Top 6 Best Catan Board Games You Must Play

By: Blaze Aldrich | May 8th, 2025

Ranking the Catan Games: From Classic to Epic Conquests

Catan Board Game, the iconic board game that revolutionized modern tabletop gaming, has evolved far beyond its 1995 origins. With its blend of resource management, strategic planning, and cutthroat negotiation, the Catan universe now spans expansions, standalone variants, and even premium editions. In this blog, we rank six key Catan games based on gameplay depth, thematic immersion, replayability, and overall fun. From the foundational classic to a Roman conquest, here’s how they stack up.

6. Catan Base Game

The Catan Base Game is where it all began. Players settle the island of Catan, trading resources (wood, brick, wheat, sheep, and ore) to build settlements, roads, and cities while fighting for victory points. Its genius lies in its accessibility: simple rules, dynamic trading, and just enough luck to keep things unpredictable. The “Longest Road” and “Largest Army” bonuses add spice, but the heart of the game is in the banter and betrayal at the table.

That said, the base game shows its age. Dice rolls can make or break your game, especially if your settlements are on low-probability hexes. Early placement is critical, and a bad start can leave you sidelined. Without expansions, replayability wanes as strategies become predictable. It’s a timeless gateway to board gaming but lacks the depth of later iterations.

Why it ranks here: The Catan Base Game is a foundational classic that started the whole worker placement mechanic.

5. Catan: New Energies

Catan: New Energies reimagines the Catan formula with a bold environmental twist. Players still build settlements and gather resources, but now they must balance development with sustainability. The game introduces power plants, renewable energy tech, and pollution mechanics. Overusing fossil fuels can trigger penalties like reduced production or lost points, while green investments offer long-term rewards. Events and player choices shape the island’s ecological fate, adding a cooperative undertone to the competition.

New Energies shines in its thematic relevance and strategic depth. It forces players to weigh short-term gains against long-term consequences, making every decision feel weighty. Trading remains central, but now includes deals over energy tech or cleanup efforts. However, the added complexity can overwhelm new players, and the eco-conscious theme might not click for everyone. It’s a refreshing evolution but doesn’t quite match the polish of higher-ranked entries.

Why it ranks here: New Energies modernizes Catan with a thought-provoking theme and deeper strategy.

4. Catan: Seafarers

Catan: Seafarers expands the base game by taking players to the high seas. This expansion introduces ships, islands, and new scenarios, allowing for varied board setups like archipelagos or trade routes. Players can now build shipping lanes to connect islands, explore for new settlements, or chase the “Pirate” mechanic for bonuses. The core resource trading gameplay remains, but the addition of gold (a wild resource) and scenario specific objectives adds flexibility and replayability.

Seafarers strikes a great balance between familiarity and innovation. The expanded map and modular scenarios keep games fresh, while the ship building mechanic adds a new layer of strategy without overcomplicating things. However, some scenarios feel unbalanced, and the reliance on the base game’s dice rolling luck can still frustrate. It’s a fantastic step up but lacks the thematic cohesion of later entries.

Why it ranks here: Seafarers enhances the base game with exciting new mechanics and variety.

3. A Game of Thrones: Catan – Brotherhood of the Watch

A Game of Thrones: Catan merges the Catan system with the gritty world of Westeros. Players take on the role of the Night’s Watch, building settlements along the Wall while defending against wildling invasions. The game retains core Catan mechanics, resource gathering, trading, and building but adds a thematic layer with hero cards (like Jon Snow or Samwell Tarly) and a wildling threat mechanic. If players fail to cooperate against the wildlings, everyone risks losing.

The integration of Game of Thrones lore is a standout, with hero abilities and wildling raids adding narrative flair. The semi-cooperative element forces players to balance personal ambition with collective defense, making trades and alliances more tense. However, the game can feel punishing if wildling attacks spiral, and the thematic overlay might not appeal to non-fans. It’s a bold, immersive take that just misses the top tier.

Why it ranks here: A Game of Thrones: Catan delivers a thrilling thematic experience and clever cooperative twists.

2. Catan: Cities & Knights

Catan: Cities & Knights is widely regarded as the definitive Catan expansion. It transforms the base game into a deeper, more strategic experience by introducing knights, city upgrades, and progress cards. Players can now fortify their cities, invest in cultural or scientific advancements, and fend off barbarian invasions. The resource system is expanded with commodities (paper, cloth, and coin), and the barbarian threat adds a semi-cooperative layer.

Cities & Knights excels in its complexity and replayability. The progress tracks offer multiple paths to victory, while knights and barbarians create dynamic tension. Trading remains cutthroat, but the expanded mechanics give players more agency to mitigate bad luck. The downside? The steeper learning curve can intimidate newcomers, and games can run long. Still, it’s a near-perfect evolution of the Catan formula.

Why it ranks here: Cities & Knights adds incredible depth and strategy, making it a favorite for serious players.

1. Catan: Struggle for Rome

Catan: Struggle for Rome takes the top spot as a standalone masterpiece. Set in the declining Roman Empire, players control barbarian tribes vying for territory and glory. The game replaces settlements with mobile armies that conquer cities and collect tribute. Resources fuel army movement and upgrades, while a dual-board system (inner and outer provinces) creates dynamic territorial conflicts. Victory comes from balancing conquest with strategic retreats.

Struggle for Rome feels like Catan evolved into a full-fledged war game. The mobile armies and conquest mechanics add a layer of tactical brilliance, while the tribute system rewards clever positioning. Trading is less central but still impactful, with alliances forming and breaking over shared borders. The game’s historical theme is immersive, and the streamlined rules keep it accessible yet deep. Its only flaw is its departure from classic Catan’s cozy settlement-building vibe, which might alienate purists.

Why it ranks here: Struggle for Rome reimagines Catan as an epic, tactical conquest game. Its innovative mechanics, thematic immersion, and high replayability make it the ultimate Catan experience.

Bonus: Catan 3D

Catan 3D isn’t a new game but a luxurious reimagining of the base game (with optional Seafarers and Cities & Knights components). The stunning 3D terrain tiles, detailed settlements, and tactile components elevate the experience to a visual and sensory spectacle. It’s the same Catan gameplay but feels like playing inside a living diorama.

However, the premium price tag makes it more of a collector’s item than a practical choice for most players. The gameplay doesn’t change, so its ranking depends on your love for aesthetics. For fans, it’s a breathtaking way to experience Catan; for others, it’s a lavish novelty.

Why it’s a bonus: Catan 3D is a gorgeous enhancement for those who really love the Board Game Catan. The deluxe pieces are overboard, but who cares its awesome.

Final Thoughts

The Catan series offers something for everyone, from the accessible charm of the Base Game to the tactical brilliance of Struggle for Rome. Whether you prefer eco-conscious strategy in New Energies, naval exploration in Seafarers, Westeros drama in Game of Thrones, or the deep complexity of Cities & Knights, there’s a Catan game to suit your style. And if you’re a collector, Catan 3D is a showstopper. Which Catan is your favorite? Let us know in the comments, and happy settling!