<p>Correct, you cannot upgrade to another level 4 unless you first build another city. From the <a href="https://www.catan.com/faqs/96?page=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>City Improvements and Metropolises - May I upgrade a city to 2 metropolises at the same time?</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>No. If you only have 1 city and already upgraded it to a metropolis, you are not allowed to build a 4th level of improvement in another area. Before you do this, you must upgrade another settlement to a city.</p>
  </blockquote>
</blockquote>

<p>Although the question being asked is about placing 2 metropolises on one city, the answer provided specifically states that you are not allowed to build a 4th level of improvement in another area until you upgrade another settlement into a city. </p>

<p>This same question generated some discussion on <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/452758/metropolis" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BGG</a> a while ago; most people seemed to agree with this interpretation, even though it is not fully clear. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-28T02:12:13.283Z
2018-07-28T02:17:48.913Z
2018-07-28T02:17:48.913Z
GendoIkari
<p>The rules of Cities and Knights state the following:</p>

<p>"...you may not purchase any improvements beyond the third level of a given color unless you have a city where you could build a metropolis."</p>

<p>Let's say someone has a metropolis built for Science (level 4) and I am currently holding a metropolis for Trade (level 4) though own no other cities. Does the rule imply that, even though the metropolis has already been taken for Science, I still cannot go past level 3 for Science?</p>

<catan><catan-cities-and-knights>
Settlers of Catan: Cities and Knights - Rule Clarificarions
George
# Settlers of Catan: Cities and Knights - Rule Clarificarions

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-07-28)

The rules of Cities and Knights state the following:

"...you may not purchase any improvements beyond the third level of a given color unless you have a city where you could build a metropolis."

Let's say someone has a metropolis built for Science (level 4) and I am currently holding a metropolis for Trade (level 4) though own no other cities. Does the rule imply that, even though the metropolis has already been taken for Science, I still cannot go past level 3 for Science?

**Tags:** catan, catan-cities-and-knights


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-07-28. Score: 4

Correct, you cannot upgrade to another level 4 unless you first build another city. From the [FAQ](https://www.catan.com/faqs/96?page=1):

> City Improvements and Metropolises - May I upgrade a city to 2 metropolises at the same time?
>
> > No. If you only have 1 city and already upgraded it to a metropolis, you are not allowed to build a 4th level of improvement in another area. Before you do this, you must upgrade another settlement to a city.

Although the question being asked is about placing 2 metropolises on one city, the answer provided specifically states that you are not allowed to build a 4th level of improvement in another area until you upgrade another settlement into a city.

This same question generated some discussion on [BGG](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/452758/metropolis) a while ago; most people seemed to agree with this interpretation, even though it is not fully clear.


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