Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Dive into the eerie and thrilling world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game, a deck-building card game that lets you tailor your experience to your darkest desires. This cooperative game unites you and your fellow players in a battle against looming horrors, drawing you deeper into the mysterious realm of the Arkham Horror Files. This franchise spans a variety of games, from board games to the recently introduced, accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game and its expansive rulebook (available on Amazon).

Since its debut in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, offering players a rich tapestry of experiences. Navigating the purchase of this game can be complex, as it extends beyond the base deck and campaign, with options to customize and personalize your gaming journey.

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 the dark world of Arkham Horror. It comes with five pre-built investigator decks, perfect for diving into the initial Night of the Zealot campaign. This provides a thrilling, replayable introduction to the game, setting the stage for a vast array of expansions to explore further.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Unlike the board game version, Arkham Horror's card game expansions offer a unique approach. While board game expansions include complete stories and new investigators, the card game splits these into campaign expansions for new stories and investigator expansions for new characters. This flexibility lets you choose how deeply you wish to dive into the game, allowing you to play 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 Dunwich Legacy was the first expansion, offering a gentle progression from the base game with user-friendly scenarios. It introduces a quest to find lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing expansion with new characters.

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 theatrical production descends on Arkham, adding new rules that are accessible yet challenging. Even veterans might find the second edition's changes intriguing enough to revisit.

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 expansion, where time itself is at stake. It's a challenging campaign, best suited for experienced players, now available 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 tackle one of the toughest campaigns. Their bonuses make them a must-have alongside the campaign.

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 Lovecraftian setting, where danger lurks at every turn. This expansion offers a thrilling challenge, whether you opt for the new investigators or not.

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 journey to unravel an international conspiracy. This expansion's less linear approach allows for varied exploration, with or without the new 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 offers two four-part storylines that can be played separately or combined for an epic eight-part narrative, providing flexibility for players with varying time commitments.

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 rising water levels, adding a dynamic layer of strategy to your gameplay.

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 strange happenings in Hemlock Vale over three days, 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 AmazonFace the awakened Lovecraftian horror in this latest expansion, where your team must rise to the challenge 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 looking to add new characters without committing to a full expansion, starter investigator decks are a cost-effective option. These decks introduce characters like Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, all 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

0See it at AmazonFor a smaller taste of action, standalone scenario packs like Murder at the Excelsior Hotel, Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything are available at $21.99 each. They're perfect for those wanting a briefer experience before delving into full expansions.

Return to Boxes

Return to boxes enhance select campaigns, requiring the base set to play. These are considered luxury items, often difficult to find due to discontinuation or limited availability. Currently, there are five: Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Notably, Forgotten Age is said to refine some of the original expansion's complexities.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with new abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these packs can be challenging to source from major retailers, making them a collector's item.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian mythos, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an essential journey into darkness. It's adaptable for solo play or with friends, boasting extensive replayability. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with significant elements of chance, which can enhance both replayability and potential frustration. While setup and learning might take some time, the card game's setup is generally more straightforward than the board games, making your descent into the horror less daunting.