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¿Question #3085?
Spielfreak: When placing your first two settlements in Settlers of Catan, do you place more emphasis on achieving diversity of commodities or maximizing probabilities?

uglifruit: One of life's great debates. Personally I favour statistically rich, but near a 2:1 port in that resource.
lordyuric: Maximizing probabilities
Anfauglir: Maximizing probabilities. When you build more settlements, diversity will come automatically. You need clay and wood at the start.
Dearlove: Good commodities are worth a one point sacrifice, unique commodities maybe two, never three
Bjorn DS: diversity
xofour: I start out going for diversity but then wind up wishing I had gone for probablilities.
monkeyboy157: Diversity. However, if the probabilities are just horrible it isn't worth the diversity.
Hendal: MP
Woelf: It depends on turn order - if I'm first or second I usually go for the most diverse spot available (especially with wood & brick), but if I'm later in the placement order, especially fourth, I might try to load up on a single resouce (sheep!) and also grab the corresponding 2:1 port.
topaidi2002: Defintelly otherwise I will end up with about 1000 sheep cards.
tankexmortis: Diversity. Maybe that's why I always lose?
The Unbeliever: 42
ZeroZilla: I think it's more important to be as diverse as possible, in both resources and their associated numbers. I would not, for instance, place so as to have all five resources but only 4 of a possible 6 numbers, by repeating two. If those two numbers don't come up pretty often, you're sunk.
maufry: I tend to go for probablities, but ultimately it doesn't seem to matter which one I choose. The dice inevitably screw me either way.
DKahnt: maximizing probabilities... and a harbor
gmcash: Probabilities and possible port connections
WonderLlama: Probabilities.
hannibal twin 8: Both. (Or neither, I've never played Catan)
kpetzing: a balance of the two. I try to have all the commodities represented but will give up sheep if necessary
DHEK: Maximizing probabilities is more important than achieving diversity if you have to make that choice. Of course you try to achieve diversity but if it's a choice between having whatever resource you're missing but getting crappy probability and getting good probability but a resource you already have, you should go with good probability. Trust me.
White Stone: Diversity. The dice tend to roll in a weird fashion anyways
Butterbane: diversity of commodities
aleo09: probabilities
hoojii: Diversity.
darcyj2: Yes.
StormKnight: Preferably both!
redjack11: I place most emphasis on the pretty colors.
PsyJam: It's a balance, but I always make sure that I have easy access to brick and wood.
scriptorum: I prefer to place emphasis on monopolizing commodities, although this strategy won me no accolades last game.
KentuckyKid: I've only played Settlers once, and I placed sort of randomly. I lost.
Numskull: I'll flip a coin to determine that, since I'm guaranteed to get shafted by the dice either way.
jlavigne: a fine balance of the two plus good starting resources
W Eric Martin: Phil, I've played the game only twice. Let's talk about Fifth Avennue instead...
Beelzebub: best of both
dragonewtking: yes
Avatar_69: I try to do both, but I always make sure I get at least one of each commodity
mrspank: maximizing probabilities.
Dorque: Maximizing.
Hoju: screwing the other people
Mordachai: Diversity usually pays off.
xianrotide: oooo That's tough. Probabilities.
jasta6: Diversity.........................................................
brainrob: I don't play Settlers because it's a luck ridden piece of crap
Chris Page: Maximizing probabilities, and trying to own the market on some good, so potential traders can come crawling in desperation.
bigbadsteve: i dont know the game well enough to give a decent answer
Janiv: I tend to go the diversity of commodities but then end up loosing because none of my numbers are rolled!
korppu: Both
janiera: Diversity of commodities
Kazin: Probability.
twixter: I don't really know the game well enough to give an intelligent answer.
MisterCranky: Invariably I worry about probability, and invariably I am screwed.
Tushratta: Maximizing probabilities.
Dr. No: maximizing probabilities
jellospike: diversity, but I really try both.
ValJor: Diversity of commodities
ssmooth: Probabilities -- but diversity of commodities is a secondary consideration.
puffinge: probabilities
POvidiusNaso: Probabilities.
kytmuisco: Usually diversity of commodities.
dakarp: Maximizing probabilities.
skrutsch: I try to choose ones that complement each other. You know, stuff that goes with the proper port, etc. I guess probabilities are more important to me.
Lord_Prussian: I focus on getting a location with a great view.
kimapesan: I put them down to block other people. I like being difficult right from the start.
CherryPie: Diversity of commodities.
Belash: commodities
davedanger: how many beers involved?
snoozefest: depends on the board
2amp: never played
CortexBomb: Depends on the map. If a single commodity is very scarce I will often focus on that. In general I think diversifying maximum probabilities is the strongest rule of thumb, but the board really has to dictate it
kunnagh: Diversity. But it depends where the ports are...
djlg: Focus on probabilities unless I think I can corner the market in something.
heli: both, but those are just two of the considerations
Tim Synge: I seek a balance of these two factors.
chaddyboy_2000: Diversity.
BaSL: yes
Spielfreak: While there are many factors to consider, my #1 concern is to get a good mix of numbers.
skelebone: Maximizing probabilities, and stocking up on ore and wheat if they are on good numbers.
Dave: There are so many things that go into it, and whether diversity or probabilities is a bigger factor depends on many other things.
jttm: Gaining rarity
CDRodeffer: I always grab a 2:1 port (preferably ore or wood) if either is available. If not, I go for probability.