"Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an enthralling series of deck-building card games that allows you to craft and personalize your experience to your dark heart's content. As a cooperative game, you and your fellow players join forces to confront the chilling horrors that lie in wait. This game is a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which also includes a variety of board games, card games, and the accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game, along with its extensive rulebook, all available on Amazon.

Since its debut in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has undergone numerous expansions and updates, offering a rich and evolving gameplay experience. However, navigating the purchase of the game and its expansions can be complex, given the various options available for building and curating your adventure.

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 Amazon

For those well-versed in the intricacies of Arkham Horror: The Card Game, here's a convenient, swipe-able carousel showcasing all the products discussed in this article. For newcomers and enthusiasts alike, continue reading to delve deeper into the game's offerings.

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 Arkham Horror universe, providing everything you need to start your journey. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, allowing you to dive straight into the Night of the Zealot campaign. This initial experience offers a taste of the game's replayable nature, setting the stage for a vast array of expansions to explore further.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Unlike the board game expansions, the card game's expansions are split into campaign and investigator sets. Campaign expansions introduce new stories and scenarios, while investigator expansions add new characters. This separation allows you to tailor your investment in the game, choosing 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 first expansion, The Dunwich Legacy, gently escalates the challenge from the base game. It introduces a user-friendly set of scenarios where you search for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative of expanding its roster of 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 mysterious theatre production arrives in Arkham. The added rules are accessible for new players, yet challenging enough to keep veterans engaged. If you own the first edition, the second edition's enhancements might still be worth exploring.

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 an expedition to an Aztec city, where a mystery threatens the fabric of time itself. This challenging campaign, now in its second edition, is best suited for players who have already experienced other expansions.

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 demanding campaign. The investigators' bonuses are a significant advantage, making them a worthwhile addition to your collection.

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. Navigate the perilous environment with or without the coordinating 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 AmazonTravel the world in pursuit of an international conspiracy involving mysterious keys and the Red Coterie. This less linear expansion offers flexibility in 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 expansion features two four-part storylines: Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams. You can play them separately or combine them for an extended eight-part narrative, offering versatile gameplay options.

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 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, investigate strange occurrences in Hemlock Vale as residents prepare for a festival, oblivious to the lurking dangers. Your three-day investigation unfolds differently 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

0See it at AmazonThe latest expansion, The Drowned City, pits you against the awakened Lovecraftian horror. It's your mission to save the day in this thrilling new adventure.

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 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, which can be found on sale occasionally.

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 dose of action, standalone scenario packs are available at $21.99 each. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is considered an entry-level scenario, perfect for those looking to dip their toes 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 revamp select campaigns, requiring the base campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items, best suited for dedicated fans. Some are hard to find, with certain editions like Night of the Zealot being out of print. Available return-to-boxes include Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter said to improve 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 are not easily found at major retailers, requiring collectors to search more diligently.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian mythos, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-explore universe. Its cooperative nature allows for solo or group play, offering endless replayability across its various iterations. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with elements of chance that can enhance both replayability and frustration. While setup and learning may take time, the card game's setup is generally quicker than the board game's, making the journey through the horrors of Arkham more accessible.