When a player rolls a '7', the robber must be moved. According to the official rules, the player who rolled the 7 must move the robber immediately to the number token of any other terrain hex or to the desert hex. This action blocks the resource production of the chosen hex until the robber is moved again. If the robber is placed on the desert, it does not block any specific resource production because the desert hex does not have a number token.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Roll the dice and determine if a 7 was rolled.
Step 2: All players with more than 7 resource cards must discard half (rounded down).
Step 3: Select a new location for the robber: either a number token on a terrain hex or the desert hex.
Step 4: Move the robber piece to the chosen location.
Step 5: Steal one random resource card from an opponent adjacent to the new hex (unless the desert was chosen).
Example Play Situation
Alice rolls a 7. She first makes Bob discard his excess cards. Alice then decides to move the robber from the Forest hex to the Desert hex to avoid stealing from any players.
Common Misconceptions
The robber must always be on a number token
Moving the robber to the desert allows you to steal a card
The desert hex produces resources when the robber is there
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
You can move the robber to the desert hex
You cannot leave the robber on the same hex
You can move the robber to any other number token
You cannot steal a card if you move the robber to the desert
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for moving the robber in Catan?
Move it to any other number token or the desert hex.
Can I move the robber to the desert if I want to steal a card?
No, if you move it to the desert, you do not steal a card.
Is it allowed to keep the robber on the same hex after rolling a 7?
No, the robber must be moved to a different hex or the desert.
What happens if I place the robber on the desert?
The robber is placed there, but no resource production is blocked.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
