Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a thrilling deck-building experience that lets you tailor your gameplay to your darkest desires. As a cooperative game, you and your fellow investigators team up to confront the chilling horrors lurking in the shadows. This game is a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files universe, which includes a variety of board games, card games, and the newly released, 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 players a rich and evolving experience. However, navigating the purchase of the game and its expansions can be complex, as there are various ways to customize and enhance your gameplay.

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 eerie world of Arkham Horror. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, allowing you to dive straight into the Night of the Zealot campaign. This set offers a replayable introduction to the game, and if you find yourself captivated, a vast array of expansions awaits to deepen your experience.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

The expansions for Arkham Horror: The Card Game differ from those of the board game. While the board game expansions include complete stories and new investigators, the card game separates these elements. You can purchase campaign expansions for new stories and investigator expansions for new characters. This modular approach lets you tailor your investment in the game, allowing you to enjoy 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 released, offering a gentle step up from the base game with user-friendly scenarios. It involves searching for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative of expanding its roster of characters with each new 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 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 AmazonThis expansion takes you to the ruins of an Aztec city, where a mystery threatens to unravel time itself. It's a challenging campaign, best suited for players who have already experienced other expansions. The second edition offers further refinements.

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. The campaign itself is one of the toughest, making the addition of these investigators highly recommended for tackling its challenges.

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. This expansion challenges you to navigate the icy dangers, with or without the accompanying 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 AmazonEmbark on a global quest to uncover an international conspiracy involving mysterious keys and the Red Coterie. This expansion offers a less linear exploration compared to others, enhancing replayability.

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 adventure, offering flexibility based on your available time.

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 changes dynamically based on water levels that can flood locations, adding a strategic layer to your gameplay as you navigate the shifting environment.

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 AmazonThis newer expansion brings you to Hemlock Vale, where residents prepare for a festival amidst unawareness of lurking dangers. You have three days to investigate, with gameplay dynamics varying 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. 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, though they may not be as powerful as those found in campaign expansions.

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 in 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 for dedicated fans. Some 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. The Forgotten Age return-to-box is said to simplify some of the original campaign's complexities.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with enhanced abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these are not widely available at major retailers, requiring collectors to search for them.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian horror, the Arkham Horror universe is a must-explore. Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers both solo and cooperative play, with endless replayability across its various iterations. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with elements of chance that can add both excitement and frustration. While setup and learning can take time, the card game is generally easier to manage than its board game counterparts, making the journey through the horrors of Arkham more accessible.