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Arkham Horror: The Card Game box image

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a cooperative living card game set in the Lovecraftian universe. Players take on the roles of investigators, exploring locations, fighting monsters, and uncovering the mysteries of the Ancient Ones.

8.13 / 10
BGG Rating
14+
age
2016
published year
1 - 2
player count
1 - 2, 2+
Recommended player count
60 - 120 mins
play time

How Complex is Arkham Horror: The Card Game?

3.54 / 5

The game has a moderate complexity, with a learning curve for deckbuilding and rules. However, the game is accessible to new players with experience in similar games.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Arkham Horror: The Card Game?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in the game, as players draw random encounter cards and chaos tokens during skill tests. However, players can mitigate luck through deckbuilding and strategic play.

How much Player Interaction does Arkham Horror: The Card Game offer?

3.5 / 5

The game offers moderate player interaction through cooperative play, sharing resources, and coordinating actions. However, players have limited ability to directly affect each other's gameplay.

How much Replayability does Arkham Horror: The Card Game offer?

4.5 / 5

The game offers high replayability due to the branching narrative structure, variable player decks, and multiple difficulty levels. The expansions also add new scenarios and investigators.

Why you should play Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Immersive storytelling

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is known for its immersive storytelling that takes players on a journey through the Lovecraftian world of Arkham. The game features a rich narrative that unfolds as players progress through the game, making it a great choice for players who love games with a strong narrative element.

Cooperative gameplay

The game is designed to be played cooperatively, which means that players must work together to overcome the challenges presented by the game. This makes it a great choice for players who enjoy working together as a team to achieve a common goal.

Deck building

The game features a deck-building element that allows players to customize their decks with different cards to suit their play style. This adds a layer of strategy to the game and allows players to tailor their decks to their individual preferences.

Replayability

The game has a high level of replayability, as each playthrough is different due to the randomized nature of the game. This means that players can play the game multiple times and still have a unique experience each time.

Challenging gameplay

The game is known for its challenging gameplay, which can be a draw for players who enjoy games that require strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Expansion options

The game has a number of expansion options available, which can add new cards, scenarios, and characters to the game. This can help keep the game fresh and exciting for players who have played through the base game multiple times.

Art and design

The game features stunning artwork and design that helps to bring the world of Arkham to life. This can be a draw for players who appreciate games with high-quality production values.

Why you should avoid Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Complexity

The game can be quite complex, with a lot of rules and mechanics to learn. This can be overwhelming for new players or those who prefer simpler games.

Cost

The game can be expensive, especially when factoring in the cost of expansions. This may be a deterrent for players who are on a budget or prefer games with a lower price point.

Time commitment

The game can take a long time to play, with some scenarios taking several hours to complete. This may not be ideal for players who prefer shorter games or have limited time to play.

Theme

The Lovecraftian horror theme may not be appealing to all players, especially those who are sensitive to themes of horror or the occult.

Solo play

While the game can be played solo, it is designed to be played cooperatively, which means that solo play may not be as enjoyable as playing with a group of friends.

Where to find the Rules of Arkham Horror: The Card Game

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Arkham Horror: The Card Game files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Arkham Horror: The Card Game.

Build a balanced deck

Make sure your deck has a good mix of assets, events, and skills. Don't just focus on one type of card.

Plan your actions

Before taking your turn, think about what you want to accomplish and plan your actions accordingly. Don't waste actions on things that won't help you achieve your goals.

Manage your resources

Keep track of your resources (cards, money, etc.) and use them wisely. Don't spend everything at once, but don't hoard them either.

Work together

This is a cooperative game, so work with your fellow investigators to achieve your goals. Share information and resources, and help each other out when needed.

Be prepared

Make sure you have the right tools for the job. Bring weapons and spells to deal with monsters, and bring investigation tools to uncover clues.

Stay alive

Don't take unnecessary risks, and be prepared to run away if things get too dangerous. Your health and sanity are important, so don't let them get too low.

Know the rules

Make sure you understand the rules of the game, including how to resolve tests and combat. This will help you make better decisions and avoid mistakes.

Have fun

Remember, this is a game, so have fun and enjoy the experience!

Advanced Strategies for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Focus on your investigator's strengths

As you play the game more, you'll start to get a sense of what your investigator is good at. Focus on building your deck around their strengths and play to their abilities.

Plan for the long game

As you progress through the campaign, you'll start to encounter more difficult challenges. Make sure you're building your deck and managing your resources with the long game in mind.

Be flexible

Don't get too attached to your initial strategy. Be prepared to adapt and change your approach as the game progresses.

Learn from your mistakes

If you fail a scenario, take some time to reflect on what went wrong and how you can improve. Use what you've learned to adjust your strategy for the next attempt.

Experiment with different investigators and decks

Don't be afraid to try out different investigators and deck builds. This will help you learn more about the game and find new strategies that work for you.

Pay attention to the story

Arkham Horror: The Card Game has a rich and immersive story. Pay attention to the narrative and make decisions that feel true to your character and the story.

Use your weaknesses to your advantage

Every investigator has weaknesses, but they can also be used to your advantage. Embrace your weaknesses and find ways to turn them into strengths.

Don't forget about the little things

It's easy to get caught up in the big picture, but don't forget about the little things. Investigating every location and gathering every clue can make a big difference in the long run.

Mechanics

Action Points
Modular Board
Variable Player Powers
Cooperative Game
Role Playing
Hand Management
Area Movement
Push Your Luck
Solo / Solitaire Game
Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game
Events
Stat Check Resolution
Communication Limits
Map Deformation
Deck Construction

Categories

Card Game
Fantasy
Exploration
Adventure
Horror
Collectible Components
Novel-based