Board Game Arena

The truth is that four players on the tiny map is a terrible game. Usually two players are instantly screwed as soon as all the settlements are placed. Most of the time a third player can make a pretense of being competitive, but actually they are foredoomed as well. The result is for 2 players the game quickly becomes pointless, one reason there are so many complaints about people leaving games hanging and other negative behaviors.

When we play in person, we always play on the 5-6 player map. That produces a game in which at least three and sometimes all four players are competitive.

Can we get that option? It's long past time.

The fight over the best spaces is why I like 4 player the best.

I don’t know that they’d ever allow it here but my friend group does the same.

I refuse to play 4 player here because it’s so cramped. I’m glad Arena has stayed 3 players as it’s the only way I’ll play here.

fiscused wrote: ↑05 November 2025, 14:59 The fight over the best spaces is why I like 4 player the best.

Spot on. The limited space is what makes Catan shine. It makes it necessary to trade and co-operate and it's what makes it possible to threaten and block. Playing 3 players on the standard board is basically just pick the best numbers for all 5 resources and see who's stuff comes in first. 4 players on the 5-6 map is the same thing. It's the restrictions, having to pick sub-optimal placements and work with the other players until the moment that you can work against them that makes the game great.

Jontia wrote: ↑05 November 2025, 23:29

fiscused wrote: ↑05 November 2025, 14:59 The fight over the best spaces is why I like 4 player the best.

Spot on. The limited space is what makes Catan shine. It makes it necessary to trade and co-operate and it's what makes it possible to threaten and block. Playing 3 players on the standard board is basically just pick the best numbers for all 5 resources and see who's stuff comes in first. 4 players on the 5-6 map is the same thing. It's the restrictions, having to pick sub-optimal placements and work with the other players until the moment that you can work against them that makes the game great.

Does it make Catan shine? For you, yes. For others, sure. but not for everyone.

Having different options to appeal to the different ways people like to play is ideal. I personally like a faster easier game. I just find that more enjoyable. It is also why I don't play 4 player. But I am not everyone. Lots play like me. Lots are cut-throat which I hate. To each their own.

BusterVA wrote: ↑06 November 2025, 01:13 Does it make Catan shine? For you, yes. For others, sure. but not for everyone.

Having different options to appeal to the different ways people like to play is ideal. I personally like a faster easier game. I just find that more enjoyable. It is also why I don't play 4 player. But I am not everyone. Lots play like me. Lots are cut-throat which I hate. To each their own.

A legitimate and reasonably presented point. But given the opening post starts with

The truth is that four players on the tiny map is a terrible game

I think some strong hyperbole in the rebuttal seems called for.

I agree with Jontia on this, on all accounts presented in the two posts made by that user.

Boardgamegeek has currently 702 votes that basic Catan is best for 3 players and 1503 votes that it's best for 4 players.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/catan

Jontia wrote: ↑05 November 2025, 23:29

fiscused wrote: ↑05 November 2025, 14:59 The fight over the best spaces is why I like 4 player the best.

Spot on. The limited space is what makes Catan shine. It makes it necessary to trade and co-operate and it's what makes it possible to threaten and block. Playing 3 players on the standard board is basically just pick the best numbers for all 5 resources and see who's stuff comes in first. 4 players on the 5-6 map is the same thing. It's the restrictions, having to pick sub-optimal placements and work with the other players until the moment that you can work against them that makes the game great.

No, the limiting space is horrible game design that immediately ends the game for at least two players for sure, and most of the time, three players. With the bigger map games are MUCH tighter and more hard fought. Way more fun.

mturton wrote: ↑12 November 2025, 15:06
No, the limiting space is horrible game design that immediately ends the game for at least two players for sure, and most of the time, three players. With the bigger map games are MUCH tighter and more hard fought. Way more fun.

Just nonsense. I've played hundreds of Catan games on here, other apps and in real life and I've had many games at four player that have literally come down to pulling a VP card for any one of three players.

There is no fighting on bigger maps, because there is literally nothing to fight for. You're not even close enough to me to be a consideration until I'm looking to put down my fifth settlement. Even 3 player on the standard board has so much room that it rarely involves blocking, or having to consider putting a starting building on anything that isn't 5-9.

The blocking and sub-optimal choices is the actual point. Otherwise you might as well play Space Base.