Board Game Arena

I’ve looked into a bit of Catan statistics and am surprised by how little the turn order affects standings. Regardless, I still have a personal preference for placement. I love going last. You get to plan out exactly where you want to be and get to chose which settlement is placed second (makes it much easier to start the game with wood and brick to build a road). Really the only down side is going last once the actual game starts. Any 7s could target you since you will likely have some of the strongest placements, and there’s a greater chance to lose cards to a 7 from a large hand size compared to going first or second. Most games though you end up with that early road which could be blocking off another player and seizing important board control.

zasfp wrote: ↑02 October 2025, 19:45 I’ve looked into a bit of Catan statistics and am surprised by how little the turn order affects standings.

Where did you collect these statistics?

Jontia wrote: ↑03 October 2025, 10:49

zasfp wrote: ↑02 October 2025, 19:45 I’ve looked into a bit of Catan statistics and am surprised by how little the turn order affects standings.

Where did you collect these statistics?

Got them from various in person tournaments.

zasfp wrote: ↑02 October 2025, 19:45I’ve looked into a bit of Catan statistics and am surprised by how little the turn order affects standings.

In 3p Catan (e.g. BGA Arena), I would expect first player to act has the advantage. Because by the time they place their second settlement, with only five spots taken, there is usually a decent spot remaining; thus the player has the best spot and one other spot that's decent. Whereas in 4p Catan, the player going first typically gets the best spot and another spot that's no good at all.

Of course it depends on the placement of the hexes. Sometimes there is no single "best" spot but two that are roughly equally good (and superior to any other). In that case, the second-to-act has the advantage.