Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

Mar 15,25

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of games, so much so that we've divided them into two comprehensive guides. This buying guide focuses on the various board games; for the deck-building card games, please refer to our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise of horror board games where players collaborate on thrilling missions, requiring excellent communication to succeed. The games offer diverse gameplay paths depending on chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns, making them equally enjoyable as solo or group experiences. Even solo play can provide hours of engaging gameplay.

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Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
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Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
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Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
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Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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Elder Sign

Elder Sign
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Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion

Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion

Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
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Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion

Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
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Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
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Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep

Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
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Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
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Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
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Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
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Unfathomable

Unfathomable
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Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror
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Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion

Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion

Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
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Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
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Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
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For a quick jump to the games and expansions, scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper dive into the connections between the games and the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
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MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where teams of investigators battle terrifying creatures. Choose from six investigators, solve mysteries, and defeat monstrous foes across multiple campaigns. The game features a significant element of chance, influencing both success and failure, leading to high replayability. However, be warned: this is a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime. While solo play is possible, success requires persistence and strategic thinking.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance the base Arkham Horror game:

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion
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MSRP: $59.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This large expansion introduces underwater horrors, eight new investigators, and four new scenarios, venturing beyond the city limits into the depths of the sea.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion
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MSRP: $44.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios, three investigators, and explores the French Hill neighborhood, introducing new ghosts and monsters.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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MSRP: $32.99 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This smaller expansion offers two new scenarios and four investigators, focusing on nighttime horrors.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several standalone Arkham Horror board games offer unique adventures within the universe:

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

Elder Sign
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MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+

Elder Sign, a dice-rolling game, is the most accessible title in the Arkham Files franchise. Players work together to solve mysteries before time runs out, rolling dice to complete tasks and fight monsters. It's a standalone game with six expansions.

Elder Sign Expansions

Six expansions enhance Elder Sign: Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Grave Consequences is a standalone deck playable with or without the core game.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
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MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This app-driven dungeon crawler blends physical components with a digital narrative experience. The app guides setup, gameplay, and story progression, offering a unique blend of tactical gameplay and immersive storytelling. The app also allows for saving and resuming gameplay.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two app-driven expansions are available: Path of the Serpent and Beyond the Threshold.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

Unfathomable
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MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+

Unfathomable features social deduction as players attempt to escape a monster-infested sea vessel. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a layer of suspense and intrigue. It’s best suited for larger groups.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

This expansion introduces new prelude cards, monstrous horrors, skills, items, and boon cards.

Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror
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MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, contrasting with the Arkham-centric focus of other games. It features a quicker setup and simpler rules than Arkham Horror, making it more accessible to a wider range of players. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

Eight expansions are available: Forsaken Lore, Mountains of Madness, Strange Remnants, Under the Pyramids, Signs of Carcosa, The Dreamlands, Cities in Ruin, and Masks of Nyarlathotep.

Other Ways to Play

Beyond board games, the Arkham Horror universe extends to digital platforms and tabletop roleplaying games:

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

This TTRPG offers a new way to experience the Arkham Horror universe. The Hungering Abyss Starter Set provides an accessible introduction, while the Core Rulebook expands on the gameplay.

Video Game Versions

Digital versions of Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace and Elder Sign: Omens are available on various platforms.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers a diverse range of games for solo and group play, catering to various preferences and experience levels. While challenging, these games provide immersive and highly replayable experiences within the Lovecraftian universe. Consider the complexity and playtime before selecting a game to suit your gaming group's preferences.

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