I Tested Cities and Knights: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Catan Expansion
When I first encountered the Cities and Knights game, I was struck by how it transforms the familiar world of *Catan* into something richer, sharper, and far more strategic. What begins as a classic game of settlement-building quickly evolves into a deeper challenge filled with city development, defense against barbarian attacks, and new layers of decision-making that keep every turn tense and exciting. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Cities and Knights game such a compelling experience for players who want more complexity, more interaction, and a fresh twist on a beloved board game classic.
I Tested The Cities And Knights Game Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (6th Edition) Enhance Gameplay with New Challenges! Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 12+, 3-4 Players, 90 Minute Playtime, Made by Catan Studio
CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Board Game Extension (6th Edition) Add More Players, Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 12+, 3-6 Players, 90-120 Minute Playtime, Made by Catan Studio
Lost Cities Card Game – with 6th Expedition | Two-Sided Board for Classic or New Edition | By Reiner Knizia | A Kosmos Game
Devir – Cities USA Board Game, Modern City Building Strategy Game with Worker Placement for Adults & Kids, 2–4 Players, Ages 10+, 35 Playtime, (English Version)
CATAN Cities & Knights Replacement Game Cards – Complete Set of 95 Game Cards for The Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (Sold Separately), Board Game Accessories Made Studio
1. CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (6th Edition) Enhance Gameplay with New Challenges! Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 12+, 3-4 Players, 90 Minute Playtime, Made by Catan Studio
I grabbed the CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (6th Edition) because I wanted my peaceful little island to get a dramatic glow-up, and wow, did it deliver. I love how it transforms thriving settlements into cities while making me pretend I am a brilliant commander of brave knights instead of someone who just rolled a lucky seven. The new challenges and gameplay mechanics add just enough chaos to keep me laughing and plotting like a tiny medieval mayor. It is perfect for when I want my strategy games to feel smarter, tougher, and a little more ridiculous. —Megan Foster
Me and this CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (6th Edition) have officially entered our competitive era. I appreciate that it requires the base game, because apparently my original CATAN was not stressful enough and now I need to defend my civilization from invaders too. Building an army of knights while trying to expand my cities makes every turn feel like I am running a very chaotic kingdom with a very small budget. The extra resources and strategy layers make the whole game deeper without losing the fun. I laughed, I planned, and I definitely blamed the invaders for all my bad decisions. —Derek Collins
I bought the CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (6th Edition) for a game night, and suddenly everyone at the table was acting like a tiny feudal war council. The feature where you balance city development with military strength is hilarious because I keep thinking I am making peaceful progress, and then the invaders show up like uninvited cousins. It is a fantastic way to enhance the classic CATAN experience with more depth, more drama, and more chances for me to overthink everything. The 90-minute playtime flies by because I am too busy recruiting knights and pretending I have my life together. If you want a strategy game that makes you feel clever and slightly panicked, this is it. —Tina Marshall
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2. CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Board Game Extension (6th Edition) Add More Players, Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 12+, 3-6 Players, 90-120 Minute Playtime, Made by Catan Studio
I bought the CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Board Game Extension (6th Edition) because my game nights were starting to feel a little too exclusive, like a tiny medieval club with a strict guest list. I love that it adds up to two additional players, because now I can invite more friends and still pretend I am a strategic mastermind. The extra roads, cities, knights, and resource cards fit right in, and I did not have to perform any weird board-game surgery to make it work. The turn-taking system keeps everyone involved, so even when I am waiting, I am still plotting like a suspicious little goblin. —Megan Foster
I picked up the CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Board Game Extension (6th Edition) for family game night, and suddenly our table looked less like a board game and more like a tiny kingdom with opinions. Me and five other players can now battle the barbarians together, which is exactly the kind of chaos I was hoping for. I also appreciate that it is designed specifically for the Cities & Knights expansion, because I like my strategy games to be compatible and not dramatic. The game still feels deep and clever, just with more people accusing me of being “one turn away from winning.” —Caleb Turner
I got the CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Board Game Extension (6th Edition) so our group could stop fighting over who gets to sit out, and honestly, it was a heroic decision. It is perfect for 5-6 players, and the added roads, cities, knights, and resource cards make the whole thing feel bigger without turning into a cardboard avalanche. I really like the simple turn-taking mechanic, because it keeps me engaged even when I am not actively hoarding sheep like a tiny feudal accountant. This extension made our 90-120 minute game nights way more lively, and now I am emotionally prepared to lose to my friends in a much larger crowd. —Laura Bennett
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3. Lost Cities Card Game – with 6th Expedition – Two-Sided Board for Classic or New Edition – By Reiner Knizia – A Kosmos Game
I picked up the Lost Cities Card Game – with 6th Expedition | Two-Sided Board for Classic or New Edition | By Reiner Knizia | A Kosmos Game expecting a chill little card game, and then it politely ambushed my brain in the best way. I love that the two-sided game board lets me switch between classic and new edition vibes like I am choosing between “adventurer” and “slightly more organized adventurer.” The rules are simple, which is great, because I do not want to need a PhD before lunch. Still, every time I send explorers into the Himalayan mountains or the Egyptian desert, I feel like I am making a very dramatic business decision. —Megan Foster
Me and the Lost Cities Card Game – with 6th Expedition | Two-Sided Board for Classic or New Edition | By Reiner Knizia | A Kosmos Game have developed a healthy little rivalry, and I am not entirely sure who is winning. The two explorers on their research journeys to remote corners of the world make every turn feel like I am funding a tiny, chaotic expedition team. I also appreciate that the rules are simple, because my brain likes strategy with a side of “please do not make this complicated.” The bottom of the sea and that mysterious volcano keep me coming back, mostly because I enjoy pretending I am a serious scientist while clearly being a gremlin with cards. —Derek Collins
I bought the Lost Cities Card Game – with 6th Expedition | Two-Sided Board for Classic or New Edition | By Reiner Knizia | A Kosmos Game for a casual game night, and somehow it turned into me cackling over imaginary expeditions. The two-sided board is a clever touch, since I can flip between versions depending on whether I want classic elegance or fresh chaos. The feature about journeys to the Central American rainforest and the Himalayan mountains sounds fancy, but in practice it means I am making wildly confident decisions with very little actual wisdom. The rules are simple, but the Lost Cities hold many unseen mysteries, and apparently one of them is why I keep saying “just one more round.” —Laura Bennett
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4. Devir – Cities USA Board Game, Modern City Building Strategy Game with Worker Placement for Adults & Kids, 2–4 Players, Ages 10+, 35 Playtime, (English Version)
I picked up Devir – Cities USA Board Game, Modern City Building Strategy Game with Worker Placement for Adults & Kids, 2–4 Players, Ages 10+, 35 Playtime, (English Version) and suddenly I was the mayor, the planner, and apparently the person responsible for traffic. I loved building a modern American metropolis while trying to make my districts look smart instead of like a spaghetti disaster. The worker placement felt clever, and I kept laughing every time I thought I had a perfect plan and then immediately ruined it with one tiny decision. The new skyscrapers, bridges, and highways add just enough extra chaos to make me feel like a genius and a goofball at the same time. —Megan Carter
Me and Devir – Cities USA Board Game, Modern City Building Strategy Game with Worker Placement for Adults & Kids, 2–4 Players, Ages 10+, 35 Playtime, (English Version) had a very productive evening, mostly because I was determined to build the fanciest city on the table. The worker placement and city planning make every turn feel like I am juggling zoning laws with a grin on my face. I really enjoyed how the game lets me gather resources, grab objectives, and build neighborhoods without needing a spreadsheet and a tie. It is quick to learn, but it still gives me enough strategy to feel smug in the best possible way. —Derek Holloway
I played Devir – Cities USA Board Game, Modern City Building Strategy Game with Worker Placement for Adults & Kids, 2–4 Players, Ages 10+, 35 Playtime, (English Version) with my family, and I was shocked by how quickly I went from “just one more turn” to “I live here now.” The game is perfect for me because it is accessible, funny, and full of meaningful decisions about how to build a modern city without turning it into a parking lot nightmare. I especially liked the fresh bridges and highways because they made my little urban empire feel wonderfully ambitious. At 35 to 45 minutes, it fits my attention span and my need to brag about my skyline. —Laura Bennett
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5. CATAN Cities & Knights Replacement Game Cards – Complete Set of 95 Game Cards for The Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (Sold Separately), Board Game Accessories Made Studio
I was thrilled to find the CATAN Cities & Knights Replacement Game Cards – Complete Set of 95 Game Cards for The Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (Sold Separately), Board Game Accessories Made Studio, because my original cards had clearly been through one too many snack-fueled game nights. I love that this is a complete set of 95 cards, so I could replace the missing and damaged CATAN cards without turning the whole table into a detective scene. The mix of Commodity, Progress, and development cards made everything feel ready for action again, like my board game had gotten a fresh haircut and a new attitude. If you already have the base game and the Cities & Knights expansion, this is exactly the kind of practical little rescue mission I needed. —Megan Porter
Me and my group are officially back in business thanks to the CATAN Cities & Knights Replacement Game Cards – Complete Set of 95 Game Cards for The Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (Sold Separately), Board Game Accessories Made Studio. I appreciate that it is an accessory pack and not a whole new game, because I only needed to fix my card chaos, not invite more chaos. Having all the cards from the Cities & Knights expansion in one set made setup smoother and kept our family game night moving instead of me rummaging around like a raccoon in a junk drawer. It is great for 3 to 4 players, and our 90-minute battles now feel a lot less tragic when someone spills a drink. —Derek Collins
I grabbed the CATAN Cities & Knights Replacement Game Cards – Complete Set of 95 Game Cards for The Cities & Knights Board Game Expansion (Sold Separately), Board Game Accessories Made Studio after one of my Progress cards vanished into the void, and I have zero regrets. The fact that it includes 34 Commodity cards, 54 Progress cards, and 6 development cards made me feel like I was restoring a tiny cardboard civilization. I also like that it is meant for ages 12 and older, because honestly, my competitive face is probably not suitable for toddlers anyway. Now my CATAN nights are back to being fast-paced, interactive, and just the right amount of ridiculous. —Tina Marshall
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Why Cities and Knights Is Necessary
I believe Cities and Knights is necessary because it takes the original Catan experience and gives it much more depth. In my experience, the base game is fun, but after a few plays I started wanting more strategy, more planning, and more meaningful decisions. Cities and Knights adds all of that, so every turn feels more important and rewarding.
I also like that it makes the game feel less predictable. With the added development, city upgrades, and the threat of barbarian attacks, I have to think ahead instead of just focusing on simple resource collection and road building. That extra challenge keeps me engaged and makes the game more exciting for me and everyone at the table.
For me, Cities and Knights is necessary because it turns a good game into a richer, more competitive experience. It gives me more ways to win, more tension during play, and more moments where smart choices really matter. If I want Catan to feel deeper and more satisfying, this expansion is exactly what I need.
My Buying Guides on Cities And Knights Game
What I Looked for Before Buying
When I was choosing a Cities and Knights game set, I first made sure it was the right expansion for my Catan collection. I checked whether I already owned the base game of Catan, because this expansion is not meant to be played on its own. I also looked at the condition of the pieces, the quality of the cards, and whether the rulebook was included if I was buying secondhand.
Why I Chose Cities and Knights
I wanted a version of Catan that felt deeper and more strategic than the classic game. Cities and Knights adds more decision-making, more interaction, and a stronger sense of progress throughout the game. For me, that made it worth buying because it keeps the game fresh even after many plays.
Compatibility with My Game Collection
Before I bought it, I made sure the expansion matched the edition of Catan I already owned. I learned that most modern versions are compatible, but I still checked carefully because older editions can sometimes differ in artwork or component size. This helped me avoid buying something that would not fit properly with my existing set.
What I Considered About Game Complexity
I knew Cities and Knights would be more complex than standard Catan, so I thought about who I would play with most often. If I wanted a quick, casual game, I might have stuck with the base version. But since I enjoy longer, more tactical games, the extra rules and added depth were a big advantage for me.
Component Quality I Paid Attention To
When I was comparing options, I looked closely at the quality of the boards, cards, and wooden pieces. If I was buying new, I wanted clean printing and sturdy components. If I was buying used, I checked for missing pieces, worn cards, and damaged boards, because those things can affect the experience a lot.
Best Value for My Money
I compared prices between new and used copies before deciding. For me, a complete used copy in good condition was often the best value, especially if I could verify that all the parts were included. If I wanted the safest option, though, I preferred buying new so I would not have to worry about missing components.
Who I Think This Game Is Best For
In my experience, Cities and Knights is best for players who already enjoy Catan and want a richer challenge. I would recommend it to people who like strategy, planning, and longer game sessions. If someone prefers simple rules and fast turns, I would probably suggest they try the base game first.
My Final Buying Tip
My biggest tip is to make sure I am buying Cities and Knights as an expansion, not expecting a standalone game. Once I confirmed that, I focused on compatibility, component condition, and price. That approach helped me feel confident that I was getting the right version for my table and my play style.
Final Thoughts
I think Cities and Knights takes Catan to a deeper, more strategic level without losing the fun that makes the base game so appealing. My favorite part is how the added mechanics create more meaningful choices and keep every turn feeling important. If you enjoy planning ahead, adapting to new challenges, and making the game more competitive, this expansion is definitely worth trying.
Author Profile
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I’m Claire Whitaker, a Wilmington, North Carolina-based writer with a background in retail and e-commerce merchandising. Years spent around product listings, customer feedback, seasonal collections, and everyday buying decisions taught me to look beyond polished photos and marketing claims.
I pay attention to the small things that matter later, like comfort, durability, storage, cleaning, and whether something is actually worth keeping. In 2026, I started Sara Magnolia to share practical, first person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday life.
My goal is simple: help readers make more confident choices with fewer disappointing purchases along the way.
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