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Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

Author : Peyton Update:May 13,2025

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a thrilling deck-building experience that lets you dive deep into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft. As a cooperative game, you and your friends can team up to battle the sinister forces lurking in the shadows. It's part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files universe, which also includes board games and the newly released, highly accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game (see on Amazon) along with its expansive rulebook.

Launched in 2016, the card game has evolved through numerous expansions and revisions, offering a rich tapestry of scenarios and characters. Purchasing the game can be a bit complex beyond the base set and campaign, as you can tailor your experience with various expansions and customizations.

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 chilling world of Arkham Horror. It comes with five pre-built investigator decks, perfect for diving into the first scenario, the Night of the Zealot campaign. This gives you a taste of the game's atmosphere and mechanics, and if you're hooked, a wide array of expansions awaits.

Arkham Horror Card Game Expansions

Unlike the board game versions, the card game expansions split new stories and characters into separate packs. Campaign expansions introduce new scenarios, while investigator expansions add fresh characters to your roster. This setup allows you to tailor your investment, playing new scenarios 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 AmazonAs the first expansion, The Dunwich Legacy offers a gentle step up from the base game. It introduces a user-friendly set of scenarios where you search for lost investigators, reflecting the game's theme of growth and expansion through new characters.

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 descends upon Arkham. The rules are approachable for new players yet challenging enough to keep veterans engaged. If you own the first edition, the second edition's changes might 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 AmazonEmbark on an adventure through Aztec ruins, facing a mystery that could unravel time itself. This challenging campaign is best for players who've mastered the basics. The second edition offers even more to explore.

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," this expansion introduces powerful new investigators and a tough campaign. The investigators' bonuses are a joy to use, making them a must-have if you're tackling this challenging scenario.

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. Navigate the icy dangers with or without the new investigators, making strategic choices to survive the frigid wilderness.

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 AmazonTravel the world in this expansion, unraveling an international conspiracy involving mysterious keys and the Red Coterie. Its less linear structure offers varied exploration, whether you use the new investigators or not.

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 expansion features two storylines: Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams. Play them separately for quick sessions or combine them for an epic eight-part adventure.

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 that can flood locations. This dynamic element adds depth 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, explore Hemlock Vale as residents prepare for a festival, oblivious to lurking dangers. Investigate within a three-day window, with gameplay dynamics shifting between 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 AmazonIn the latest expansion, face the awakened Lovecraftian horror in The Drowned City. Team up to save the day from the encroaching chaos.

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 want to add new characters without diving into a full expansion, consider the starter decks. These are more affordable and introduce new investigators to enhance your gameplay. However, the characters might not be as robust as those found in the larger campaign-linked boxes. You have five options: Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, all priced at $16.99, 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 horror, standalone scenario packs are available. Priced at $21.99 each, they offer a taste of the game's intensity without the full commitment of an expansion. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is considered entry-level, perfect for those dipping their toes in. 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 revamp specific campaigns, requiring the base campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items, best for dedicated fans. Some are hard to find, as they can be discontinued or out of stock on major sites like Amazon or Asmodee. Five return-to-boxes exist: Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age. Notably, Forgotten Age is said to improve upon the original's complexities.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with unique abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, they're not easily found at big retailers, requiring some effort from collectors to acquire.

The Bottom Line

If you're captivated by Lovecraft's mythos, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-explore universe. It's versatile, playable solo or with friends, and offers endless replayability. However, be prepared for a challenging experience with elements of chance that can increase both replayability and frustration. While setup and learning might take time, the card game is generally quicker to set up than its board game counterparts, making the journey through its dark realms less daunting.

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