CATAN expansions
Seafarers vs Explorers & Pirates
| Question | Seafarers | Explorers & Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Our label | Buy this first | Depends on your group |
| Buy order | #1 for CATAN | #4 for CATAN |
| What it adds | Ships, a pirate, gold fields, new islands to settle and a campaign of nine map setups. | Ships that move freely, hidden islands, and missions: fight pirate lairs, haul fish, and trade spices. |
| What it fixes | Long-time players find the same board stale; adds sea exploration. | Open sandbox play feels aimless; adds missions, exploring and pirates. |
| Type | Expansion | Expansion |
| Players | 3–4 players | 2–4 players |
| Rules load | About the same rules load | Adds more rules |
| Best for | Best for casual groups | Fine for any group |
| What you need | Just the base game | Just the base game |
| Price guide | $40–$60 | $60–$100 |
| More | Seafarers details | Explorers & Pirates details |