Catan Robber Rules: Rolling 7, Discarding Cards & Stealing
The robber is one of the most frequently misplayed parts of Catan. It matters in three separate ways: rolling a 7, blocking production, and stealing a resource card.
What happens when a 7 is rolled?
- No terrain hex produces resources.
- Every player with more than 7 resource cards must discard half of them, rounded down.
- The player who rolled the 7 moves the robber to a different terrain hex.
- If at least one opponent has a settlement or city next to that hex, the active player may steal 1 random resource card from one eligible opponent.
Who has to discard?
You discard only if you have 8 or more resource cards. Development cards do not count toward the hand-size check.
Examples: with 8 cards you discard 4; with 9 cards you discard 4; with 11 cards you discard 5.
Can you leave the robber where it is?
No. Under the standard rules, when you move the robber because of a 7, it must be moved to another terrain hex.
What does the robber block?
A terrain hex occupied by the robber does not produce resources when its number is rolled. Settlements and cities next to that hex receive nothing from that hex while the robber remains there.
How does stealing work?
After moving the robber, choose one opponent with a settlement or city adjacent to the robber’s new hex. Take one resource card at random from that player’s hand. If more than one opponent is eligible, you choose which player to steal from.
Does the robber steal development cards?
No. The robber steals only resource cards.
Does a Knight use the same robber rules?
A Knight development card also moves the robber and can trigger a random resource steal from an adjacent opponent. The hand-discard step belongs specifically to rolling a 7.
Related Catan guides
Official source
Rules checked September 2026.