"Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an immersive deck-building card game that allows you to craft and customize your experience to your heart's content. Designed as a cooperative game, it invites you and your fellow players to join forces and confront the chilling horrors lurking within its universe. This game is a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which includes various board games, card games, and the newly released, user-friendly Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (available on Amazon) along with its comprehensive rulebook.

Launched in 2016, the Arkham Horror card game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, offering players a rich and evolving experience. Purchasing the game involves more than just acquiring the base set; it's about building, curating, and personalizing your gameplay with a variety of expansions and additional content.

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 provides everything you need to dive into the world of Arkham Horror. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, allowing you to embark on the Night of the Zealot campaign, offering a thrilling and replayable introduction to the game. If you find yourself captivated, a vast array of expansions awaits, enabling you to deepen your adventures.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

The expansions for the Arkham Horror card game are distinct from those of the board game. While board game expansions include full stories, scenarios, and new investigators, the card game splits these elements. Campaign expansions introduce new narratives, while investigator expansions bring in new characters. This separation allows players to customize their investment in the game, playing new scenarios with or without the latest 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 first expansion released, The Dunwich Legacy, serves as a gentle progression from the base game, featuring user-friendly scenarios. Players embark on a quest to find lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing expansion through new investigator sets with each release.

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 AmazonThis expansion introduces a theatre production in Arkham, with added rules that are accessible to new players yet challenging enough for veterans. If you own the first edition, the engaging updates in the second edition may justify a new purchase.

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 AmazonExplore the ruins of an Aztec city in this challenging campaign, which threatens to unravel the fabric of time itself. It's recommended for experienced players and is now in its second edition.

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 investigators to counter its challenging scenarios. It's highly recommended to purchase the investigators alongside the campaign for the best experience.

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 horror. With peril lurking at every turn, strategic decision-making is crucial, whether or not you choose to use the coordinating investigators.

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 AmazonTravel the world to unravel an international conspiracy involving mysterious keys and a race against the Red Coterie. This expansion offers a less linear exploration compared to others, 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 campaign features two four-part storylines: Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams, which can be played separately or combined for an extended eight-part narrative.

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 AmazonNavigate an ever-changing world influenced by fluctuating water levels that can flood locations, adding a dynamic layer to your strategic decisions.

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, players delve into Hemlock Vale, where residents prepare for a festival while oblivious to dangers like mutated wildlife and a sinister presence. You have three days to uncover the mysteries, with gameplay dynamics shifting between day and night.

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 AmazonThe latest expansion, The Drowned City, pits you against the awakened Lovecraftian horror, challenging you and your team to save the day.

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 committing to a full expansion, starter investigator decks are a cost-effective option. Priced at $16.99 each, these decks introduce characters like Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, though they may not be as powerful as those found in larger campaign boxes.

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 AmazonStandalone scenario packs offer a smaller, more focused gameplay experience at $21.99 each. "Murder at the Excelsior Hotel" is considered entry-level, making it a great starting point before diving into larger expansions. Other packs include Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything.

Return to Boxes

Return to boxes enhance and modify select campaigns, requiring the original campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items, ideal for dedicated fans. Some, like the "Night of the Zealot" box, are out of print, making them collector's items. Available return-to-boxes include Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter reportedly addressing some complexities of the original.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternative versions of existing characters with enhanced abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these packs can be challenging to find at major retailers, often requiring collectors to search further afield.

The Bottom Line

If you're drawn to the Lovecraft mythos, the Arkham Horror universe offers a compelling exploration. The card game's flexibility allows for both solo and multiplayer experiences, with endless replayability across its various iterations. However, be prepared for a challenging gameplay experience with elements of chance that can both enhance replayability and add to the frustration. While setup and learning may take some time, the card game is generally easier to prepare than its board game counterparts, making your journey through the horrors of Arkham more accessible.