This Settlers of Catan expansion offers a more in-depth, strategic game which is great if you have been playing Catan for a while and are looking for a more involved and challenging game.

Cities and knights builds upon the base Settlers of Catan game with emphasis on city development and the use of knights. Catan Knights (3 types of varying strengths) are used to displace opponents knights, help opponents (and yourself) defend Catan against the Barbarian army and... they can also be used to chase the robber away!

Other changes include: Progress cards of trade, politics and science replace the development cards; city walls; barbarian tile and ship and 3 new commodities - cloth, coin and paper; a metropolises which is a city improvement.

The progress cards themselves add a great level of exciting gameplay with cards such as 'Mining', 'Irrigation', or 'Building Crane' allow for faster settlement activities. The 'Merchant', 'Merchant Fleet', 'Trade Monopoly', or 'Resource Monopoly' create advantages with regards to trade. You also have the chance to upset leading players with cards such as the 'Deserter', 'Spy', or 'Diplomat'.

Cities & Knights can also be combined with the Settlers of Catan Seafarers expansion or with Traders & Barbarians scenarios.

This 5th Edition is best combined with the 5th Edition of the Catan base game but changes are largely cosmetic so it can be combined with Catan Edition 4 if required.

Not a complete game. To play this expansion you require:

1. Catan base game

To play this expansion with 5-6 players you require:

1. Catan base game

2. Catan 5-6 Player extension

3. Catan Cities and Knights expansion (current game)

4. Catan Cities and Knights 5-6 player extension