CATAN: Cities & Knights*
Embark on a strategic journey in CATAN: Cities & Knights, an expansion that enriches the classic Settlers of Catan experience. Two major additions elevate gameplay - the creation of knights to fend off barbarian invasions and the construction of city improvements providing unique benefits. As part of the Catan Series, this expansion introduces tactical complexity and extends the game length.
Gameplay Overview
- New Commodities: Introduces three commodities - paper, cloth, and coins - distinct from regular resources. Obtained from Forest, Meadow, and Mountain spaces, these commodities allow players to build city improvements, altering the resource dynamics.
- City Improvements: Cities now yield 1 resource and 1 corresponding commodity. Players start with 1 city and 1 settlement to ease commodity acquisition. City improvements confer diverse advantages and contribute to victory points.
- Development Card Replacement: The development card deck is replaced by three decks, each tied to a specific commodity. Building city improvements increases the chances of drawing cards with various effects, enhancing strategic possibilities.
- Knights and Defense: Construct knights along road networks to claim intersections, move the Robber, and defend against barbarian attacks. Successful defense rewards players with the most knights, while failure results in city downgrades for those with the fewest knights.
Special Features
- Resource Commodities: The introduction of commodities adds a layer of resource management and strategic planning.
- Diverse Development Cards: Three distinct decks offer a wider range of effects, enhancing the variety and unpredictability of gameplay.
- Knights for Defense and Dominance: Knights serve dual purposes, defending against barbarians and vying for dominance, adding depth to player interactions.
Conclusion
CATAN: Cities & Knights transforms the Settlers of Catan landscape, infusing it with new challenges and strategic depth. The inclusion of commodities, diverse development cards, and the pivotal role of knights in defense and competition make this expansion an essential addition for those seeking a more intricate and engaging Catan experience.
- 3 - 4 Players
- 90 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
We like CATAN: Cities & Knights so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2025
- Position 15 in The best board games to end a relationship'
- Position 3 in The best games presented at the Spiel 1998 game fair in Essen, Germany
- Position 9 in The best Settlers of Catan expansions
- Position 2 in The best Settlers of Catan variants⎇ and versions
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