Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Dive into the chilling world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game, a deck-building marvel that lets you craft and customize your gameplay to suit your darkest desires. As a cooperative game, you and your fellow players will unite to confront the eerie challenges that lurk within. This game is a gem within the vast Arkham Horror Files universe, which also includes a range of board games, card games, and the latest addition, the accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (available on Amazon), along with its comprehensive rulebook.

Since its debut in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, offering a rich tapestry of gameplay experiences. Navigating the world of this game can be complex, as the base deck and campaign are just the beginning. You can tailor your journey with various expansions and personal touches, making each playthrough uniquely yours.

Featured in this article

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Campaign Expansion

0See it at Walmart### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Campaign Expansion

0See it at Asmodee Store### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Investigator Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Stella Clark Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Nathaniel Cho Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Jacqueline Fine Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Harvey Walters Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Winifred Habbamock Starter Deck

0See it at Walmart### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Murder at the Excelsior Hotel Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Fortune and Folly Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - War of The Outer Gods Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Machinations Through Time Scenario Pack

0See it at Walmart### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Labyrinths of Lunacy Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Blob That Ate Everything Scenario Pack

0See it at AmazonHere's a swipe-able, all-in-one carousel of everything discussed in the article, for those who feel confident enough about their Arkham Horror: The Card Game knowledge to skip the blurbs. For everyone else, keep on reading.

The Base Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.95 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 45 mins per playerAges: 14+The core set is your gateway to this thrilling universe. It comes equipped with five pre-built investigator decks, ready for you to jump into the first scenario: the Night of the Zealot campaign. This gives you a taste of the game's replayable nature and sets the stage for the expansive world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game. If you find yourself hooked, a vast array of expansions awaits your exploration.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Unlike the board game expansions, those for the card game operate differently. Campaign expansions introduce new storylines, while investigator expansions bring in new characters. This modular approach allows you to customize your experience, playing scenarios with or without the new investigators.

The Dunwich Legacy

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonThe Dunwich Legacy was the inaugural expansion, designed as a gentle step up from the base game. It introduces a user-friendly set of scenarios where you'll search for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative growth with each new investigator set.

The Path to Carcosa

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonIn this expansion, a mysterious theatre production arrives in Arkham. While accessible to newcomers, it offers enough depth to keep seasoned players engaged. The second edition introduces engaging changes that might entice even those who own the original.

The Forgotten Age

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonEmbark on a perilous journey through the ruins of an Aztec city, where time itself hangs in the balance. This challenging campaign, now in its second edition, is best tackled after gaining some experience with the game.

The Circle Undone

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Campaign Expansion

0See it at Walmart### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonDubbed "the witches pack," this expansion introduces powerful new investigators and a formidable campaign. The investigators are a must-have to fully enjoy this tough adventure.

The Edge of the Earth

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonVenture into the antarctic tundra, a classic setting for Lovecraftian horrors. Navigate the icy dangers with or without the accompanying investigators, making strategic choices at every turn.

The Scarlet Keys

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonEmbark on a global quest to unravel an international conspiracy, racing against the Red Coterie. This less linear expansion offers varied exploration options, with or without the investigators.

The Dream Eaters

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonThis expansion features two separate four-part storylines, Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams, which can be played individually or combined into an epic eight-part saga.

The Innsmouth Conspiracy

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonExperience a dynamic world where water levels can flood locations, adding a strategic layer to your gameplay as you navigate through this ever-changing environment.

The Feast of the Hemlock Vale

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Campaign Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonIn this newer expansion, investigate the eerie happenings in Hemlock Vale as residents prepare for a festival, unaware of the lurking dangers. Your investigation spans three days, with different dynamics depending on the time of day.

The Drowned City

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Campaign Expansion

0See it at Asmodee Store### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Investigator Expansion

0See it at AmazonIn the latest expansion, the awakening of a Lovecraftian leviathan sets the stage for a desperate battle to save the world.

Other ways to expand your deck-building adventures in Arkham

Starter Decks

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Stella Clark Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Nathaniel Cho Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Jacqueline Fine Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Harvey Walters Starter Deck

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Winifred Habbamock Starter Deck

0See it at WalmartIf you're interested in adding new characters to your roster without diving into a full expansion, starter decks are the way to go. Priced at $16.99 each, these decks offer a more affordable way to expand your game. However, the characters may not be as potent as those found in the larger campaign boxes. Choose from Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, and keep an eye out for sales to snag them at a discount.

Scenario Packs

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Murder at the Excelsior Hotel Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Fortune and Folly Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - War of The Outer Gods Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Machinations Through Time Scenario Pack

0See it at Walmart### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Labyrinths of Lunacy Scenario Pack

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Blob That Ate Everything Scenario Pack

0See it at AmazonFor a more focused gameplay experience, standalone scenario packs offer a compact dose of action. Priced at $21.99 each, these packs are perfect for those looking to dip their toes before committing to a larger expansion. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is often praised as an entry-level scenario, making it an excellent starting point. Other packs include Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, The Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything.

Return to Boxes

Return to boxes enhance and revamp select campaigns, requiring the base campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items and may be challenging to find, as some have been discontinued. Currently available are Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Enthusiasts note that Forgotten Age improves upon the original's complexity.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with enhanced abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these may not be readily available at major retailers, requiring some effort to track down.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian horror, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-explore universe. Its cooperative nature and extensive range of expansions make it perfect for solo play or with friends, offering endless replayability. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with elements of chance that can enhance both replayability and frustration. While setup and learning can take time, the card game's setup is generally quicker than its board game counterparts, making the journey less daunting.