The new 3D set for 2021 is growing on me. I still think the border is a great improvement on the 2005 set, but I am also starting to appreciate the hex size being standardised with the flat game.
However the major failing of the new set for me was the lack of CIties & Knights. This made it a poor cousin to the original 2005 game that had this included.
BUT ALL IS NOT LOST.... as C&K can be easily added using the European/Kosmos version of the game.
The components needed are shown below. All the plastic peices (knights, city walls, metrpolis) are from a German "Stadte & Ritter" set. The full parts shown are:
- set of knights, city walls and metropolises from a 2015 German Stadte & Ritter set. I have black washed them to give a similar effect as the new 3D set. In this first go I used a grey that is too light so will make a second set with a darker wash.
- set of Cities & Knights replacement cards. Still available and good value even to replace worn cards in standard sets.
- a promotional "Teuber's Robber" from 1997. A bit hard to find now but these three guys deserves to be used in a set rather than just sit in a drawer. The standard robber from a European set works just as well and could be handpainted.
- a Merchant from the 2005 Catan 3D set. Left over from an incomplete 3D set I bought to make my 5/6/7 player add-on to the original 2005 set.
- a Barbarian Ship from a recent Kosmos set - comes in two pieces and looks great. You also find them in grey.
- City calendars (only 2 shown) and Barbarian counter sheet from 2005 Catan 3D set. Leftovers similar to the merchant
I do not know if Catan will ever release an official C&K set for the 2021 3D set but it is a very simple thing to make for anyone if they do not.
If I can answer any questions, or offer any help to someone wanting to do this, please feel free to email.
Components for C&K