Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a thrilling deck-building experience that lets you craft and customize your gameplay to your heart's content. This cooperative game invites you and your friends to team up and confront the lurking horrors of the Arkham universe. It's a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files family, which includes a variety of board games, card games, and the newest addition, the user-friendly Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (see on Amazon), along with its expansive rulebook.

Since its launch in 2016, the Arkham Horror card game has evolved with numerous expansions and updates, offering fans a deep and rich experience. However, navigating the purchase of the game can be complex, especially beyond the base set and initial campaigns, due to the variety of ways to build and personalize your deck.

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 into the Arkham Horror universe, offering everything you need to start your journey. It includes five pre-built investigator decks, perfect for diving into the Night of the Zealot campaign. This introductory scenario provides a taste of the game's replayability and sets the stage for the expansive world of Arkham Horror. If you find yourself captivated, a vast array of expansions awaits your exploration.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

The expansions for the Arkham Horror card game differ from those of the board game. While board game expansions include new stories, scenarios, and investigators, the card game splits these into separate purchases. You can choose campaign expansions for new narratives or investigator expansions for new characters, allowing you to tailor your investment in the game to your preferences and pace.

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 marks the first expansion, providing a gentle progression from the base game with its user-friendly scenarios. As you search for lost investigators, you'll see how the game builds on itself with each new investigator set introduced in subsequent expansions.

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 descends on Arkham, bringing new, user-friendly rules for newcomers while offering enough challenge to keep veterans engaged. Even those with the original edition might find the second edition's changes compelling enough 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 AmazonExplore the ruins of an Aztec city in this challenging campaign, where a mystery threatens to unravel time itself. Not recommended for beginners, this expansion's second edition offers an even more engaging experience.

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 joy to use, making them a must-have if you plan to tackle this tough 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 Lovecraftian setting, where peril awaits at every turn. Whether you choose to include the new investigators or not, this expansion promises a chilling adventure.

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 to unravel an international conspiracy, collecting keys and racing against the Red Coterie. This less linear expansion allows for diverse exploration, 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 features two four-part storylines, Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams, which can be played separately or combined into an epic eight-part narrative.

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 occurrences in Hemlock Vale during a festival, facing mutated wildlife and a sinister presence over three dynamic days and nights.

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 the depths of the drowned city, promising an intense battle for survival.

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 a new character to your roster without committing to a full expansion, consider these more affordable starter decks. While they may not be as powerful as the campaign-linked investigators, they offer a cost-effective way to expand your team. Choose from Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, or Stella Clark, all priced at $16.99 but 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 AmazonFor a smaller dose of action, standalone scenario packs are available. Priced at $21.99 each, these offer a taste of the game without the commitment of a full expansion. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is an entry-level scenario, perfect for newcomers. Other options 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 add to specific campaigns, requiring the original campaign set. These are considered luxury items for dedicated fans, and some are out of print, making them a challenge to find. Available return-to-boxes include Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter often praised for simplifying some of the original expansion's complexities.

Parallel Investigator Packs

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

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian mythos, the Arkham Horror universe is a must-explore. Arkham Horror: The Card Game stands out with its solo and multiplayer options, offering endless replayability across its various iterations. However, be prepared for a challenging experience, as the game involves a significant element of chance, which can enhance both replayability and frustration. While setup and learning might take some time, the card game's setup is generally quicker and less daunting than the board game's, even without expansions.