How to play Speed Catan

Speed Catan is a variation of the popular board game Catan that is designed to be played in a shorter amount of time than a standard game. The rules for Speed Catan may vary depending on the group playing, but here are some general guidelines:

• Setup: Set up the game board and all pieces as you would for a standard game of Catan. You can read about how you set up the game board for a standard game of Catan here.
• Turn Timer: Use a timer to keep track of turns. Each player gets a set amount of time (such as 30 seconds) to take their turn. If a player takes longer than the allotted time, their turn ends and the next player goes.
• Starting Resources: To speed up the game, each player starts with one fewer resource card than they would in a standard game.
• Building: To speed up the building phase, players may only build one item per turn.
• Trading: Trading is allowed, but it must be done quickly. To speed up the trading phase, players may only make one trade per turn, and the trade must be completed within the time limit.
• Victory Points: The number of victory points needed to win can be reduced to speed up the game. For example, players may need only 7 victory points to win instead of the usual 10.

By implementing these rules, a game of Speed Catan can typically be completed in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of players and how strictly the time limits are enforced.

There are a few variations to speed up the game of Catan beyond the standard rules:

1. Rapid Catan: This variation involves setting a strict time limit for the entire game, such as 45 minutes or an hour. Players must then rush to collect resources and build settlements and cities as quickly as possible to reach the winning number of victory points within the time limit. This variation can be especially fun for experienced players looking for a fast-paced challenge.
2. Blitz Catan: This variation involves starting with a partially completed board, with some roads and settlements already in place. This saves time on setup and allows players to jump right into the game. Additionally, each player starts with more resources and victory points than they would in a standard game, making it easier to reach the winning number of points.
3. Express Catan: This variation involves simplifying the game rules to speed up play. For example, players may not be allowed to trade resources with each other, or development cards may be removed from the game entirely. This variation is best for players who are new to the game or who want a quick, easy version of Catan.
4. Lightning Catan: In this variation, players take turns simultaneously, rather than one at a time. Each player has a designated area of the board that only they can build in, and all players roll dice and collect resources at the same time.
5. Dual Catan: In this variation, two games of Catan are played simultaneously on a single board. Each player has two settlements and two roads on opposite corners of the board, and must try to gain the most victory points in a limited amount of time. This variation requires strategic planning and quick decision-making.
6. Extreme Catan: This variation involves using a larger game board and more resources to create a more complex game. Players must navigate a more complex trading system and make decisions quickly in order to succeed.