Tag: cities-and-knights

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Board Games Strategy Games

Catan: Cities & Knights Knight Pre-Roll Official Rules

Catan rules featured scene

Many players wonder if they can use a knight to manipulate the robber before the dice are cast, assuming standard Catan rules apply.

Yes, according to the Catan: Cities & Knights Official Rulebook, you can use a knight to chase away the robber before rolling the dice if you use the Knight-Errant Variant.

Read moreSkip-Bo Official Rules: Playing Multiple Cards on Build Piles

Catan Cities & Knights Official Rules, [edition not specified]

Expertise: Board game rules expert. | Verification: Cross-referenced official Catan: Cities & Knights rulebook text. | Purpose: Resolve the #1 confusion regarding pre-roll knight usage in the Cities & Knights expansion.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, ensure all players agree to use the Knight-Errant Variant before the first turn begins.

These rules correspond to the US edition of Catan: Cities & Knights.

Official Rule Breakdown

Read moreCluedo Official Rules: Wrong Accusation & Elimination

Regarding the ability to play a knight before rolling, the official rules include a specific 'Knight-Errant Variant.' This variant allows a player to use one of their active knights to chase away the robber before rolling the dice on their turn. Once this action is taken, the knight becomes deactivated. This mechanism functions similarly to playing a knight card before rolling in the base Catan game.

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1: Declare the intention to use the Knight-Errant Variant.
  2. Step 2: Select one of your active knights to chase away the robber.
  3. Step 3: Deactivate the chosen knight.
  4. Step 4: Proceed to roll the dice for your turn.

Example Play Situation

Alice has an active knight on the board. Before she rolls the dice, she uses the Knight-Errant Variant to chase the robber away with her knight. The knight is then deactivated, and Alice proceeds to roll her dice.

Catan rules rule situation

Common Misconceptions

  • Thinking the knight can be used to chase the robber during a standard game without the variant enabled
  • Assuming the knight remains active after being used to chase the robber
  • Confusing the Knight-Errant Variant with the standard turn sequence

Quick Reference

You CanYou Cannot
Use an active knight to chase the robber before rollingUse a knight to chase the robber if you are not using the Knight-Errant Variant
Deactivate the knight after using it in the Knight-Errant VariantKeep the knight active after using it for this specific variant action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official rule for playing a knight before rolling in Catan: Cities & Knights?
Under the Knight-Errant Variant, you can use an active knight to chase the robber before rolling.
Can I use a knight to move the robber before I roll the dice?
Yes, provided you are playing with the Knight-Errant Variant rule enabled.
What happens to my knight if I use it to chase the robber before rolling?
The knight becomes deactivated immediately after the action.
Is it allowed to use a knight to chase the robber during a normal turn without the variant?
No, this specific pre-roll action is part of the Knight-Errant Variant rule.
Categories
Board Games Strategy Games

Catan Cities & Knights Robber Rules: Official Rules Guide

Catan rules featured scene

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.

Read moreSkip-Bo Official Rules: Playing Multiple Cards on Build Piles

Catan Cities & Knights Official Rulebook, [edition not specified]

Expertise: Board game rules expert and technical writer. | Verification: Cross-referenced official Catan Cities & Knights rulebook pages regarding knight actions and robber displacement. | Purpose: Resolve the #1 dispute regarding robber placement limits in the Cities & Knights expansion.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, ensure all players agree that the robber must land on a numbered hex before the move is completed.

These rules correspond to the US edition of Catan.

Official Rule Breakdown

Read moreCluedo Official Rules: Wrong Accusation & Elimination

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

  1. Step 1: Ensure your active knight is adjacent to one of the three hexes the robber currently occupies.
  2. Step 2: Choose a new numbered hex anywhere on the board to place the robber.
  3. Step 3: Identify players with a settlement or city adjacent to the new hex.
  4. Step 4: Steal one resource from one of those adjacent players.
  5. 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.

Catan rules rule situation

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 CanYou Cannot
Move the robber to any numbered hex when chasing it awayDo not move the robber to a desert hex
Steal one resource from an adjacent player after moving the robberDo 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 robberDo 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.