5 Best Settlers Expansions of 2026

Explosive new life breathes into the Imperial Settlers experience with We Didn’t Start The Fire, a compact yet impactful expansion that redefines mid-game chaos. This isn’t just fluff—players gain access to fire cards that trigger cascading effects, from forced discards to resource denial, injecting a layer of strategic sabotage that rewards foresight and adaptability. For fans who’ve mastered the base game’s rhythm, this expansion introduces welcome tension, turning every card draw into a potential game-warping moment. It directly tackles the common lull in turn-based strategy games by keeping players on edge even during opponents’ turns.

In real-world gameplay, the fire mechanic shines brightest in high-player-count matches (3–4 players), where interaction and unpredictability are maximized. The 60-minute runtime stays tight, but now with more dynamic swings—a single well-timed fire card can dismantle a seemingly dominant engine. While the expansion doesn’t add new civilizations or major mechanics, its focus on disruption and tempo makes it feel fresh without bloating complexity. However, in two-player games, the impact softens; the fire cards feel less urgent, and the experience leans more chaotic than strategic.

Compared to other Imperial Settlers expansions, We Didn’t Start The Fire stands out for its narrative cohesion and mechanical tightness—it doesn’t try to do everything, just one thing very well. It’s the ideal pick for players who love interactive, mind-game-heavy strategy sessions and want to spice up a well-worn favorite. While the Tabletop Monthly Catan expansions offer novelty, this one delivers deeper gameplay evolution—a masterclass in how a small box can punch far above its weight.

Bring festive cheer to your Catan table with the Christmas Town Santa Scenario, a whimsical, holiday-themed expansion that swaps ore for eggnog and settlements for sleighs. This isn’t just cosmetic fluff—the Santa mechanic introduces a roving gift-giver who rewards players for building near snowy hexes, adding a light but engaging objective layer that changes each game. Perfect for seasonal gatherings, it transforms Catan into a story-driven holiday event, solving the common problem of stale holiday game rotations. The included scenario card ensures rules are easy to grasp, making it ideal for mixed-skill groups.

The 3D-printed hex and card deck integrate seamlessly with standard Settlers of Catan and Seafarers setups, though the gameplay impact is light and thematic rather than competitive. The Santa track encourages expansion toward the edges, subtly shifting early-game placement strategy. It’s best enjoyed in a relaxed, family-friendly setting—don’t expect deep strategy, but do expect laughter when someone blocks Santa’s path for maximum coal distribution. That said, repeat playability is limited; once the novelty wears off, it’s unlikely to replace your core expansions.

When stacked against Volcano Hex or Rat Thief, this one leans hardest into fun over function—but that’s its strength. It’s not trying to be a tournament add-on; it’s a stocking stuffer with soul, perfect for players who love themed game nights. While the Personalized Wood Board offers luxury, this delivers seasonal joy at a fraction of the cost, making it the go-to for holiday table variety.

Say goodbye to the boring old robber—Rat Thief injects delightful chaos into Catan with a fully reimagined theft mechanic that’s as strategic as it is silly. Instead of a static bandit, players now contend with a growing rat swarm that can be fed wheat or scared off with stones, turning resource denial into an interactive mini-game. The 6 wooden rat meeples are satisfyingly tactile, and the new decisions—do you feed the swarm to target a leader, or scare it away to protect yourself?—add real depth. It solves the common complaint that the robber feels arbitrary by making it a player-driven engine of mischief.

In practice, the Rat Thief thrives in medium to high-interaction games, where players enjoy psychological warfare and short-term tactics. The swarm grows when wheat is played, creating a self-balancing punishment system that targets aggressive grain users. It integrates flawlessly with Seafarers and Cities & Knights, and the rule sheet is concise—new players grasp it in under two minutes. However, in games with cautious wheat usage, the rat may barely appear, making it feel underutilized. And while it’s hugely entertaining, it doesn’t alter Catan’s core economy, so don’t expect a full overhaul.

Compared to Christmas Town, Rat Thief offers more lasting value—it’s not tied to a season and works in nearly every game. Against the Volcano Hex, it’s more interactive and player-driven, though less visually dramatic. It’s perfect for groups that love playful rivalry and want to keep Catan feeling fresh without learning complex new rules. While the Imperial Settlers expansion goes deeper, this one delivers maximum fun per minute—a must-have for Catan veterans craving mischief.

This isn’t just a game board—it’s a handcrafted heirloom that transforms your Catan setup into a centerpiece of artistic craftsmanship and personal significance. Laser-cut from furniture-grade birch plywood, the Personalized Wood Settler Game Board delivers a luxurious, bespoke experience with customizable engravings, stain options, and even personalized sea frames—perfect for gifting or elevating your game night prestige. For players tired of flimsy cardboard, this solid wood upgrade solves durability and aesthetic issues in one bold stroke, offering a stable, beautiful surface that ages gracefully. The inclusion of a matching shelf rack only deepens the premium feel.

Every inch reflects obsessive attention to detail: the number tokens have alphabetic placement guides, the hexes fit snugly, and the expansion pack seamlessly extends play to 6 players without compromising layout. Real-world use reveals exceptional stability—no warping, no sliding tiles—and the wood’s natural texture reduces glare under lighting. However, the heft and size make it less portable, and setup time increases slightly due to the precision fit. It’s not for casual pick-up games, but for dedicated Catan enthusiasts who treat game night like an event.

Compared to the Volcano Hex or Rat Thief, this isn’t an expansion—it’s a complete ecosystem upgrade. While those add mechanics, this elevates the entire experience. It’s the natural choice for players who value long-term investment and aesthetic excellence over novelty. And while it costs significantly more than other options, it delivers unmatched longevity and personalization, making it the ultimate expression of Catan devotion.

The Volcano Hex Scenario brings apocalyptic drama to Catan with a modular, player-triggered disaster system that turns one hex into a ticking time bomb. Crafted with precision laser-cutting in the USA, these three volcano hexes aren’t just visually striking—they introduce a thematic eruption mechanic where lava spreads after a roll of 7, destroying settlements and reshaping the board. For players bored of static maps, this delivers dynamic terrain evolution, solving the problem of predictable board states and adding a survivalist edge to expansion strategies. It’s not just a new tile—it’s a game-altering event engine.

During testing, the volcano created unforgettable moments: a player’s coastal empire wiped out by a chain reaction of lava flow, or a clever builder using the chaos to claim newly isolated high-number hexes. The mechanic integrates smoothly with Seafarers and Cities & Knights, and the physical quality—aside from minor soot on edges (easily wiped)—is excellent. However, the randomness of eruptions can feel punishing, especially if early settlements are caught off guard. And while it’s thrilling the first few times, the novelty may fade for strategy purists who prefer balanced, skill-based outcomes.

Pitted against Rat Thief or Christmas Town, the Volcano Hex wins on visual impact and board transformation, but loses on replay consistency. It’s ideal for adventure-seeking groups who love cinematic moments and don’t mind a little chaos. While the Personalized Board offers elegance, this delivers raw, immersive excitement—a volcanic upgrade for those who want their Catan to feel like a legend in the making.