Catan: Complete Guide 2026 — Editions, Expansions and Which One to Buy First
If you could only have one board game at home and wanted almost everybody to enjoy it, that game would probably be Catan. Since it first appeared in 1995 (back then as "The Settlers of Catan"), it has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and has become the title that introduces more people than any other to modern board games. In our toy shop we see it every week: someone comes in looking for "that game with the islands and the sheep" as a gift, and leaves with a new hobby for the whole family.
See Catan and its expansions in the shop
But when you start looking into the world of Catan, the confusion begins: there is a base version, one for children, one for two players, one for large groups and a lot of expansions with similar names. Which one do you buy first? What do you need to get started? Do the expansions work without the base game?
In this guide we explain it as we would at the counter: what Catan is, how it is played, which edition suits you and what each expansion is for. Every example is a copy we have in real stock at Híper Ocio, published in Spanish by Devir. Let's get started.
What is Catan and why has it been the king for almost 30 years?
Catan is a strategy and negotiation game for 3 or 4 players (expandable to 6) in which each participant colonises an island by building settlements, cities and roads. The board is put together from hexagons that represent types of land (forest, pasture, hills, mountains and fields), and each one produces a resource: wood, wool, clay, ore and wheat.
The appeal is that the board changes every game, so you never play the same game twice. And above all, that you have to trade with the others: if you are short of wood and your neighbour has some to spare, it is time to negotiate. That social side is what hooks people and why it works just as well with the family as with a group of friends.
Its three keys as a game "for everyone":
- Easy to learn, hard to master. The basic rules can be explained in ten minutes, but the strategy goes on for years.
- Huge replay value. The modular board and the expansions make every game different.
- Wide age range. From 6 years old with the Junior version to adult games that grow longer with the more tactical expansions.
How to play Catan (the essentials)
On each turn two dice are rolled: the total shows which hexagons produce resources that turn, and whoever has a settlement or city next to that land receives them. With those resources you build: a road costs wood and clay, a settlement adds wool and wheat, and a city (an upgrade of a settlement) needs ore and wheat. Each settlement is worth one point and each city two.
The first player to reach 10 victory points wins. You earn them by building, buying development cards and winning bonuses such as the "longest road" or the "largest army". Along the way the robber appears (when a 7 is rolled), blocking land and forcing players to give up cards: that is where the tension starts. It is a game about building, trading and annoying whoever is winning, just a little.
Which edition of Catan to buy depending on who you play with
This is the point where most people go wrong. There is no "best Catan": there is the one that suits your table. Here is the breakdown.
To start from scratch: the base Catan
If this is your first Catan, the Devir base game (€42.99) is the essential purchase. It includes everything needed for 3-4 players aged 10 and over, and it is the box on which all the expansions are built. Keep it simple: start here and add more later.
For children: Catan Junior
Do you want to introduce the little ones before they are 10? Catan Junior (€28.99) is a pirate edition designed for children from 6 years old: the same ideas (building, collecting, trading) but with simplified rules and a pirate theme that is far more appealing to them. It is also a trilingual edition. It is our top recommendation for families with children.
For two players: Catan Duel
The base Catan needs at least 3 players, so for couples or for playing as a pair there is Catan Duel (€24.99), a standalone card game designed specifically for 1 v 1 games. It is not an expansion: it is a complete game in its own right. Ideal if there are two of you at home and you want the Catan experience without needing more people.
For large groups: the 5-6 player expansion
If you are a big family or a large group of friends, the 5-6 player expansion (€24.99) adds two more settlers to the game. Note: this box does not work on its own; it needs the base game. It is the typical add-on for when Catan gets too small for family gatherings.
The Catan expansions, explained without the fuss
Here is the big misunderstanding: almost all the "big" Catan expansions require the base game to be played. They are layers that add new rules and themes once you have mastered the basics. These are the main ones we have:
- Catan Seafarers (€42.99). Adds ships and sea exploration: the island now grows with new islands to discover. The classic expansion and usually the first one people want.
- Catan Traders & Barbarians (€41.99). A pack of several scenarios and variants; probably the most versatile because it brings a lot of different content in a single box.
- Catan Explorers & Pirates (€42.99). Raises the ambition with missions, naval combat and defence against barbarians. For those who want more epic, longer games.
- Catan Cities & Knights 5-6 players (€23.99). An add-on to take the demanding Cities & Knights expansion up to six players.
- Catan Energies (€54.99). The most modern twist: it brings the impact of energy and sustainable development to the island. A current theme with fresh mechanics.
A golden rule to avoid mistakes when buying an expansion: always check whether it is standalone (like the Duel) or whether it needs the base game (like Seafarers or Energies). If you are unsure, ask us before you buy and we will confirm it for you.
More of the Catan universe: it is not all about the big game
The world of Catan has extended into other, lighter formats, perfect as a small gift or for travelling:
- Dobble Catan (€15.99). The popular observation and speed game from Asmodee, set in the Catan universe. Very quick to learn and for all ages.
- Catan Logic Puzzles (€29.99). A puzzle-style logic game for one player from 8 years old. Ideal for training your brain without needing company.
- Catan Duel – Dark Ages, Golden Ages (€20.99). Expansion for Catan Duel, for those who already play as a pair and want more cards and depth.
Tips for choosing and giving Catan
- Always start with the base game. It is the essential box; without it, most expansions do not work.
- Think about how many of you there are. If there are two, the Duel; if there are five or six, base game plus the 5-6 expansion; if there are young children, the Junior.
- Do not jump into the expansions on day one. Play a few games of the base game and, when it feels too short, decide which layer to add. Seafarers or Traders & Barbarians are the usual first steps.
- As a safe gift, the base game or the Junior. They are the ones that guarantee you can play the same day without depending on another box.
- For larger amounts, financing is available. If you put together a bundle of the base game plus several expansions, you can pay in instalments with Klarna.
Why buy your Catan at Híper Ocio
Let's be clear: Catan is sold in plenty of places and the box is the same in all of them. What changes is who you ask when you have questions. Híper Ocio is a family shop in Albox (Almería), founded in 1923, now in its fourth generation with Antonio Martínez Rosado at the helm, and we are an official retailer of brands such as Devir and Asmodee, the publishers of the Catan universe in Spain.
What do you get out of that? If you arrive confused by so many expansions, we will tell you plainly which one you need and which one you can skip. We are not going to sell you the €55 box if the base game and a €25 expansion will keep you going for years. We would rather you got it right and came back.
On the practical side: board games come with free delivery across Spain on orders over €49.99 (with a reduced charge below that amount), so a base game plus one expansion usually ships free anywhere in Spain. If you prefer to see it in person, we are at Avenida 28 de Febrero s/n in Albox. Returns are accepted within 30 days under our returns policy, and for any question you can write to us on WhatsApp at 623 04 44 20.
Frequently asked questions about Catan
Which Catan should I buy first?
The Catan base game. It is the essential box for 3-4 players aged 10 and over and the foundation on which almost all the expansions are built. If there are young children, start with Catan Junior; if there are just two of you, with Catan Duel.
Do Catan expansions work without the base game?
Most do not. Expansions such as Seafarers, Traders & Barbarians, Explorers & Pirates or Energies need the base game in order to be played. The exceptions are standalone games such as Catan Junior or Catan Duel, which are complete boxes in their own right.
From what age can you play Catan?
The base Catan is recommended from 10 years old. For younger children there is Catan Junior, playable from 6 years old with simplified rules and a pirate theme.
How many players does Catan take?
The base game is for 3-4 players. With the 5-6 player expansion it extends to six. And for games of two there is Catan Duel, designed specifically for 1 v 1.
How much does Catan cost?
The base game costs around €42.99. Catan Junior is about €28.99 and Catan Duel about €24.99. The expansions range between €20 and €55 depending on the content. There are options for every budget.
Do you ship Catan across Spain?
Yes. Board games are delivered across Spain, free on orders over €49.99. You can also collect your order from our shop in Albox.
