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Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 10 August 2025, 23:27
by Trailblazer23
I just got bamboozled by a player that asked to play friendly robber in Catan arena. We went several rounds; I rolled a 7 and placed the robber on an empty hex and I never play a knight. Then, the requesting player robbed me when I had only 2 points. So, yeah. Last time I do that.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 11 August 2025, 13:36
by Uowca1
That's the game. In my eyes he did nothing wrong.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 12 August 2025, 21:21
by Kaladry
just don't play friendly robber in arena. it wasn't voted on to be included so you don't have to agree to it.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 15 August 2025, 18:20
by Vixen
I think this "friendly" idea is exploited and used as a tactic or a way to gain unfair advantage by some players.
Recently, I played a game, in which a player bought 4 development cards (instead of building a city) while having 2 open points and claimed we can rob from him or even put a robber on a field he shares with other player as he has "only" 2 points and we agreed for a friendly.
For me, it was the last time I agreed to that as I don't like being bamboozled by people.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 27 August 2025, 04:15
by desertman
In my opinion, the Friendly Robber variant contradicts the spirit of Catan, which explicitly includes robberies. Robbers are simply not friendly. I also find it ridiculous (and not friendly at all) that a player can rob me when I have three points, yet I can't rob them back when they only have two.
To make the beginning of the game easier, I always enable the Easy Start variant at my tables. Everyone benefits equally from that, which I think is good enough.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 29 August 2025, 22:53
by jana6
The fact is that most players in Arena play the friendly robber rule. Whether or not they agree to it at the beginning most players don't put the robber on a 2 pointer. In my last game I got the first 7 and put the robber on a neutral square. Next go a guy put it on my best resource even though I only had 2 points and no development cards. With no 7 rolled for quite a while it meant I lost quite easily.
That has to be a pretty mean way of playing and it doesn't make playing fun.
PLEASE REINSTITUTE THE FRIENDLY ROBBER RULE FOR THE NEXT ARENA!
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 30 August 2025, 07:58
by Jellby
Putting the robber on a neutral hex looks like a pretty "not fun" move
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 31 August 2025, 20:49
by Theana
jana6 wrote: ↑29 August 2025, 22:53
The fact is that most players in Arena play the friendly robber rule. Whether or not they agree to it at the beginning most players don't put the robber on a 2 pointer. In my last game I got the first 7 and put the robber on a neutral square. Next go a guy put it on my best resource even though I only had 2 points and no development cards. With no 7 rolled for quite a while it meant I lost quite easily.
That has to be a pretty mean way of playing and it doesn't make playing fun.
PLEASE REINSTITUTE THE FRIENDLY ROBBER RULE FOR THE NEXT ARENA!
Why mean? why do you expect people to play according your rule?
You don't like Arena's settings? Do not play. You made a bad decision at the beginning, just accept it
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 02 September 2025, 19:36
by lazialos
Theana wrote: ↑31 August 2025, 20:49
jana6 wrote: ↑29 August 2025, 22:53
The fact is that most players in Arena play the friendly robber rule. Whether or not they agree to it at the beginning most players don't put the robber on a 2 pointer. In my last game I got the first 7 and put the robber on a neutral square. Next go a guy put it on my best resource even though I only had 2 points and no development cards. With no 7 rolled for quite a while it meant I lost quite easily.
That has to be a pretty mean way of playing and it doesn't make playing fun.
PLEASE REINSTITUTE THE FRIENDLY ROBBER RULE FOR THE NEXT ARENA!
Why mean? why do you expect people to play according your rule?
You don't like Arena's settings? Do not play. You made a bad decision at the beginning, just accept it
Still whining about friendly robber?
u really don't get Catan.
Re: Catan: Friendly Robber Backstabbing
Posted: 03 September 2025, 08:45
by Theana
lazialos wrote: ↑02 September 2025, 19:36
Theana wrote: ↑31 August 2025, 20:49
jana6 wrote: ↑29 August 2025, 22:53
The fact is that most players in Arena play the friendly robber rule. Whether or not they agree to it at the beginning most players don't put the robber on a 2 pointer. In my last game I got the first 7 and put the robber on a neutral square. Next go a guy put it on my best resource even though I only had 2 points and no development cards. With no 7 rolled for quite a while it meant I lost quite easily.
That has to be a pretty mean way of playing and it doesn't make playing fun.
PLEASE REINSTITUTE THE FRIENDLY ROBBER RULE FOR THE NEXT ARENA!
Why mean? why do you expect people to play according your rule?
You don't like Arena's settings? Do not play. You made a bad decision at the beginning, just accept it
Still whining about friendly robber?
u really don't get Catan.
So I guess you are one of those that joins no FR tables and gets upset if one doesn't play your way. Good to call yourself out.
