Many players mistakenly believe they can only move the robber to a hex adjacent to their current position, but the official rules allow for more flexibility.
According to the Catan GmbH Official Rulebook, you may move the robber to any numbered hex when chasing it away or using specific progress cards.
In Catan: Cities & Knights, there are two primary ways to move the robber. First, when using an active knight to 'chase away' the robber, the knight must be adjacent to one of the three hexes the robber occupies. Upon displacing the robber, you move it to any numbered hex and steal one resource from any player who has a settlement or city adjacent to that new hex (Catan Cities & Knights Official Rulebook, 'Chasing Away the Robber'). Second, certain Progress Cards, such as the Bishop card, allow you to move the robber following normal rules, which involves moving it to a new hex and potentially drawing cards from players adjacent to the new location (Catan Cities & Knights Official Rulebook, 'City Development').
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Ensure your active knight is adjacent to one of the three hexes the robber currently occupies.
Step 2: Choose a new numbered hex anywhere on the board to place the robber.
Step 3: Identify players with a settlement or city adjacent to the new hex.
Step 4: Steal one resource from one of those adjacent players.
Step 5: Turn your knight token to its inactive side.
Example Play Situation
Alice has an active knight adjacent to the robber's current hex. She uses her knight to chase the robber away, moving it to a distant mountain hex. Bob, who has a settlement next to that mountain, must then give Alice one random resource.
Common Misconceptions
The robber can only be moved to an adjacent hex.
Knights can only chase the robber if they are the strongest knight.
You can move the robber to a desert hex.
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Move the robber to any numbered hex when chasing it away
Do not move the robber to a desert hex
Steal one resource from an adjacent player after moving the robber
Do not attempt to chase the robber if your knight is not adjacent to the robber's hex
Turn your knight to the inactive side after chasing the robber
Do not forget to deactivate your knight after the action
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for moving the robber in Catan Cities & Knights?
Move the robber to any numbered hex and steal one resource from an adjacent player.
Can I move the robber to a desert hex when using a knight?
No, the rules specify moving the robber to a numbered hex.
Is it allowed to steal from a player if they have two settlements next to the robber?
Yes, but you can only steal one card from that player regardless of their settlement count.
What happens if I use a knight to chase the robber?
The robber moves to a numbered hex, you steal a resource, and your knight becomes inactive.
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.
