Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide
Dive into the mysterious world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game, a thrilling deck-building experience that lets you tailor your gameplay to your dark heart’s desires. This cooperative game invites you and your fellow players to band together against the looming horrors that await, creating a deeply engaging experience.
Part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files universe, this card game is joined by a variety of board games and the latest addition, the user-friendly 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 complex and customizable gaming journey. However, navigating the purchase of this game can be a bit tricky, as the experience can be personalized and expanded in multiple ways beyond the base game and its campaigns.
The Base Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
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MSRP: $59.95 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 45 mins per player
Ages: 14+
The core set is your gateway to this dark universe, equipped with five pre-built investigator decks to jumpstart your adventure in the "Night of the Zealot" campaign. This introductory experience offers a taste of the game's depth and replayability. If you find yourself captivated, a vast array of expansions awaits to further enrich your gameplay.
Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions
Unlike the board game counterparts, the card game's expansions split into separate campaign and investigator packs. This modular approach lets you choose the depth of your experience, allowing you to enjoy new stories with or without the corresponding new characters.
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
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The first expansion, The Dunwich Legacy, gently escalates the challenge from the base game. It introduces user-friendly scenarios where you'll search for missing investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative development.
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
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Explore the eerie atmosphere of a theater production in Arkham with The Path to Carcosa. This expansion balances accessibility for new players with challenging gameplay that keeps seasoned players engaged. The second edition introduces engaging updates worth considering.
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
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Venture into the ruins of an Aztec city with The Forgotten Age, a challenging campaign not recommended for newcomers. Its second edition offers an updated and refined experience.
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
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Dubbed "the witches pack," The Circle Undone introduces powerful new investigators. This tough campaign is enhanced by the inclusion of these new characters.
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
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Face the chilling horrors of the Antarctic tundra in The Edge of the Earth. This expansion demands strategic decision-making, with or without 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
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Embark on a global adventure with The Scarlet Keys, tackling an international conspiracy. This less linear expansion offers flexibility in exploration, whether or not you include 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
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Experience two intertwined storylines in The Dream Eaters. Play the "Dream Quest" and "Web of Dreams" separately or combine them for an epic eight-part adventure.
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
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Navigate the ever-changing world of The Innsmouth Conspiracy, where water levels dynamically alter the game environment, adding a strategic layer to your gameplay.
The Feast of 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
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In the latest expansion, The Feast of Hemlock Vale, you have three days to uncover the mysteries of a seemingly idyllic festival town, with different challenges during 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
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Confront the awakened squid-like deity in The Drowned City, the newest expansion, where you and your team must thwart the impending doom.
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
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If you're curious about adding new characters without committing to a full expansion, consider the more affordable starter investigator decks. These decks introduce characters like Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, each priced at $16.99, often available 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
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For a smaller dose of adventure, standalone scenario packs like Murder at the Excelsior Hotel offer entry-level experiences. Other packs include Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything, each priced at $21.99.
Return to Boxes
"Return to" boxes enhance specific campaigns, requiring the base set. These luxury items cater to dedicated fans, though some are hard to find due to discontinuation. Available sets include Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter reportedly simplifying complexities from the original.
Parallel Investigator Packs
For a fresh twist, Parallel Investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with unique abilities and stats. These packs are not readily available at major retailers, requiring a bit of a search for collectors.
The Bottom Line
For fans of Lovecraftian themes, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-explore universe. Its versatility allows for solo play or group adventures, boasting endless replayability. However, be prepared for a challenging experience, with significant elements of chance that can enhance both enjoyment and frustration. While setup and learning may take some time, the card game's setup is generally quicker than its board game counterparts, making the dive into this dark world less daunting.
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