Arkham Horror LCG Investigator Starter Buying Guide

Quick answer

Buy one core set first, then add investigator starter decks before any campaign expansion. Starter investigators give you working decks and new deckbuilding options for about the price of a single expansion, while campaign boxes assume you already own the core set and enough player cards to survive. If you already own the core set, buy one starter investigator whose class matches the investigator you enjoy most.

What the core set actually gives you

The core set is the only mandatory purchase. It contains the basic tokens, the rules, the first three scenarios, and one small pool of player cards for each class. Without it you cannot play the game at all. That is why every expansion order question starts here: campaign expansions and investigator packs are add-ons, not standalone games.

The tradeoff is that a single core set supports limited deckbuilding. You get enough cards to build two or three functional decks, but not enough copies of key cards to optimize every investigator. If you plan to play with a fixed group of four, a second core set solves the copy problem, but it is a poor first purchase compared with a starter investigator.

Why starter investigators come before campaign expansions

Investigator starter decks are pre-built, playable decks for one investigator, and they include new player cards that expand your deckbuilding pool. They do not include scenarios, so they do not advance the story, but they immediately make your existing core set campaign easier to play and more varied.

A campaign expansion, by contrast, adds new scenarios and a new narrative. It assumes you have a core set and a reasonable card pool. If you buy a campaign first, you will often find your decks too weak for the difficulty curve. The practical order is core set, then one or two investigator starters, then a campaign expansion.

• Buy a starter investigator if you want better decks without learning a new campaign.
• Buy a campaign expansion if you have already completed the core campaign and want new scenarios.
• Do not buy a campaign expansion before the core set; it will not function on its own.

How to choose your first investigator starter

Pick the class you already enjoy. If you like fighting, take a Guardian starter. If you like investigating, take a Seeker starter. Each starter deck is self-contained, so you can play it immediately and then use its cards to improve other decks of the same class.

Do not try to buy every starter at once. One starter plus the core set gives you a complete two-player experience. Add a second starter only when you regularly play with a second person who wants their own deck. This keeps your first purchase focused and avoids duplicate cards sitting unused.

Where accessories fit in the buying order

Accessories do not change the game rules, but they solve real table problems. Chaos tokens are drawn every round, and a token bag that allows a hidden draw protects the randomness of the game. A playmat keeps cards organized and protects them from spills and shuffling wear.

Buy accessories after you own the core set and at least one investigator starter. If you play at a table with limited space, a playmat is the higher priority. If you constantly draw tokens from a loose bag, upgrade the token bag first.

Decision rules for your next purchase

• If you own nothing: Buy one core set. Do not buy any expansion or investigator pack until you have played the core campaign at least once. Core set first, always.
• If you own the core set and want stronger decks: Buy one investigator starter deck that matches the class you enjoy. It is playable immediately and adds cards to your pool. Starter before campaign.
• If you own the core set and have finished its campaign: Buy a campaign expansion for new scenarios. You already have the card pool and rules knowledge to handle it. Campaign after core and starter.
• If you play with tokens on a bare table: Add a token bag with a hidden draw feature and a playmat. These are quality-of-life upgrades, not requirements. Accessories last, unless the table is the problem.

Products that fit this buying path

• Arkham Horror: Chaos Tokens + Token Bag: Arkham Horror: Chaos Tokens + Token Bag includes the 44 Chaos Tokens from the game in an upgraded premium acrylic version, plus a premium Token Bag with a cylindric design that allows for a hidden token draw. This replaces the basic tokens and bag from the core set, and the hidden draw design keeps other players from seeing which token you pull.
• Marvel Champions Game Mat – Guardians of the Galaxy: Marvel Champions Game Mat – Guardians of the Galaxy is a full-color printed, officially licensed game mat made from natural rubber with a softly cushioned surface. If you already use a playmat for card games, this shows the material and size standard Gamegenic uses; check the Arkham Horror accessory line for a matching mat if theme matters to you.
• Marvel Champions: The Card Game - Civil War Expansion: Marvel Champions: The Card Game - Civil War Expansion is a campaign expansion for Marvel Champions, not Arkham Horror, and it requires the Marvel Champions core set. Use it as a comparison point: like Arkham Horror campaign expansions, it is an add-on that assumes you own the base game and a working card pool.

Who should follow this order

Best for

• New players who want a clear first purchase without wasting money
• Players who own the core set and want better decks before a new campaign
• Groups that play at a shared table and need tokens and mats to stay organized

Not for

• Collectors who want every expansion regardless of play order
• Players looking for a standalone game that does not require the core set
• Groups that only play Marvel Champions and do not play Arkham Horror