How to Upgrade Your CATAN Game with Metal Dice and a Premium Robber

Quick answer

Upgrade CATAN by replacing the plastic robber with a metal or stone figure and swapping the two base-game d6s for a matched metal pair. Roll on a padded tray so heavy dice do not dent cards or tables, and agree on house rules for the robber before you start. Keep the original pieces boxed as a travel or backup set.

CATAN already runs on dice and negotiation, so the fastest way to make the table feel premium is to change what your hands actually touch. A metal dice set adds weight and a satisfying clack, and a heavier robber figure makes the game's most dramatic moment feel like an event instead of a plastic token sliding across the board.

This guide walks through the upgrade in order, from picking dice that match CATAN's two-d6 rolls to a robber figure that fits the board and house rules that keep the change fun. It also covers the one thing most players forget: protecting cards and the table from heavy metal.

Start with the dice CATAN actually uses

CATAN resolves production rolls with two six-sided dice, so you do not need a full polyhedral set to play. A matched pair of d6s in the same finish is the cleanest upgrade because both dice feel identical in the hand and produce the same number range. If you already own a full set, pull the two d6s and keep the rest for other RPGs or as spares.

Weight matters more than color here. Metal d6s are heavier than acrylic and land with less bounce, which some groups love and others find too forceful on a bare table. Test a few rolls on your usual play surface before committing the whole table to metal.

• Checkpoint: both dice should be the same size and material so neither player feels they got the lighter pair.

Choose a robber upgrade that fits the board

The robber is the piece everyone argues about, so it deserves better than a plain plastic figure. A metal or stone robber with some heft stays put when the board gets bumped and reads clearly from across the table. Look for a figure that is roughly the same footprint as the original so it still fits on a hex without covering roads or settlements.

If you cannot find a dedicated robber, a small metal figurine or a heavy stone token works as a stand-in. The goal is a piece that is easy to grab, hard to knock over, and visually distinct from the player pieces.

• Common mistake: buying an oversized robber that hides the number token or pushes settlements off the hex.

Set up the table so heavy pieces do not damage anything

Metal dice and metal robbers can dent cards, scratch tables, and scuff hex tiles. A padded dice tray solves most of this: it catches rolls, deadens the noise, and gives the dice a consistent surface. Put the tray where the whole table can see the result, not off to one side where players have to lean over.

Keep the robber off bare wood when it is not in play. A small cloth or the box lid works as a resting spot between moves. If your group plays on a glass table, treat the padded tray as mandatory rather than optional.

• Checkpoint: roll a few test throws into the tray and confirm the dice stay inside and the tray does not slide.

Agree on robber house rules before the first roll

A premium robber does not change the rules, but it does draw attention to them. Before you start, confirm how your table handles the robber: whether you play the friendly robber variant, whether the robber can be placed on the desert, and how long a player can be targeted. Writing this down once prevents mid-game arguments.

If you are introducing the upgrade to a new group, explain the change as a cosmetic one. The robber still blocks production and steals a card; the metal figure is just easier to see and harder to knock over.

• Common mistake: assuming everyone knows the friendly robber variant; state it out loud before setup.

Match the rest of the table without overspending

You do not need to replace every component at once. Dice and the robber give the biggest tactile payoff for the least money, and they are the pieces players touch every turn. Roads, settlements, and cards can stay as they are until you decide the upgrade is worth expanding.

If you want a second visual upgrade, a set of acrylic dice in a color that matches your player color is a cheap way to keep the table readable. Save the heavier metal sets for the shared dice everyone rolls.

• Checkpoint: set a budget for the upgrade and stop at dice plus robber unless the whole group wants more.

Your CATAN upgrade checklist

1. Pick two matched d6s: Choose a metal, stone, or silicone pair in the same size and finish so both dice feel identical. If you buy a full polyhedral set, pull the two d6s for CATAN and store the rest. Checkpoint: roll each die ten times on your play surface and confirm neither one feels or sounds noticeably different.
2. Add a robber figure with the right footprint: Find a metal or stone robber that is roughly the same size as the original so it fits on a hex without covering roads or number tokens. Common mistake: choosing a figure that is too tall or wide and blocks the board.
3. Set up a padded dice tray: Place a padded tray within reach of every player and roll all metal dice into it. This protects cards, tiles, and the table from dents and scratches. Checkpoint: the tray should not slide when you roll, and dice should stay inside.
4. Write down your robber house rules: Decide before the game whether you use the friendly robber, where the robber can be placed, and how long a player can be targeted. Say it out loud at setup. Common mistake: assuming everyone plays the robber the same way.
5. Keep the original pieces as a backup: Box the plastic robber and the original d6s. They are your travel set, your loaner set, and your fallback if a metal piece goes missing. Next step: play one full game with the upgrade before buying more components.

Components that work well for a CATAN upgrade

• Purple with Gold Numbers 16mm Polyhedral Dice Set: Made with solid zinc and plated with shiny-polished nickel, this 16mm metal set includes 7 dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d10 (00-90), d12, and d20), and individual sizes can be purchased separately. You can buy just the d6s for CATAN or keep the full set for RPG nights, and the zinc-nickel build gives the weight that makes metal dice feel premium.
• Tales of the Valiant Metal Dice Set: Silver w/ Light Blue Enamel: This full-sized 16mm polyhedral set comes with 7 dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d10, d12, d20) made with solid zinc and plated with shiny-polished nickel. A second metal set lets you keep two matched d6s at the CATAN table and still have a full polyhedral set for other games.
• Mystic Mines 16mm Stone Poly Dice Set: Picture Jasper: This full-sized 16mm polyhedral set comes with 7 dice and is made from gemstone, hand polished for a hefty feel and a distinctive look. Stone dice are a quieter, non-metal option if your group dislikes the clatter of metal on a tray.
• Sharp Edge Silicone Rubber Dice Set: Rainbow: Sharp Edge Silicone Rubber dice are full-sized 16mm sets with 7 dice, and the sharp edges provide a precise roll complemented by the slight bounce of silicone. Silicone is the gentlest option for tables where metal dice feel too loud or too hard on cards.

Upgrading CATAN is mostly about the pieces your hands touch every turn. Start with two matched d6s and a robber that fits the board, roll everything into a padded tray, and agree on robber rules before the first turn. Keep the originals boxed, and expand the upgrade only if the whole table wants more.