The best Settlers of Catan variants⎇ and versions 2026
The Settlers of Catan will be 25 years old in 2020. In this list we have picked out the best Catan variants 2026 for you. With these variants⎇ or spinoffs, every Settlers game will be different.
Looking for a good Settlers expansion?
Besides the completely independent Settlers variants, there are of course expansions for the Catan Basic Game. We created an extra list for you: The best Settlers of Catan expansions.
Which is the best Settlers version?
Which one do you think is the best Settlers of Catan version? Write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.
List with the best Settlers variants⎇ 2026
Enclosed now our overview with the best Settlers of Catan versions 2026:
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CATAN: Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers (Expansion)
More details for CATAN: Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers (Expansion)This expansion pack provides additional materials for scenarios that could previously only be played with some modifications. It includes components for various scenarios and a new scenario called "Setting Off into the Unknown." The expansion also offers enough materials for a larger game of Catan without needing a second base game.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 8+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan Geographies: North Rhine – Westphalia (Expansion)
More details for Catan Geographies: North Rhine – Westphalia (Expansion)The edition of Catan - North Rhine-Westphalia is part of a series of historical regional map expansions for the classic Catan line. It features the area of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its industrial region along the Rhine, including the city of Essen, famous for its gaming fair.
- 👥 2 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 60 Minutes
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan: Seafarers Scenario – Legend of the Sea Robbers (Expansion)
More details for Catan: Seafarers Scenario – Legend of the Sea Robbers (Expansion)The scenario "Legend of the Pirates" offers four interconnected scenarios celebrating the 20th anniversary of Catan: Seafarers. Players can enjoy each scenario individually while aiming to collect ten victory points, and they can also track their scores at the end of each scenario, influencing the next game. This expansion requires both the base game of Catan and the Seafarers expansion.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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CATAN: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension
More details for CATAN: Seafarers – 5-6 Player ExtensionThe Catan: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension expands the possibilities of the original Seafarers of Catan game, allowing for 1-2 additional players to join in. This extension maintains the ease of play of the original game while introducing ten new scenarios, designed to enhance the experience of seafaring, exploration, and trade in the world of Catan. With this expansion, 5-6 players can now engage in the strategy and adventure of settling mysterious islands near Catan.
- 👥 5 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 120 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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The Settlers of Catan: The Chocolate Market
More details for The Settlers of Catan: The Chocolate MarketRitter Sport, a German chocolate manufacturer, introduces a mini-expansion for the Settlers of Catan. Players can trade five new goods: cocoa, sugar, milk, grapes, and hazelnuts. With the right combination, they can produce one of five special chocolates to earn new materials, cards, or victory points.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 75 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan: Traders & Barbarians (3. Expansion)
CATAN: Traders & Barbarians is the third major expansion for The Settlers of Catan, offering a collection of various small expansions and scenarios. This expansion adds new dimensions to the base game, providing players with more variety and strategic options. It is compatible with the base game and can be combined with other expansions like Seafarers and Cities & Knights.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Catan: Traders & Barbarians (3. Expansion)- 👥 2 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 60 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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Catan Geographies: Bavaria (Expansion)
More details for Catan Geographies: Bavaria (Expansion)Die Siedler von Bayern is a historical regional expansion for the Settlers of Catan series, showcasing famous medieval regions of Germany where Celts, Romans, and Germans intermingled. It features cities like Regensburg, Munich, and Passau on a fixed game board, with geographical features mirroring their real-life counterparts. The rules are similar to standard Catan but include unique elements, such as building constraints based on city proximity and simplified harbor usage.
- 👥 2 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 45 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension
More details for Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player ExtensionCatan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension expands the beloved Catan series, allowing up to six players to engage in the strategic building and trading game set in the world of Catan. This extension not only accommodates more players but also enhances the depth and complexity of the Cities & Knights expansion by adding new dimensions to the gameplay.
- 👥 5 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 120 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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Catan: Cities & Knights – Legend of the Conquerors (Erweiterung)
Catan: The Legend of the Conquerors includes three new scenarios that expand the gameplay of the Cities & Knights expansion. Players will experience a new chapter in Catan's history through these interconnected scenarios, which require deep strategic thinking and present the toughest challenges yet.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Catan: Cities & Knights – Legend of the Conquerors (Erweiterung)- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 - 120 Minutes
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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The Settlers of Catan: The Colonies Anniversary Scenario (Expansion)
More details for The Settlers of Catan: The Colonies Anniversary Scenario (Expansion)Players explore a large island filled with exotic resources, aiming to profit from them. They must transport these resources to the coast and then overseas, creating a logistical challenge. The expansion, based on a scenario from the Catan book, complements the original game and requires the Seafarers expansion.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan: Seafarers - 20th Anniversary Edition
More details for Catan: Seafarers - 20th Anniversary EditionPlayers explore water routes in a new expansion for Catan, incorporating sea witches and various maritime scenarios. The 20th Anniversary Edition introduces four new scenarios under "The Legend of the Sea Robbers," which feature a connected narrative about pirates arriving in Catan and brings a fresh gameplay experience to the Catan universe. Additional scenario expansions will be available separately in select stores.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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CATAN: New Energies
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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The Settlers of Catan: Historical Scenarios II
More details for The Settlers of Catan: Historical Scenarios IIThis expansion takes players to the time of the Great Wall of China and the era of the Trojan War. It utilizes a fixed board and components from the base game along with the 5&6 Player Expansion, introducing new elements and playable in about 90 minutes.
- 👥 4 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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The Settlers of Catan: Atlantis - Scenarios & Variants (Expansion)
More details for The Settlers of Catan: Atlantis - Scenarios & Variants (Expansion)A box expansion for Settlers of Catan, it collects, revises, and adds some new small expansions. It was bundled for free with the 10th anniversary Gold Edition of Settlers. The expansions included are Atlantis, Catan Event Cards, In the Jungle, Volcanoes on Catan, The Specialists, City Walls, Castles on Catan, The Great River, The Harbourmaster, and The Magical 7.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 60 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan: Explorers & Pirates (4. Expansion)
More details for Catan: Explorers & Pirates (4. Expansion)Catan: Explorers & Pirates is the fourth major expansion for the game, featuring five scenarios and three missions, with some scenarios utilizing missions while others do not. Players explore three islands, starting on one known island, then building ships and settlers to discover new lands. Instead of cities, players can construct harbor settlements that provide resources, and when lacking resources during production, they receive gold as compensation, which can be exchanged for resources or used to escape pirates.
- 👥 2 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 - 120 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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Catan: Traders & Barbarians – 5-6 Player Extension
More details for Catan: Traders & Barbarians – 5-6 Player ExtensionFive to six players dive into new adventures on the island of Catan. The expansion includes new scenarios and offers up to six players paths to even greater wealth or bitter poverty.
- 👥 5 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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Catan Scenario: Crop Trust (Expansion)
More details for Catan Scenario: Crop Trust (Expansion)In this scenario, players balance their individual needs for crop yields with a shared goal of storing and conserving seeds in a seed cellar. Those who harvest too much risk threatening seed diversity and could lead Catan to mass extinction and a collapse of the food supply.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
Video reviews for Catan Scenario: Crop Trust (Expansion)
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CATAN: Soccer Fever (Scenario)
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 75 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
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The Settlers of Catan: Historical Scenarios
More details for The Settlers of Catan: Historical ScenariosThis is an expansion featuring two scenarios: Cheops and Alexander the Great. The first scenario involves building pyramids, while the second focuses on the imperial expansion of Alexander.
- 👥 3 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 90 Minutes
- 🧒 10+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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Catan: Explorers & Pirates – 5-6 Player Extension
More details for Catan: Explorers & Pirates – 5-6 Player ExtensionThis expansion allows a fifth and sixth player to join in building, trading, colonizing, fishing, sailing, battling pirates, and spice trading in Catan: Explorers & Pirates. It adds components for two additional players to the game, enhancing the experience of this fourth major expansion for the Settlers of Catan series.
- 👥 5 - 6 Players
- ⏱️ 120 - 150 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Medium difficulty
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