Question 1

Better in the opinion of those experienced, Seafarers or Cities & Knights?

Accepted Answer

My wife and I always enjoy a good Catan gathering.  We have the whole collection of base games with their 5-6 player extensions and while I highly recommend getting BOTH, here is what we found about Seafarers vs C&K:

Seafarers is enjoyed most by "right brain" players whose talents are more on the creative side of things.  Not often is your initial strategy followed through by the end game.  Seafarers features some large maps that rewards travel and improvisation; where you place your first settlements isn't as important as how well you branch out and avoid the pirate.

Cities and Knights is enjoyed most by "left brain" players whose talents are analytical and strategic.  Where you place your first settlement and first city greatly influences the rest of the game.  C&K is played on the smaller standard island and rewards those who plan ahead.  Matches are more confrontational, and a player who changes their strategy mid-game rarely wins.

Both Seafarers and C&K feel "very Catan," so if you like the original you really can't go wrong with either.  I like C&K more, but barely.  However I recommend choosing first Seafarers if you're coming from the original.   Interestingly both rules manuals show how to combine it all together!

As for the 5-6 extensions:  Seafarers is definitely better.  The maps are something to behold :) just be sure to have a lot of table space!  C&K is already a long game, so having 6 people really drew things out to the point where the game wore out it's welcome.

Question 2

Do you need the 3/4 player extension to play this 5/6 player extension?

Accepted Answer

You need the basic catan game,  plus the seafarers "expansion"  which would allow you to play seafarers with 3-4 people,  and then the seafarers 5-6 player "extension" will allow you to play seafarers with 5-6 people.   The simple answer to your question might be "yes", but not sure because of catan's somewhat confusing names for things.  Either way,  seafarers is fun,  and we have often found 5-6 player games more fun than 3-4 player games in the catan world. We like them all though.

Question 3

do the tiles fit and look like they can match with the 4th edition tiles?  i know the look of each edition has varied greatly until now.

Accepted Answer

Peter,Thank you for your inquiry!For these versions there will be slight differences in appearance but for the Seafarer's Settlers gameplay is not affected between the 3rd and 4th editions. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any more questions. Thank you for your time. Have a great day!

Question 4

I have the catan 5th edition base game & 5-6 player expansion. look to buy seafares game expansion, do i need 5-6 seafares expansion also?

Accepted Answer

Only if you want to play with 5 or 6 players.  The Seafarers Expansion supports 3 or 4 players.

ASIN	B00U26V4S4
Age Range Description	10 years +
Are Batteries Required	No
Best Sellers Rank	67,945 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) 1,490 in Board Games (Toys & Games)
Brand Name	CATAN
CPSIA Cautionary Statement	Choking Hazard - Small Parts, No Warning Applicable
Colour	Multicolor
Customer Package Type	Standard Packaging
Customer Reviews	4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (6,053)
Edition	Standard Edition
Educational Objective	Develop strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and understanding of resource management and systems.
Estimated Playing Time	60 Minutes
Expansion For	CATAN
Game Mechanics	resource management
Genre	Boardgames
Global Trade Identification Number	00029877030736
Included Components	60 wooden ships, 1 pirate ship, 50 CATAN chips, 10 number markers, 10 port markers, colour rules & scenarios, 6 frame parts, 19 sea witches, 11 unique terrain plates
Indoor Outdoor Usage	Indoor
Is Assembly Required	No
Item Dimensions	29.5 x 24.1 x 7.6 centimetres
Item Dimensions L x W	29.2L x 7.6W centimetres
Item Part Number	MFG3073
Item Type Name	Catan Seafarers Expansion
Item Weight	975 g
Language	English
Manufacturer	Mayfair Games
Manufacturer Part Number	CN3073
Manufacturer recommended age	10 years and up
Material Type	Paper
Minimum Age Recomendation	120
Model Number	CN3073
Number of Items	1
Number of Packs	1
Number of Players	4
Operation Mode	Manual
Rulebook Availability	Printed Included
Set Name	Seafarers
Size	3-4 Player Expansion
Special Features	Seafaring and Exploration Expansion
Subject Character	Catan Seafarers
Supported Battery Types	No batteries required
Theme	Seafaring
UPC	781624739117 029877030736
Unit Count	1.0 count

CATAN Seafarers, Board Game EXPANSION, Ages 10+, 3-4 Players, 90 Minutes Minutes Playing Time

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