Cities And Knights is an expansion for Catan that adds new layers of planning, defense, and resource usage. In this version, players continue to build settlements and roads, but the role of cities becomes much more important. Cities now produce additional resource types called commodities, which are essential for city development. At the same time, players must manage a growing threat from barbarian forces that can destroy unprotected cities. The game introduces new mechanics that increase the level of decision-making while keeping the base game’s structure intact.
Commodities and Progress Tracks
Instead of producing only standard resources, cities now generate commodities based on terrain type. These include paper from forests, cloth from pastures, and coin from mountains. Commodities are used to purchase city upgrades in one of three categories: science, trade, and politics. As players invest in these areas, they gain progress cards that provide unique actions and advantages. Reaching higher levels in each category may also allow a player to claim a metropolis—a fortified city worth four points that cannot be lost to barbarians.
Military System and Knight Usage
A new military component is introduced through knights. Players can deploy, activate, and promote knights to protect the island. Each round, an event die is rolled which may move the barbarian ship closer to Catan. Once the ship arrives, all active knights are compared to the number of cities on the board. If the collective defense is not strong enough, the player with the weakest contribution loses a city. If the island is successfully defended, the player who contributed the most gains a reward card.
Core Additions in Cities And Knights
The expansion brings several changes that shift how the game is played:
• Commodities are added as new resource types for development
• Knights must be strategically placed and maintained
• Progress cards replace traditional development cards
• Metropolises add significant value and protection
• The barbarian threat affects the entire board, not just individual players
These systems increase complexity and require players to balance multiple goals.
Strategic Considerations and Player Roles
Cities And Knights encourages players to take on different roles throughout the game. One player may focus on upgrading cities and racing for metropolises, while another might control the strongest knight force. The shared threat of barbarians introduces semi-cooperative moments where players must prepare together to avoid penalties. However, individual strategy still determines who wins. The game rewards flexibility, as players often shift focus between development, defense, and expansion depending on how the game unfolds.
Cities And Knights enhances the base game by introducing structured upgrades, shared challenges, and long-term planning. It offers a deeper experience for players looking for more involvement per turn, while still preserving the core ideas of trading and resource gathering. Each part of the game—from city building to military organization—now plays a direct role in the race for victory.
