThe Fatal Flaw of ­Two-Player Catan 132 delete* deleteTell Me I'm Wrong! 132 Glossary: The Language of Catan Chapter Notes.