The Robber
The robber is one of the most impactful mechanics in the game. Here's how it works.
When Does the Robber Activate?
The robber activates in two ways:
- Rolling a 7 — The active player must move the robber
- Playing a Knight card — The player who plays the card moves the robber
Step-by-Step: Rolling a 7
- Discard Phase — Every player with more than 7 resource cards must discard half of their cards (rounded down). For example, a player with 9 cards discards 4. Players choose which cards to discard.
- Move the Robber — The active player moves the robber pawn to any hex tile on the board (it cannot stay on the same hex).
- Block Production — The hex where the robber sits will not produce resources when its number is rolled, until the robber is moved again.
- Steal a Resource — The active player steals one random resource card from any player who has a settlement or city adjacent to the robber's new hex.
Robber Strategy
Defensive: Avoid Hoarding Cards
Keep your hand at 7 or fewer cards when possible. Trade or build before ending your turn to reduce the risk of losing cards to the discard rule.
Offensive: Target the Leader
Place the robber on a high-value hex (numbers 6 or 8) adjacent to the leading player to slow them down and steal their resources.
Knights as Defense
If the robber is blocking one of your hexes, play a Knight card on your turn to move it away. Bonus: playing 3+ knights earns you the Largest Army bonus (2 VP).