Beginner’s guide to Arkham Horror LCG: How to start your campaign, and the best order for the expansions
Your essential roadmap to starting and expanding your Arkham Horror LCG campaign.
Are you new to Arkham Horror LCG or returning after a break from cosmic terror? Welcome! In this cooperative, narrative-driven living card game, you and up to three friends act as investigators battling unspeakable horrors. As you craft your decks and follow an evolving campaign, you’ll face challenging scenarios that shift the fate of Arkham itself.
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Understanding the game
Arkham Horror LCG combines deck-building, strategy, and storytelling. Each player creates a deck from a shared pool of cards, representing investigators with unique skills, allies, and equipment. The game unfolds over a series of scenarios that form a campaign, where decisions impact future challenges. The tension rises as you face mythos events, gather clues, and make tough calls to avert impending doom.
Essential starting kit
For those beginning the journey, your first purchase should be the Revised Core Set. This essential kit is designed for groups of up to four players and comes complete with everything you need to start your first campaign. Its comprehensive package includes all the cards and tokens required for deck building, alongside the introductory campaign that guides you through the game’s mechanics. If you’re dipping your toes into Arkham Horror LCG, this set offers a balanced introduction without overwhelming you with extra components.
Why choose the Revised Core Set?
- It supports a multiplayer experience without needing duplicate sets.
- The included campaign (Night of the Zealot) is crafted to help you learn the rules while immersing you in the game’s lore.
Expanding your campaign
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the core gameplay, it’s time to delve deeper into the unfolding stories. For your next expansion, consider fully embracing a campaign cycle. Two highly recommended cycles for beginners are Dunwich Legacy and Path to Carcosa.
Each of these cycles is available in a new release format that splits the expansion into two parts: an Investigator Expansion and a Campaign Expansion. Purchasing both parts ensures that you experience the entire narrative arc as intended, with balanced options for deck building and a complete campaign storyline.
Adding variety without a full expansion
Not ready for another complete cycle yet? There are plenty of add-ons to keep your games fresh:
- Investigator Starter Decks: These decks introduce new characters and provide essential cards that harmonize well with your existing collection. Decks featuring investigators like Stella Clark, Winnifred Habbamock, or Jacqueline Fine are excellent choices for enhancing replay value.
- Standalone scenarios, such as a side-story adventure like Murder At The Excelsior Hotel, offer new challenges without the full commitment of a cycle.
Note: It’s best to postpone buying any Return To products until you have completed the corresponding cycle. These add-ons are designed to remix existing campaigns and assume you already own the base cycle.
Recommended purchase roadmap
To build your Arkham Horror LCG collection efficiently, consider this order:
- Revised Core Set – Your complete introductory kit with the initial campaign.
- Choose your first major cycle – Opt for either Dunwich Legacy or Path to Carcosa (complete with both Investigator and Campaign Expansions).
- Enhance your roster with Investigator Starter Decks for additional character options and versatility.
- Gradually expand with further cycles (such as The Forgotten Age, The Circle Undone, or The Dream Eaters) as your experience grows and your collection deepens.
- Lastly, add standalone adventures and additional products to further diversify your play.
Arkham Horror LCG offers a richly layered campaign that evolves with your decisions, making it a very thrilling and unique board game. Starting with the Revised Core Set provides a firm foundation, after which you can expand into full campaign cycles like Dunwich Legacy or Path to Carcosa. Supplement your journey with Investigator Starter Decks and standalone scenarios to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. With a clear purchase roadmap, you’ll be well-prepared to face the dark mysteries and cosmic horrors that await in Arkham.
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