Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Dive into the dark, thrilling world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game, a cooperative deck-building experience that lets you tailor your gameplay to your sinister preferences. As part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files universe, this card game connects to a rich family of board games and the newly introduced, user-friendly Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (see on Amazon), complete with an expansive rulebook that enriches the experience even further.

Since its debut in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, offering a customizable journey into horror. Purchasing the game goes beyond the base set and campaign; it's about curating and personalizing your own eerie 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 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 contains everything you need to embark on your first journey into the chilling world of Arkham Horror: The Card Game. It includes five pre-built investigator decks that plunge you into the "Night of the Zealot" campaign, offering a replayable taste of the horror-filled universe. If you enjoy the experience, a vast array of expansions awaits your exploration.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Unlike its board game counterparts, the card game's expansions are structured differently. While board game expansions include complete stories and new investigators, the card game separates these elements into campaign expansions, which introduce new stories, and investigator expansions, which add new characters. This modular approach allows players to customize their experience, choosing whether to dive into new narratives or add new investigators to their roster.

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," 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 growth with each new investigator set.

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 "The Path to Carcosa," a theatre production in Arkham sets the stage for new horrors. This expansion balances user-friendly rules for newcomers with enough complexity to keep veterans engaged. Even those with the first edition might find the updated second edition compelling.

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 Amazon"The Forgotten Age" takes you to the ruins of an Aztec city, challenging the fabric of time itself. A formidable campaign, it's recommended for players who have already ventured through other expansions. It's 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 AmazonNicknamed "the witches pack," "The Circle Undone" introduces powerful new investigators that enhance gameplay. The campaign itself is one of the more challenging ones, making the accompanying investigator expansion a wise choice for tackling its complexities.

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 with "The Edge of the Earth," where Lovecraftian horrors await. This expansion offers a perilous journey, whether you choose to explore 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

0See it at Amazon"The Scarlet Keys" takes you on a global quest to uncover an international conspiracy. Less linear than most expansions, it provides a versatile exploration experience, 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 offers two distinct four-part storylines, "Dream Quest" and "The Web of Dreams," which can be played separately or combined into an eight-part epic.

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 "The Innsmouth Conspiracy," the world shifts with water levels that can flood locations, adding a dynamic strategic element 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 Amazon"The Feast of the Hemlock Vale" transports you to a town preparing for a festival, oblivious to the lurking dangers. You have three days to uncover the mysteries, with gameplay dynamics varying by 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," challenges you to thwart a rising Lovecraftian entity. It's a gripping addition to the series.

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 to your roster without committing to a full expansion, starter investigator decks are a cost-effective option. Priced at $16.99 each, they're often available at a discount. Choose from Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, though these characters might not be as powerful as those from 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 taste of new adventures without the full commitment, standalone scenario packs are available at $21.99 each. "Murder at the Excelsior Hotel" is an entry-level choice, ideal for beginners. Other options include Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, The Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything.

Return to Boxes

Return to boxes enhance and expand select campaigns, requiring the original campaign set. They're considered luxury items, best suited for dedicated fans. Some, like Night of the Zealot, may be out of print, making them collector's items. Available sets include Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter reportedly smoothing some of the original's complexities.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with new abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these can be harder to find at major retailers, requiring collectors to seek them out.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian horror, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an essential journey into the dark unknown. Its cooperative nature allows for solo or group play, offering endless replayability within a universe brimming with adventure. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with a significant element of chance that can enhance replay value but also increase frustration. While setup and learning can take time, the card game's setup is generally easier than the board game, making your descent into horror less daunting.