Has there been a nerdy board game more beloved or renowned than Catan? When asked about their favorite tabletop adventure, most denizens of fandom lands will conjure up the image of Catan’s iconic hexagonal board and pieces in their mind’s eye. And so it is both totally incredible and not at all surprising that Catan is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Yes, Catan, originally known as Settlers of Catan, came to life in Germany in 1995 and then spent the ensuing 30 years becoming a worldwide hit. To celebrate 30 years of Catan (the name of the game changed during its 25th anniversary), a 6th edition of the board game will hit our shelves and tables. 30 years later, we find Catan new, improved, and somehow cheaper. What’s not to love?
A description of Catan‘s 6th edition reveals to us what updates and changes we’ll find in the latest iteration of the beloved game. It shares, “While CATAN’s 6th edition maintains its essential mechanics, many of the game’s creative components have been re-envisioned to provide additional ease and functionality. The game’s rulebook now features more imagery, and easy graphic examples that simplify the learning process. The game also features revamped art, from updated packaging to enhanced game components. The new premium square format box is finished with updated lid art, which paints a richer picture of the settings, immersing the player in the adventure they are about to embark on.”
We love the promise of an even more visual and immersive Catan game. (And we can’t wait to get our hands on those good-looking terrain tiles. The 6th edition of Catan will cost $49.99. (Which is $5 dollars cheaper than the current going rate.) We love a deal and a steal.
In addition to the main game’s 6th edition, other popular expansions will release in 2025. These include Seafarers, Cities & Knight, Traders & Barbarians, and Explorers & Pirates. Additionally, 5-6 player extensions for all these games will become available. (Catan typically plays 2-4.)
The Catan Seafarers Expansion: 6th Edition “adds ships, the pirate, new gold hex fields, building wonders, and more” and additionally features 30 hexes, 6 frame pieces, 10 number discs, 94 tokens, 19 Scenario markers, 10 port tokens, 4 player aids, 60 ships, 1 pirate, 5 Wonders of Catan tiles
Meanwhile, the Catan Cities & Knights Expansion: 6th Edition adds “adds knights, barbarian attacks, metropolises, and advancing science, technology, and politics” to the game. It additionally includes 90 cards, 1 event die, 3 metropolis pieces, 1 merchant figure, 36 player pieces, 4 city improvement boards, 12 city improvement cubes, 1 barbarian track, 6 VP tokens, 1 barbarian ship, 2 card trays, and 4 player aids.
You can pre-order the 6th edition of Catan base game, alongside Seafarers and Cities & Knights today.
So go ahead, settle into your seat, and get ready to build, expand, trade, and more as your board joins the 45 million Catan games sold across the world. Catan 6th edition, here we come.
