Best Catan Expansions

This comprehensive guide of the 5 Best Catan expansions provides an in-depth look into the top expansion and extension games of the original standard Catan board game that everybody loves.

These top Catan expansions make for perfect birthday & Christmas gifts for your family and friends who love board games. Accordingly, they are also a fun way to enhance the classic Settlers of Catan game.

The best Catan expansion is Cities & Knights according to Catan players on Reddit. It's been found to be the most popular as per the results of this poll. If you're wondering, "which Catan expansion should I get first?" For most players, the Seafarers Catan expansion is a great choice for beginners to start out with. 

We'll analyze the following five Catan expansions and their respective extensions:

1. Seafarers
2. Cities & Knights
3. Traders & Barbarians
4. Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers
5. Standard 5-6 player extension.

Friendly Reminder: you NEED to have the basic Catan version in addition to one of these 5 Best Catan Expansions below in order to play.

Let's dive in!

''Gazing out from the coast, your vision sweeps across the unceasing sea. With your homeland tamed, your soul aches for far-reaching escapades, more formidable conquests. Your folks are willing to take after you, even into the shadowy perils of the mysterious.

Close by, veteran dockhands are adding the finishing touches to your first-rate nautical vessel. Before long, you will leave the towns in the rearview and join the multitude of explorers and conquerors. Quickly you will become one of the Navigators of Catan! "

The Catan Seafarers Expansion is a riveting game of maritime exploration, trading and developmental growth for up 4 players (and up to 6 players with the extension). It includes eight brand-new scenarios that present even more challenge and entertainment.

Firstly, in this expansion, players must build ships to explore and link together the islands, collect gold, and earn victory points. The islands are new and more diversified, the requirement for resources is more intense, and the thrills are far greater!

As you probe the seas, you are destined to discover new islands. Every isle is unique and the possibilities are unbounded! Enjoy your next Seafaring journey with new strategies, including ship building, exploration and island hopping.

-> Click here for the official Catan Seafarers Expansion Scenarios and Rules.

Seafarers 5-6 Player Extension

"The distant, obscure isles of Catan loom before you. Some are visible on the horizon, while others are shrouded in the billowing fog. A few are mapped out, while others are merely spoken of in stories and fables.

A number of them, the fabled gold-fields included, offer fortune without equal. Others carry with them peril and misery. Together, they provide the chance of abundant crops and unending wealth to the pioneering seafarers that reach their lands.

Yet, numerous other lords have also responded to the invitation to become the foremost to explore and colonize the grand archipelago! Now, all that's left is...Can you outpace and outwit them to become the leader of the Isles of Catan?''

With the Catan Seafarers 5-6 Player Extension, you are now ready to embark upon your seafaring adventure! All that remains is to obtain the gaming components necessary for the specific scenario you've chosen.

*Other Catan games needed to play EVERY scenario in Catan: Seafarers 5-6 Player Extension (all required):

• Catan
• Catan: 5-6 Player Extension
• Seafarers Expansion

-> Here are the official Catan Seafarers 5-6 Player Extension Scenarios and Rules.

2) Catan Cities & Knights Expansion

"As a stalwart defender of your dominion, you must strengthen your metropolis by constructing better buildings, recruiting more valiant knights, and developing advanced commodities.

With your brave knights at the ready and your empire's infrastructure on the rise, you are certain to repel any barbarian attack and secure your kingdom's prosperity for generations to come.

As the protector of your realm, you must remain vigilant in the face of danger. Lurking barbarians are always a risk to your city's well-being, and it is your responsibility to prepare your gallant knights and upgrade your settlements in order to ensure your empire's survival."

The Catan Cities & Knights Catan expansion adds a new board with cities and knights, as well as an event deck. Moreover, players must build cities, activate knights and earn victory points.

Game components include knights, and commodities such as ore, brick, wood and grain.

Correspondingly, in this expansion, strategies include trading, building cities and upgrading knights.

-> Here are the official Catan Cities & Knights Expansion Rules.

Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension

"Behold the challenge of competing against your kindred rivals as you make a bid to control the isles of Catan. At the same time, a greater and mightier thunder of barbarians awaits the slightest demonstration of frailty from the island's feuding sovereigns.

Will you summon the protectors of Catan, seize the opportunity to expand and enhance your land, and build one of the great cities of Catan? Or will you be ousted by your envious neighbours while another challenger annexes the triumph?"

Up to six valiant players can prepare their knights to bravely battle the sinister force that looms upon Catan! The Catan Cities and Knights 5-6 player extension permits you to augment and add more thrill to without forgoing user-friendliness.

Constructed for 5 or 6 batting opponents, it brings in even more suspense to the esteemed game of civilization, diplomacy and warfare.

*Other Catan games needed to play Catan: Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension (all required):

• Catan
• Catan: 5-6 Player Extension
• Cities & Knights Expansion

-> Check out the official Catan Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension Rules.

3) Catan Traders & Barbarians Expansion

"Rumor as it that in the woods of Catan, a peculiar happening is transpiring. Strange narratives have been arising from the obscure forests of the Black Forest, implying that the dreaded robber has vanished unaccountably and that a youthful boy has assumed his role.

They dub him "Rob de Hood", and the gossip has it that he is only relieving the wealthy voyageurs. Poor souls are allowed to pass through unscathed..."

The Traders & Barbarians Catan expansion adds a new intriguing board with a variety of new game pieces including roads, cities and barbarians.

Haven't we all encountered the vexation of the robber being stationed close to one of our settlements at the outset of the game? It not only can result in a resource being forfeited, but also leaves us unable to receive resources until a "7" is rolled or a knight card is drawn.

To help avoid these problems, the "Friendly Robber" variation guards us from the robber until we possess over two victory points.

Players must build roads, cities and fortifications in order to earn victory points.

In this expansion, strategies include trading, building and defending against the barbarians.

-> Click here for the official Catan Traders & Barbarians Expansion Rules.

Traders & Barbarians 5-6 Player Extension

"Rumors are abound in the timberland of Catan. Weird tales are wafting out of the dark woods of the Black Forest, signifying that the feared robber has vanished without a clue, and that a juvenille man has taken his spot.

His name goes by Rob de Hood, and it's said that he is just taking from affluent voyageurs. 5 stimulating scenarios with up to 6 contenders. Embrace the competition from your fellow settlers as you struggle to thrive and succeed on the island of Catan!"

The Traders & Barbarians Catan 5-6 player extension allows you to participate in all of the five enthralling scenarios with a maximum of six contestants.

Now, you will confront even more rivalry from your fellow colonists as you strive to endure and thrive on the island of Catan!

Further, with this expansion, you can compete against your comrades to gain superiority.

*These Catan games are required to play in Catan: Traders & Barbarians 5-6 Player Extension (all required):

• Catan
• Catan: 5-6 Player Extension
• Traders & Barbarians Expansion

-> Click link for the official Catan Traders & Barbarians 5-6 Player Extension Rules.

4) Catan Treasures, Dragons and Adventurers

"Embark on an extraordinary adventure as you set sail to conquer dragons, forge canals, and unveil hidden islands along the captivating shores of Catan. Prepare to unlock the secrets of these uncharted territories and claim their bountiful treasures for yourself and your rivals."

The Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers expansion adds an abundance of new and thrilling game components. This expansion is an absolute must-have for seasoned players who relish the opportunity to customize existing scenarios or let their creativity soar by investing their own maps and challenges.

Featuring six captivating scenarios, this expansion pack takes your Catan experience to new heights.

The scenario pack contains the following pieces: 1 rule book, 12 land fields, 6 sea fields (back side desert), 2 frame parts, 16 city (in 4 colours), 20 treasure tokens, 12 number tokens, 9 canal tokens and 19 wooden dragon pieces.

*These Catan games are required to play in Catan Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers. (all required):

• Catan
• Catan: Seafarers Expansion
• Cities & Knights Expansion

-> Here are the official Catan Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers Rules.

5) Catan 5-6 Player Extension

"The infinite lands of Catan are open to you and your colonists. The prodigious stretch of land continues out in every direction. It brings expectations of plentiful yields and ample wealth. Unhappily, it is too occupied!

Other leaders have arisen adjacent to you, and you must stand up to them if you want to fulfill your fantasy of ruling Catan! The island is vaster, the request for assets is more intense, and the excitements are even more remarkable!"

Is the Catan 5-6 player expansion worth it? Yes, it absolutely is if your goal is to play a regular game of Catan with 5 or 6 players and here's why!

The 5-6 player extension for Catan is an expansion that allows 5-6 players to join together and battle for the ultimate goal of establishing settlements and becoming the largest and most successful kingdom.

This Catan expansion is perfect for those who want to take their Catan game to the next level, allowing them to bring in more players and have more strategic and tactical options.

*These Catan games are required to play in Catan 5-6 Player Extension (all required):

• Catan
• Catan: 5-6 Player Extension

-> Click here for the official Catan 5-6 Player Extension Rules.

That rounds up our detailed list of the 5 Best Catan Expansions along with the extensions. My hope is that you are prepared to expand your Catan horizons into the realm of its expansions.

In addition to the Best Catan Expansions above, I've also included two of my other favourite expansions below. I invite you to check them out if you are up for another challenging Catan adventure.

Game Of Thrones Expansion For Catan

"The Brothers of the Night's Watch seek a new commander from their number. Jeor Mormont aims to lift one who can upgrade the amenity of the Gift, the lavish and untamed region south of the Wall given to the Watch by the Starks many moons ago.

Surviving on the tough scenery of the north presents adequate troubles, but whoever assumes this errand must also guard and protect the Wall from the clash of wildings struggling to enter Westeros.

Numerous brothers now vie for the construction, defence, and the safety of Westeros, but only one shall ascend above their brethren to become the new Lord Commander. However, be cautious as the north contains many perils, and winter is drawing near."

The Catan: Game Of Thrones expansion allows 4 players to battle it out with different rule options. You have the Base Game Rules and The Brotherhood Of The Watch Rules to chose from.

This Catan expansion is an absolute must for all Game of Thrones board game fans.

-> Click here for the official Catan: Game of Thrones Rules.

Starfarers Expansion For Catan

"In the latter half of the third millennium, humanity and these alien species form an alliance that opens up the possibilities of intergalactic travel. As a result, Starfarers are now able to traverse the stars and explore the vastness of intergalactic space. By utilizing the crystal-powered drive, they are able to traverse long distances in a relatively short amount of time.

In addition to the technological advances made possible by the crystal-powered drive, Starfarers have also benefited from the newfound ability to communicate with alien species. Through a combination of diplomacy, commerce, and exploration, humanity has been able to forge beneficial relationships with these alien civilizations. 

The alliance between humanity and the alien species has revolutionized space travel. Starfarers are now able to raverse vast distances in a fraction of the time it once took, allowing them to explore the unknown reaches of the universe. Moreover, the knowledge and technology gained through the alliance have enabled humanity to further advance its own progress. As a result, humanity is now able to take its first steps towards becoming a truly intergalactic species."

The Catan: Starfarers expansion allows 4 players to travel space and cross paths with intelligent, amicable alien civilizations: The Scientists, Green Folk, Diplomats, Travelers and Merchants.

This Catan expansion offers variable game boards to play with including three phases during gameplay: production phases trade & build phase and flight phase.

-> Check out the Catan: Starfarers Rules.

Summary

This marks the end of our Top 5 Best Catan Expansions list along with the 5-6 player extensions and other popular Catan expansions. Our hope is that you found a new game for you to play with your friends & family during game-night.

If you need a refresher on one of the Catan expansions or extensions, simply click one of the links above for a quick reference.

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Happy Catan-ing!