Many players mistakenly believe the robber must always be placed on a resource-producing terrain hex, but the rules allow for a different placement.
Yes, according to the Catan Official Rulebook, you may move the robber to the desert hex.
Catan Official Rules 2020, [page not specified]
These rules correspond to the US edition of Catan.
Official Rule Breakdown
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.