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Arkham Horror Card Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

By IsaacMay 14,2025

Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers an immersive deck-building experience for fans of the Lovecraftian universe, allowing players to tailor their decks to suit their strategies and preferences. As a cooperative game, it brings players together to combat the dark forces that lurk within the game's narrative, making it a thrilling experience for those who enjoy teamwork and strategic gameplay.

The game is part of the expansive Arkham Horror Files series, which includes various board games, card games, and the latest addition, the accessible Arkham Horror: The Role-Playing Game. Since its debut in 2016, Arkham Horror: The Card Game has evolved with numerous expansions and revisions, offering players a continuously growing universe to explore. However, purchasing the game and its expansions can be complex, as there are multiple ways to customize and enhance your gameplay experience.

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 Arkham Horror universe, providing everything you need to start your adventure. 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 replayable nature, 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 series. While board game expansions include complete stories and new investigators, the card game separates these elements. Campaign expansions introduce new narratives, while investigator expansions add new characters. This modular approach allows players to customize their experience, choosing to invest in new stories, characters, or both, at their own 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 was the first expansion released, designed as a gentle step up from the base game. It introduces a user-friendly set of scenarios where players search for lost investigators, reflecting the game's ongoing narrative of expanding its roster of characters with each new release.

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 changes might still be compelling enough to consider an upgrade.

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 players to the ruins of an Aztec city, where a mystery threatens the fabric of time itself. It's a challenging campaign, recommended for players who have already experienced other expansions. The second edition further refines this complex adventure.

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. The campaign itself is one of the toughest, making the addition of these investigators highly beneficial for tackling its challenges.

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 AmazonSet in the antarctic tundra, this expansion immerses players in a classic Lovecraftian setting. The harsh environment adds to the peril, requiring careful strategy whether you choose to use the new investigators or not.

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 expansion involves a global conspiracy and the collection of keys, offering a less linear exploration compared to other campaigns. Whether you include the new investigators or not, the adventure promises a unique experience.

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 AmazonFeaturing two four-part storylines, this campaign allows for flexible play. You can tackle the Dream Quest and the Web of Dreams separately or combine them for an extended 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 AmazonThis expansion introduces a dynamic world that changes with water levels, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay as players 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 AmazonIn this newer expansion, players visit Hemlock Vale during a festival, uncovering dangers like mutated wildlife and a sinister presence. The campaign unfolds over three days, 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, pits players against the awakened Lovecraftian horror, challenging them to save the day in this thrilling new scenario.

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 WalmartFor those looking to add new characters without committing to a full expansion, starter decks offer a cost-effective solution. Priced at $16.99 each, these decks introduce investigators like Harvey Walters, Nathaniel Cho, Jacqueline Fine, Winifred Habbamock, and Stella Clark, though they may not be as powerful as those found in campaign expansions.

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 provide smaller, focused adventures for $21.99 each. Murder at the Excelsior Hotel is considered entry-level, making it a great starting point for those new to the game. Other 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 enhance and revamp select campaigns, requiring the base campaign set to play. These are considered luxury items, best suited for dedicated fans. Some are out of print, making them collector's items. Available return-to-boxes include Night of the Zealot, Dunwich Legacy, Path to Carcosa, Circle Undone, and Forgotten Age, with the latter said to improve the original's complexity.

Parallel Investigator Packs

Parallel investigators offer alternate versions of existing characters with enhanced abilities and stats. Like Return to Boxes, these are harder to find at major retailers, requiring collectors to search more diligently.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-explore for fans of Lovecraftian themes, offering both solo and cooperative play with endless replayability. While the game can be challenging and involves elements of chance, its setup is more manageable than the board game counterparts, making it an engaging journey into the dark and mysterious world of Arkham.

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