Favorite Major Expansion

[Carcassonne0123]

Just wanted to know what expansion you guys like the most.   

Linkback: https://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=4799.0

[DrMeeple]

WoF I think it’s more like a carcassonne full game version.

[Drodo]

Traders & Builders is a must have. Plus the big meeple from Inns.

[Willem]

I've gone with Abbey&Mayor this time.
I agree that Inns&Cathedrals are basically part of the base game for many, and Traders&Builders provide some very useful additions as well (in part by putting more focus on cities);
However I recently played a game with Abbey&Mayor expansion, and was a bit surprised on how much I liked it.
The Mayor is a bit of a downside to the expansion, as it's not always as useful as it's made out to be, but the barn is very much a tactical point. And, I always see how bad I am at that, as I can't remember ever winning a game with this expansion, as I just can't seem to predict barn placement, make use of existing barns nor play my own some times.
The wagon might be more used as just an extra meeple, it is at least still an extra meeple!
And the abbey can be very useful in its own right!

In my recent game I was relying on a crfr tile (starting tile), with which I could finish a long road (with an inn), place my barn in my main field, build on my city with cathedral and builder, and use the extra builder turn to finish said city with my Abbey. All came together at the end of the game, and it got me from really far behind to only just losing the game.

So I think it might be a bit of an underrated expansion (or at least in my previous experience), so I've gone for it now 

[Halfling]

Wheel of Fortune for me. Scrap the base game, this is what it should have been. For a true expansion I would have voted Abbey & Mayor or for #10 the Circus.

Have to say I enjoy all except #7 and #8. The variety offered means that I can play this game no matter my mood.

[Meepledrone]

As a expansion, I&C may be the best forme due to its simplicity (it takes 2 minutes to explain) and, as KJW said in an interview, it contains stuff taken out from the original base game to keep it lean.

I don't have preferred expansions but preferred mechanics from major expansions:
- The large meeple (I&C)
- Inns and cathedrals (I&C)
- The builder (T&B)
- The abbeys (A&M)
- Bridges (BC&B)

...that I like to combine with some minis like the rivers, phantom, German castles,... 

[Bumsakalaka]

According to Meepledrone my current favorite setup is:
Under the Big Top - full
Inns & Cathedrals & Large Meeple
Magic portals - P&D
Hills and Sheeps
Builder - T&B
Pantom
Fruits
Messages
Flyer

[Whaleyland]

I’m one of those strange people who doesn’t really like Traders & Builders at all and doesn’t use Inns & Cathedrals much. My favourite expansion is probably Hills & Sheep because all three elements are really fun. The Hills are nice because they make tile counting impossible (although I don’t think the tie breaker ability quite works). Shepherds are fun and use tiles creatively. Vineyards are also a welcome bonus for Monasteries.

[Windekind]

My top 5:
1) Bridges, Castles and Bazaars. (Without Bazaars. I do not like it. It breaks the game flow)
When I play with my partner, the bridges have the surprise effect when there is a farmer on the meadow. No, there is no place here because there is my farmer, the meadow is open along here and here ...
2) The Princess & The Dragon
3) Abbey & Mayor
4) Hills & Sheeps
5) The Tower

Inns & Cathedrals is actually the basic game for me. It is indispensable.

[DIN0]

Hills and Sheep is the best, hands down!
New and inovative tile configurations. New special figure along with brand new scoring option. Very well done push your luck mechanic. And finally after all those years cloisters get some boost in vineyards! Better late than never. The support from other expansions this recieved was also welcome.
The only thing I don't like (kind of hate in fact) is the hills depleting the tiles. But I just use blank tiles for that.
The other parts are just so good, they overshadow this lackluster portion.

This expansion should recieve more recognition!

[danisthirty]

I voted for The Tower because I felt sorry for it that nobody had voted for it. While I don't feel that it's entirely in keeping with the spirit of the game and can be a bit of an acquired taste, it certainly changes the way you play the game once you've gotten used to it.

[Meepledrone]

Dan, you are sentimental! 

[dirk2112]

I voted for The Tower because I felt sorry for it that nobody had voted for it. While I don't feel that it's entirely in keeping with the spirit of the game and can be a bit of an acquired taste, it certainly changes the way you play the game once you've gotten used to it.

I'll never get used to it  .  My wife and child put it and the Count, King, and Robber in the "no way we are ever playing that again" box. 

[Drodo]

I voted for The Tower because I felt sorry for it that nobody had voted for it. While I don't feel that it's entirely in keeping with the spirit of the game and can be a bit of an acquired taste, it certainly changes the way you play the game once you've gotten used to it.

I'll never get used to it  .  My wife and child put it and the Count, King, and Robber in the "no way we are ever playing that again" box.

What's wrong with Count, King and Robber?

The Count adds a nice layer of strategy, the King and Robber is a minimal change and the River II is legit. Only the Cult tiles are kind of lame imo, more monasteries ?

[danisthirty]

I voted for The Tower because I felt sorry for it that nobody had voted for it. While I don't feel that it's entirely in keeping with the spirit of the game and can be a bit of an acquired taste, it certainly changes the way you play the game once you've gotten used to it.

I'll never get used to it  .  My wife and child put it and the Count, King, and Robber in the "no way we are ever playing that again" box.

What's wrong with Count, King and Robber?

The Count adds a nice layer of strategy, the King and Robber is a minimal change and the River II is legit. Only the Cult tiles are kind of lame imo, more monasteries ?

Totally with you dirk2112! Although thesteveallen was kind enough to teach me how to play with The Count and all of the tactical elements that it introduce/ changes, it doesn't quite sit right with me in terms of how easy it is to take features over for minimal effort (some effort, yes). For me, Carcassonne is about managing your meeples carefully, managing risk and cunningly and imaginatively creating opportunities for yourself. Certain expansions trample over this elegant simplicity in a way that I find difficult to enjoy without adjusting my expectations accordingly. Like someone turning up to a 100m sprint on a motorbike.

It's a similar situation for me with The Tower. But while I mentioned how you need to adjust your expectations depending on what expansions are included, I actually quite enjoy the required adjustments when The Tower is included, and don't feel so sorry for myself when my meeples get kidnapped if there were ways I could have defended them but which I didn't prioritise.