"Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide"

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a captivating deck-building experience that allows you to craft and refine your decks to your sinister preferences. It's a cooperative game, where you and your fellow investigators band together to combat the lurking horrors of the Arkham universe.

This game is part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which includes various board games, card games, and the accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (see on Amazon), along with its comprehensive rulebook.

Since its launch in 2016, the Arkham Horror Card Game has evolved with numerous expansions and updates. Purchasing the game can be complex beyond the base set and campaign, offering multiple avenues to tailor and personalize your gaming experience.

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 start your journey. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, allowing you to dive straight into the Night of the Zealot campaign. This offers a thrilling, replayable introduction to the Arkham Horror Card Game universe. If it captivates you, a vast array of expansions awaits.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

The expansions for Arkham Horror's card game differ from the board game versions. While the board games include complete stories, scenarios, and new investigators, the card game separates these elements. Campaign expansions introduce new narratives, while investigator expansions add new characters. This approach lets you customize your experience, playing scenarios with or without 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 first expansion released, The Dunwich Legacy, serves as a gentle progression from the base game with user-friendly scenarios. You'll embark on a search for lost investigators, seamlessly tying into the franchise's expansion strategy of introducing 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 AmazonIn this expansion, a theatre production arrives in Arkham. The added rules are accessible to newcomers, yet challenging enough to keep veterans engaged. If you own the older first edition, the second edition offers enough differences to justify a 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 AmazonThis expansion takes you to the ruins of an Aztec city, unraveling a mystery that threatens the fabric of time. It's a challenging campaign best suited for players who have experienced other expansions. The second edition brings further enhancements.

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 investigators with powerful bonuses, crucial for tackling its challenging campaign. If you're planning to dive into this narrative, consider the accompanying investigators for a more robust 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 horrors. The campaign is fraught with peril, making strategic choices essential, whether you opt for the coordinating 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, unraveling an international conspiracy involving the collection of keys and a race against the Red Coterie. This expansion offers a less linear exploration, providing flexibility 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. You can play them separately or combine them for an extended eight-part narrative, offering versatile play 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 AmazonIn this expansion, the world shifts based on fluctuating water levels that can flood locations, adding a dynamic layer to your strategic 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 AmazonA newer addition, this expansion brings you to Hemlock Vale, where residents prepare for a festival amidst unawareness of mutated wildlife and sinister presences. You have three days to investigate, with day and night dynamics affecting your experience.

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, sees the awakening of a Lovecraftian entity, 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 WalmartInterested in adding new characters without committing to a full expansion? Starter investigator decks are a cost-effective way to introduce new investigators to your roster. These characters, while not as powerful as those in campaign expansions, offer variety. Choose from Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark. Priced at $16.99 each, they can often be found on sale.

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 provide a smaller dose of action compared to full expansions, priced at $21.99 each. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is a great entry-level option for those new to the game. 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 offer revamped and additional content for specific campaigns, requiring the base campaign set. These are luxury items best suited for dedicated fans, and some can be challenging to find. Currently, there are five return-to-boxes available: Night of the Zealot (the original starter campaign), Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Some enthusiasts note that the Forgotten Age return-to-box simplifies some complexities from the original.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators are alternate versions of existing investigators with unique abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these can be difficult to find at major retailers, requiring collectors to search more extensively.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe offers an immersive experience. The card game can be enjoyed solo or with friends, offering endless replayability and adventure. However, be prepared for a challenging gameplay experience with elements of chance that can increase both replayability and frustration. While setup and learning time may take a bit, the card games are generally easier to set up than the board games, making your journey into the horrors of Arkham more accessible.