JohnWrot!

We’ve invented a Volcano Hex for open source use. Rules are attached in the comments on the image. Enjoy!

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/2588831/keeperofthegate

Ports are awesome, but starting on a coastline is a deathknell!

…unless it’s the golden 6 – 9 – x2 port set up, where it’s a no-brainer; but honestly… when does that happen?

That’s true, so don’t go for sheep! Double up on as much grain and ore as possible at the start, with 1 access to wood. When you’re the grain and ore baron, people bow to you. When you’re the brick baron, people laugh at you. ; ) Sheepies in Catan are only a means to an end. (The surely the cutest and most cuddly resource!)

I have Settlers, Seafarers, and C&K as many do, but I don’t have shelf space for all 3. Removing the stock insert they put in each I can store all 3 in my favorite single box (seafarers of course).

The more new gamers I play with the more fascinating strategies I learn from them. “Beginners luck” isn’t only luck; it’s ingenuity!

Yeah, that sounds stupid? Well, once in a conversation with a 58 year old woman, a great family friend, a definitive non-gamer who was talking of playing with her son while visiting his home, she said “I won my first game”. I asked how, as strategy can get pretty intense. She said “Well, I don’t know, I never play games, he just said I needed to buy gold to win. So I bought gold!.” Surely that turned into Estates. : P

So: BUY GOLD!

There’s nothing more satisfying than cycling through your entire deck 2 or 3 times on a single turn because you only bought villages and markets. The smithy doesn’t hurt either if you want to spread the love a touch. My absolute favorite strategy in the core game.