Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a thrilling deck-building experience that lets you customize your gameplay to suit your dark desires. As a cooperative game, you and your fellow players collaborate to combat the lurking horrors within the game's eerie universe. It's a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which includes various board games, card games, and the recently introduced, user-friendly Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game, along with its comprehensive rulebook (available on Amazon).

Launched in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, enhancing the gameplay experience. Purchasing the game can be a bit complex beyond the base deck and campaign, offering multiple avenues to tailor and enhance 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 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 needed to start your journey. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, allowing you to immediately dive into the first scenario, the Night of the Zealot campaign. This offers a rich, replayable introduction to the Arkham Horror Card Game world, with a wide range of expansions available for further exploration.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Arkham Horror's card game expansions differ from the board game counterparts. While board game expansions include both new stories and investigators, the card game separates these elements. Campaign expansions introduce new stories, while investigator expansions bring in new characters. This structure lets players choose how much they want to invest at any given time, enabling gameplay 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, designed as a gentle introduction to more complex gameplay. It involves searching for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative development through new investigator sets in each expansion.

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 AmazonThis expansion brings a theatrical twist to Arkham, introducing user-friendly rules for newcomers while maintaining enough challenge for seasoned players. If you own the first edition, the second edition offers engaging updates worth considering.

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 an Aztec city's ruins in this challenging campaign, tackling a mystery that threatens the fabric of time. Recommended for players with prior experience, it's now 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 new investigators and a demanding campaign. Pairing the campaign with the investigators is highly recommended for the best 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 AmazonJourney to the Antarctic tundra, a classic Lovecraftian setting, and navigate the perils that await 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 adventure to uncover an international conspiracy, with a less linear narrative than other expansions, playable 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 separate four-part storylines, Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams, which can be played individually or combined into an epic eight-part saga.

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 fluctuating water levels, 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 AmazonIn this newer expansion, investigate strange happenings in Hemlock Vale over three days, facing different challenges depending on the time of day.

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 AmazonConfront the awakening of a Lovecraftian horror in this latest expansion, striving to save the day with your team.

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 a new character to your roster without committing to a full expansion? Starter decks offer a cost-effective way to expand your investigator options. While these characters may not be as powerful as those from campaign expansions, they provide valuable additions to your gameplay. Choose from Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, all priced at $16.99, with occasional discounts available.

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 offer smaller, focused adventures for those looking for a lighter commitment. Priced at $21.99 each, these packs include Murder at the Excelsior Hotel, considered entry-level, along with 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 existing campaigns, requiring the original campaign set. They are considered luxury items for dedicated fans, though some are out of print and harder to find. Available options include Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Notably, the Forgotten Age return box is said to improve on the original's complexity.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with different abilities and stats, adding variety to your gameplay. These packs are less common at major retailers, requiring a bit of searching for collectors.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian mythos, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an immersive and customizable experience. Its cooperative nature allows for solo or group play, with endless replayability across its various iterations. However, be prepared for a challenging setup and gameplay, which can be both rewarding and occasionally frustrating due to the element of chance. While the card game is easier to set up than its board game counterparts, it still demands a bit of time to master, enhancing the depth and enjoyment of your journey through the Arkham Horror universe.