Tyveil (#19190),

There are two variants on the Mayfair web site concerning this. The one you mentionned and another one with a reduced island. Here's the URL : http://www.mayfairgames.com/extras/variants/0483-vfor02.htm

I tried it once, long ago. It was OK... as I recall.

Grab a copy of the open source GnoCatan program. It comes with several 2 player variants for base Settlers of Catan, Seafarers etc. It should be easy enough to copy them into a real board game setup.

Tyveil (#19190),

Technically you can do that, but the point about playing SoC is trade. With to players there is no possible trade, so there is no point. Try and play SoC-Card Game. It's also very fun and it's designed for two players.

fortinm (#19216), I created another 2 player variant. Each
player runs one colour as per usual. A dummy colour, say
white, is added. The dummy player is controlled by both
players and collects resources as per usual. The dummy
player starts with 2 settlements(towns) and 2 roads.
The dummy player can only build roads and nothing more.
The dummy player(using a special trading chart) can trade
with the other 2 players. Since the dummy player can only
build roads and cannot control any ports all bank trades
are done at a 4:1 ratio. For example, the dummy player
does not need 4 sheep so it trades them in for 1 brick/
lumber immediately upon acquiring the fourth sheep. The
dummy player can hold the longest road card however.
Basically the dummy player does the following: acts as a
trading partner and blocks other players expansion by
building roads. This is a quick overview of this 2 player
variant. Played this variant a dozen or so times and
found it to be quite enjoyable. Again, this is a brief
summary.

db3000 (#22865),
Sounds intriguing. I suppose that this variant changes the dynamic of the original game. But, then again, all 2 player variants do. Where can I find the complete rule of your variant? Maybe you should post them on BGG (an article, a file or a link). You may also want to submit it to the Mayfair website which has an extensive list of variants. I may have the opportunity to try it in the next few weeks.

Thanks!

fortinm (#22933), Thanks for your response. I'll do 2
posts and hopefully cover the 2 player variant for
Settlers fully. The variant as stated earlier involves
using a neutral player(white pieces). The dummy player
starts with 2 settlements and 2 roads. The dummy player
can only build roads thru the coarse of the game. The
dummy player cannot build on ports or buy cards. All they
can do is build roads and act as a trader of resources.
In order to play this 2 player variant, you need the base
game and a special trading chart which i created. Use the
standard Settlers set up and rules for the most part.

Trading and the Dummmy player: Players after rolling
production and before passing, can declare that they
would like to trade with the Dummmy player. The player
in question declares that they want to trade and 2 dice
are rolled( standard d-6 dice). The player then consults
the special trading chart in order to see what the
results are. The results are a proposed trade which the
player who rolled the dice may accept or decline. Again,
the proposed trade is optional. If a 7 is rolled then
no deal is declared and the players turn is automatically
over! I'll supply the chart in the next post.

Road Building and Resource cards involving the dummy
player: The dummy player tries to build as many roads as
it can through out the game. Besides trading resources,
that's all it does. The dummy player cannot own a port
and thus all bank trades are 4:1 ratio. If a dummy player
gets 4 resources of one type that are NOT brick or lumber,
then it must trade those 4 resources to the bank for
either brick or lumber. This is forced and is done
immediately! Examples: Dummy player has 4 sheep and
trades them to the Bank for 1 brick. Brick or lumber?
The dummy player must try to balance his Brick and lumber
resources as equally as possible. This rule influences
bank trades naturally.

When the dummy player has the resources to build a road
who places it? A roll off occurs between the two players.
High roll places it on the board using standard Settlers
rules. If a tie, re-roll.

Intial placement of Dummy settlements and roads: As
stated before, the dummy player starts with 2 roads and
two settlements(towns). How are they placed? Each player,
say Red and Blue, at the start of the game receive one
white settlement and road each for placement.

Placement order at the start of the game: Let's say Red
goes first and places a road and settlement. Then Blue
places a road and a settlement. Blue then goes again.
Then Red places it's second road and settlement. Then
Red places a white road and settlement. Then Blue places
a white road and settlement. Standard rules apply with
the collection of starting resources including the dummy
player. Note: If the dummy player can build a road right
away because it has a brick and lumber resource cards
from the start it builds the road immediately. Note:
If a 7 is rolled during the game the neutral player can
lose cards if it has more than a total of seven cards.
(If a 7 is rolled during trading with the dummy player
the player's turn ends immediately. No cards are lost
to the robber and no other effect occurs). I think
that's it. Optional Rule: Red player cannot trade with
the Blue player at all during the game. All trades are
port deals, bank trades and dummy trades.

db3000 (#23115), Forgot to state that you can only propose
a trade with the dummy player once per turn.

fortinm (#22933), The Trading Chart (2 player variant)

2) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a resource card from the dummy player.
3) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
an ore card from the dummy player.
4) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a lumber card from the dummy player.
5) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a brick card from the dummy player.
6) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a sheep card from the dummy player.
7) No deal! Your turn ends immediately.
8) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a wheat card from the dummy player.
9) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
a sheep or wheat card.
10) May trade any pair of resource cards for a card
of your choice from the dummy player.
11) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
an ore card from the dummy player.
12) May trade 1 resource card from your hand for
any 1 card from the dummy player.

That's the chart. Remember you can only propose a trade
with the dummy player once per turn only. Of course, it's
possible that the Dummy player doesn't always have the
resources proposed. That will happen. Your out of luck
when that occurs. However, your turn doesn't end in that
case...only if a 7 is rolled.

Idea/purpose behind the Dummy player: Make Settler basic
game playable and interesting with only 2 players. I was
satisfied with the results. The Dummy player, due to his
road building abilities, made the board seem smaller.
Also, the Dummy player could produce resources that were
intially difficult for you to produce and(hopefully)
trade them away to you cheaply.

Again, i was satified with this variant after more than
a dozen plays. It's not as difficult as it may sound.
Just like Settlers itself. Anyway, enjoy and feel free to
make comments. db3000