I've had the base game for a long time and I'd like to expand it. I'm looking for new expansions that came out recently, but I'm not finding much in stores here in Montreal. Does anyone know where to order them or if some have become hard to find?
You've honestly got way better luck online than in physical stores in Montreal - that's something I noticed too when looking for specialized stuff there - small shops rarely have the full catalog. Check out 401Games or Asmodee directly, they usually have the recent expansions and the older ones that are harder to find elsewhere.
Catan expansions are pretty easy to find in a lot of places, but you've gotta know where to look. Physical stores in Montreal might have limited stock, especially for the newer versions. Try specialty board game shops first (like small neighborhood stores rather than big chains) - they'll often order on request if it's not on the shelf. Otherwise, big sites like Amazon.ca, 401games.ca, or stuff like DesLivresque will have a better selection, and you get home delivery no problem.
For older or rare expansions, it's true that some become actually impossible to find because of reprints. Catan has put out several versions over time, and Asmodée (the French publisher) doesn't reprint all of them regularly. Marketplaces like eBay or Facebook groups for Montreal board gamers can be useful for finding used copies at reasonable prices. If you're just looking to expand your game, check what version of the base game you have exactly (original, new edition, etc.) and hunt for compatible expansions, because not everything works together.
Good tip too: ask local shops directly if they can do a pre-order for new expansions. That way you know you don't have to go out of your way, and often there are discounts on advance orders. It's worth asking rather than going around in circles.
I've been buying game stuff online for years and honestly that's where you'll find the best selection - sites like 401games or even Amazon.ca clearly have way more stock than the small Montreal shops, especially for older or more niche expansions. The other thing is to check directly with Catan Inc or local distributors to see if certain versions are actually discontinued, because sometimes expansions come back in reprints without anyone knowing about it.
If you absolutely want to go to a physical store, call ahead - takes two minutes and you avoid wasting a trip. And honestly, between you and me, online prices are generally better, so even with shipping costs you often end up saving money.
Spoiler alert: all Catan expansions are super easy to find online, it's just that you're gonna have a hard time finding them in physical stores in Montreal. Try the big sites like Amazon.ca, 401Games, or even go straight to specialized board game retailers - they usually have way more stock than the little local shops. Fair warning though: some French vs English editions can cost pretty differently depending on the seller, and there's stuff that's been out of stock forever, so before you order just make sure it's actually in stock and not "pre-order" or "unknown availability" or whatever.
If you're really having trouble finding stuff in physical stores in Montreal, check out specialized board game shops like Matagot or Ludifolie - sometimes they have things the big chains don't stock. Otherwise yeah, ordering online is definitely more reliable if you want access to all the available expansions without waiting weeks.
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