As you play more ofCatan, you will soon start to venture into the world of extra scenarios, which all add extra content and change the game. Whether you want a dramatically different experience or just a slight change of pace, the many extra scenario packs you may buy will provide you with what you need.
Note that we have done our best to gather all the currently availableCatanscenarios that you can buy, either from the publishers themselves or by other means. This may not be a comprehensive list, but if a scenario is not commercially available anywhere, it won’t be fair to rank it.
Table of contents
1. Treasures, Dragons, and Adventurers
This colossal scenario expansion forCatanrequires both theSeafarersandCities and Knightsexpansions to be played. Despite the huge financial investment that this scenario extension requires,Treasures, Dragons, and Adventurersis the greatest one going, and not just for the dragons.
SeafarersandCities and Knightsare good expansions in their own right, although the latter has some pain points that players aren’t too keen on. However, the six scenarios in this extension not only bridge the gap perfectly between the two expansions but highlight their greatest qualities.
Some expansions allow players to explore mystical and enchanting islands in search of treasure, whereas others will have you fleeing from and then fighting mighty dragons. With so much on offer here, and with so many great mechanics that makeCatanfeel like a much larger adventure,Treasures, Dragons, and Adventurersprovides an awesomeCatanexperience.
If you have both expansions already and are in the market for a scenario extension, look no further.
2. Legend of the Conquerors
Catan Legend of the Conquerorsadds three new scenarios for theCities and Knightsexpansion that are to be played one after another to form a campaign that tells the story of Catan’s struggle against the invaders.
With new catapults and cavalry to reinforce your knights, you will be waging war against the invaders like never before through the three scenarios. Although each can be played independently, you and your friends can embark on an interesting story. Each scenario will contribute to a player’s success whether they win or lose, and after each game is finished, an ultimate winner will be established.
AlthoughCities and Knightsgets a bad rep for straying too far fromCatan, this scenario extension leans into the war game adaption ofCatanto create fantastic scenarios of militarisation alongside the settling. The barbarians have been transformed from a nuisance to a fully-fledged invasion force that is both interesting to play with and intimidating to play against.
If you enjoyedCities and Knights, then this scenario extension is for you.
3. Crop Trust
Crop Trustis a brilliant expansion that adds a new layer of complexity toCatanwhilst keeping it fundamentally the same experience. The only wrinkle thatCrop Trustadds is the consequence of your merciless colonialism.
Fields are now in play, and each has a variety of crops in them. As settlements get built and throughout the game, these crops will be harvested or destroyed. It’s up to all the players to make sure that the seeds of these crops are preserved to keep the plants in play as they get removed.
With many ecological disasters coming into play withCrop Trust, you’ll have to be extra careful of your actions throughout the game. If your thoughtlessness leads to ecological collapse, all the players will lose.
4. Legend of the Sea Robbers
Catan Legend of the Sea Robbersadds another four scenarios to theSeafarersexpansion, making that simple expansion much more interesting. The four scenarios can be played standalone, although they can be strung together to form a campaign where the player with the most combined Legend Points will win.
Although the campaign does offer a story, it’s a relatively weak one that will largely be ignored. It does add some extra flavor but doesn’t make the experience any more exciting. The scenarios play well as a campaign and there are some legacy-esque ideas that allow players to keep benefits persisting through scenarios.
The scenarios ofLegend of the Sea Robbersare pretty solid, although they aren’t the most exciting scenarios out there. If you really enjoy sailing inCatanand don’t wish to play anyExplorers and Piratesscenarios, thenLegend of the Sea Robberswill be for you.
5. Soccer Fever
Soccer Fevermay not be very on-brand forCatan, but it provides a light addition that allows you and your opponents to play soccer to advance the league and earn extra points and rewards.
Two tiles now become soccer fields, and upon any settlement being built, it’s match day. Players will be placing “shot tokens” on the fields throughout the game, which dictates how many opportunities they will have to score. Using a clever soccer ball-shaped “dice,” you can roll away to score goals and win points in the league.
At the end of the game, any remaining matches must be played, allowing for last-minute changes in the points. Interestingly,Cataninvites you to create your own rules for how goals are scored with the soccer ball, allowing you to add a dexterity component to the game. It’s light and adds something new, but it’s not very on-theme and hardly makes the game itself more interesting.
6. The Helpers
Catan The Helpersadds a slew of characters which will allow players to perform extra actions. Each game will be different as the helpers are randomly assigned, and some are out of play, meaning this tableau of actions will allow for different strategies and opportunities with every game.
Upon using your helper for an action at the specified time, you will either exchange the helper for another from the shared shelf of spare helpers or you will turn it over, allowing you to use it one more time before an exchange.
For those only looking to modify theirCatangames a little, thenThe Helpersis a perfect choice. It’s incredibly unobtrusive and only allows you to do things that the base game already supports. For the least impactful and least interesting scenario, you’re able to’t go wrong withThe Helpers.
And that’s all of the currently availableCatanscenarios. Over the years, however, there have been other scenarios that have since been discontinued.
All other Catan scenarios
For any completionists out there, I thought to include a list of all other Catan scenarios that have since been discontinued. You can only purchase these scenarios from second-hand sellers, unfortunately, or they can be borrowed or played with by others if they have them.
Here is a list of the other discontinued fiveCatanscenarios:
It is unclear why these scenarios have been discontinued, but it’s likely we won’t see them again.
With all of these greatCatanscenarios and scenario extensions, you can hunt down the next best addition to yourCatancollection.
