Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a captivating series of deck-building card games that allow you to craft and customize your experience to your heart's content. As a cooperative game, you and your fellow players collaborate to confront the chilling horrors that lie within. It's a part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files universe, which also includes board games and the accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game, along with its newly released comprehensive rulebook.
Launched in 2016, the Arkham Horror card game has evolved through numerous expansions and updates. Purchasing the game can be a bit complex beyond the base deck and campaign, offering multiple ways to tailor your gameplay experience.
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dunwich Legacy Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Path to Carcosa Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Forgotten Age Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Circle Undone Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Edge of The Earth Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Scarlet Keys Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Dream-Eaters Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Innsmouth Conspiracy Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Feast of Hemlock Vale Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Campaign Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Drowned City Investigator Expansion
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Stella Clark Starter Deck
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Nathaniel Cho Starter Deck
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Jacqueline Fine Starter Deck
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Harvey Walters Starter Deck
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Winifred Habbamock Starter Deck
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Murder at the Excelsior Hotel Scenario Pack
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Fortune and Folly Scenario Pack
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - War of The Outer Gods Scenario Pack
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Machinations Through Time Scenario Pack
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game - The Labyrinths of Lunacy Scenario Pack
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### 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 you need to get started. It includes five pre-built investigator decks that allow you to dive straight into the first scenario: the Night of the Zealot campaign. This offers a fantastic, replayable introduction to the Arkham Horror Card Game universe. If you enjoy it, you'll have a wide range of expansions to explore.
Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions
The expansions for Arkham Horror's card game differ from those of the board game. In the board games, expansion boxes include complete stories, scenarios, and new investigators. Conversely, the card game offers campaign expansions that add new stories and investigator expansions that introduce new characters. This separation allows you to choose the level of investment in your gameplay experience, as you can play an expansion scenario without the new investigators if you wish.
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. It serves as a gentle step up from the base game, featuring user-friendly scenarios. You'll search for lost investigators, a theme that reflects how the card game franchise builds upon itself with each new 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 AmazonIn this expansion, a theatre production arrives in Arkham. The added rules are user-friendly for new players, yet challenging enough for veterans. If you own the older first edition, the second edition's enhancements might justify a new 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 AmazonThis expansion involves exploring the ruins of an Aztec city, uncovering a mystery that threatens the fabric of time itself. It's a challenging campaign, not recommended for newcomers until they've played 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 AmazonOften referred to as "the witches pack," this expansion introduces powerful investigators. The campaign itself is one of the more challenging ones. If you're considering this campaign, the investigators are highly recommended.
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 AmazonThis expansion takes you to the antarctic tundra, a classic setting for Lovecraftian horrors. With peril lurking around every corner, strategic decisions are crucial, whether or not you choose 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 AmazonThis campaign involves traversing the world to unravel an international conspiracy linked to the collection of keys and a race against the Red Coterie. It's less linear than most expansions, offering more flexibility in exploration.
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 includes two four-part storylines: Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams. You can play these separately for shorter sessions or combine them for an eight-part story.
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 features a world that changes based on water levels, adding a dynamic layer to strategic decision-making as you navigate the flooding locations.
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 transports players to Hemlock Vale, where residents prepare for a festival while unaware of dangers like mutated wildlife and a sinister presence. You have three days to investigate, with different dynamics during 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, sees the awakening of a Lovecraftian entity, challenging you and your team to save the day.
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 another character to your roster but aren't ready for a full expansion, consider purchasing a starter investigator deck. These are less expensive and introduce new investigators to aid your gameplay. However, they may not match the power of campaign-linked investigators. Five options are available: Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark. Each costs $16.99, though they can often be found 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 a more compact dose of action than full expansions, costing $21.99 each. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is considered one of the more entry-level scenarios, ideal for those hesitant to commit to a larger expansion. Other scenario 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 are enhanced versions and additions to specific campaigns, requiring the base campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items, suited for serious enthusiasts. Some are discontinued or hard to find through major retailers like Amazon or Asmodee. Currently, five return-to-boxes are available: Night of the Zealot (from the original starter box), Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Enthusiasts note that Forgotten Age helps simplify some complexities in the original expansion. Note that some, like Night of the Zealot, are out of print, making them collector's items.
Parallel Investigator Packs
Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing investigators with different abilities and enhanced stats. Like Return to Boxes, these can be challenging to find at major retailers, requiring collectors to search more extensively.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraft mythos-themed games, Arkham Horror is a universe you'll want to explore. Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers the flexibility to play solo or with friends, with a rich tapestry of adventures and seemingly endless replayability.
However, like the board games, the card games can be challenging, with a significant element of chance that can enhance replayability while sometimes causing frustration. Setup and learning can take some time, but the card games are generally easier to set up than their board game counterparts, making the experience more enjoyable even without expansions.
