The 2017 version of the Carcassonne Big Box is the best starter set for anyone who wants to play with as much variety as possible. It incorporates the base game along with 11 of its expansions: Inns & Cathedrals, Traders & Builders, The Abbot, The River, The Flying Machines, The Ferries, The Messengers, The Gold Mines, Mage & Witch, The Robbers, and The Crop Circles expansions.