My flatmate and I just played a great two and a half hour game of Catan, with the Knights and Cities expansion as well as the Helpers of Catan addition.
My flatmate took the early lead, surging ahead, but I managed to close the gap to one point and we pretty much stayed in that position for the rest of the game, with him taking it out 13-12. But it ended up so close, that if he hadn't won on that turn, I was guaranteed to win it the next.
Still, being in second place for most of the game allowed me to make good use of Hilde, who is one of the most powerful helpers, but who can only be used if you're not winning.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5919/Z5NEc8.jpg)