The image shows the cover of a board game named "Carcassonne: Inns & Cathedrals" by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, published by Rio Grande Games. It features an illustration of a knight on horseback receiving something from a villager against a background of medieval buildings, with "Expansion: must be played with Carcassonne" written under the title.
| | | | | | |

Carcassonne: Expansion 1 – Inns & Cathedrals (2002)

ByMichail

Carcassonne: Inns and Cathedrals

“Carcassonne: Inns and Cathedrals” is an expansion for the popular board game Carcassonne, which was originally published in 2000 by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede. Carcassonne is a tile-based German-style board game for two to five players, set in the medieval fortified town of Carcassonne in southern France. The game has sold over 12 million copies and has been officially translated into 22 languages. It has also inspired numerous video games and adaptations on various platforms, including Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and even a Carcassonne game for Facebook.

Why is Carcassonne: Inns and Cathedrals Popular?

Carcassonne is a classic modern board game that has gained popularity due to its simple yet strategic gameplay, beautiful artwork, and the use of meeples, which are small wooden figurines representing people. The game has an almost cult-like following, with fans creating custom-made meeples and even an award named in their honor (Meeple’s Choice Awards). Carcassonne won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2001, further contributing to its popularity.

Game Components of Carcassonne: Expansion 1 – Inns & Cathedrals

  • 18 new Land tiles** featuring inns and cathedrals
  • 6 scoring tiles** (double-sided with 50 and 100 points)
  • 8 grey followers** for a sixth player
  • 6 large meeples** (one for each color)
  • 1 Abbot** (pink)

    How To Setup Carcassonne: Expansion 1 – Inns & Cathedrals

    To set up, mix the 18 new Land tiles with the tiles from the base game (and any other expansions you are using). Ensure all tiles are shuffled well to maintain randomness. The new scoring tiles and large meeples are added to the existing components. The setup remains largely the same as the base game, with the addition of these new elements.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Place a tile:** New Land tiles are placed according to the usual rules, integrating seamlessly with the base game.
  • Deploy a follower:** Players can now use large meeples, which count as two normal followers for majority purposes but do not double the points.
  • Score roads and cities:** Roads with inns double the points per tile, but score nothing if incomplete. Cities with cathedrals increase points per tile and pennant to 3, but also score nothing if incomplete.
  • Use Points tiles:** Track score laps around the scoreboard using 50/100 Points tiles, adding 50 or 100 points to the final score accordingly.

    Player Experience

    This expansion adds a fresh layer of strategy and complexity to the base game, making it more engaging and challenging. Players need to carefully consider where to place their large meeples to secure majorities and how to use inns and cathedrals to maximize their scores. The addition of a sixth player and new scoring mechanisms keeps the game exciting and dynamic.

    Pros

  • New Strategies:** Inns and cathedrals introduce new ways to score points and block opponents.
  • Enhanced Complexity:** Large meeples and new scoring tiles add depth to the game.
  • Increased Player Capacity:** Supports up to six players.
  • Improved Scoring System:** Points tiles make tracking scores easier and more visual.

    Cons

  • Learning Curve:** New rules and components may take some time to get used to.
  • Additional Cost:** Requires the base game and adds to the overall cost.
  • Component Management:** More tiles and meeples to manage can be overwhelming.

    Personal Thoughts on Carcassonne: Expansion 1 – Inns & Cathedrals

    This expansion is perfect for fans of Carcassonne looking to add more complexity and variety to their gameplay. It is particularly suited for experienced players who want to explore new strategies and deepen their engagement with the game. However, it may not be the best introduction for new players, as it builds upon the base game’s mechanics. Overall, it offers a rich and rewarding experience for those already enamored with the world of Carcassonne.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl