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 within the game's universe. This card game is a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which includes various board games, card games, and the latest addition, the accessible 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 multiple 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 initial experience offers a taste of the game's atmosphere and mechanics, setting the stage for further exploration through a wide array of expansions.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

The expansions for Arkham Horror: The Card Game differ from those of the board game. While 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, allowing you to tailor your investment in the game's narrative and 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 Dunwich Legacy was the first expansion released, offering a gentle progression from the base game. It introduces a user-friendly set of scenarios where you search for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative development through new investigator sets.

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 the fabric of time itself. It's a challenging campaign, best suited for players who have already delved into 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 and a challenging campaign. The investigators' bonuses are a significant advantage, making them a worthwhile addition alongside the campaign.

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 perilous conditions, 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 AmazonEmbark on a global quest to uncover an international conspiracy involving the collection of keys. 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 that can be played separately or combined into an eight-part epic. It offers flexibility for players with varying amounts of 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 AmazonThis expansion introduces a dynamic world that changes with water levels, adding strategic depth to your gameplay as you navigate the shifting landscape.

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, you investigate strange occurrences in Hemlock Vale during a festival. The gameplay varies between day and night, adding a unique twist to your investigation.

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 pits you against the awakened Lovecraftian horror in a flooded city. It's a thrilling addition to the series, offering new challenges and adventures.

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 decks are a cost-effective option. They introduce new investigators like Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, each priced at $16.99, though often available at a discount.

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 at $21.99 each. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is a great entry-level scenario, while others like Fortune and Folly, Machinations Through Time, War of the Outer Gods, Labyrinths of Lunacy, and The Blob That Ate Everything provide diverse experiences.

Return to Boxes

Return to boxes enhance and revamp select campaigns, requiring the base campaign set. These are considered luxury items, best suited for dedicated fans. Some, like Night of the Zealot, are out of print, making them collector's items. Other available return-to-boxes include Dunwich Legacy, Circle of Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter improving the original's complexity.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with new abilities and stats. These packs are less common at major retailers, requiring collectors to seek them out.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian horror, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an immersive universe ripe for exploration. Its cooperative nature allows for solo or group play, with endless replayability. However, the game's complexity and reliance on chance can be challenging, though the card game's setup is generally easier than the board game's. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, the rich world of Arkham Horror offers a hauntingly engaging experience.