Been a big fan of the FFG Arkham line for a while now. I've got Arkham Horror, Elder Sign, and probably more Eldritch Horror than is (strictly speaking) sane, but I've put off jumping into this one (FFG already has so many paths into my wallet).

But every time I see it on my LGS' shelves, oh how I lust.

So tell me. If I buy in with the intent of mostly just playing by myself or with my buddy, can I get away with just getting one core plus the two big box expansions to start?

Not sure I want to pick up any packs until I know how much staying power the game will have for me.

What's the "standard" buy-in?

If it's just you plus maybe one you can get away with a single core set just fine. But you don't want to buy both deluxe expansions right away. Each campaign cycle consists of one deluxe expansion and then 6 Mythos Packs. It's set up like modules of an RPG campaign. Each deluxe expansion has the first two scenarios of a campaign and each mythos pack a single scenario plus a few player cards. I would recommend buying the core set, play through the three scenario campaign included to make sure you like it, then focus on one campaign cycle at a time. Each cycle is its own separate story.

And each deluxe expansion has an additional set of investigators with some additional player cards as well.

Seriously, buy a core set and play the game. You'll want to run the 3 scenarios in the box a couple of times anyway to get the hang of the rules. By then you'll know if this game is for you. Before that, I would not think about deck building options or more investigators.

But if you want to get into the game, you'll have to make your peace with buying mythos packs sooner or later. If you don't want to afford that, better stay away before you're hooked.

I would just start with a single core, play through that once or twice (winning is hard).

If you like it, I would make the decision if you want a second core and buy into one big box expansions potentially with its mythos packs.

As others have said, this is the best way to buy into this game. Play through the Core Set campaign several times with different two investigator teams to decide if you want to buy more. If so...

1. Purchase a Core Set.
   1. You'll get 5 investigators, their signature cards (2 each), 1 copy each of 70 player cards, 2 copies each of 7 player cards, 4 copies each of 3 player cards and a set of basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get a self contained 3 scenario campaign.
2. Purchase the Dunwich Legacy deluxe expansion.
   1. You'll get 5 investigators, their signature cards (2 each), 2 copies each of 21 player cards and 3 additional basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get the first 2 scenarios in the Dunwich Legacy campaign plus all of the objective sets used for the Dunwich Legacy mythos packs.
3. Purchase the Dunwich Legacy mythos packs in order.
   1. In each pack, you'll get 2 copies each of between 11 and 14 player cards.
   2. In each pack, you'll get the next scenario for the Dunwich Legacy campaign.
4. Purchase the Path to Carcosa deluxe expansion.
   1. You'll get 6 investigators, their signature cards (2-6 each), 2 copies each of 20 player cards and 3 additional basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get the first 2 scenarios in the Path to Carcosa campaign plus all of the objective sets used for the Path to Carcosa mythos packs.
5. Purchase the Path to Carcosa mythos packs in order.
   1. In each pack, you'll get 2 copies each of between 11 and 14 player cards.
   2. In each pack, you'll get the next scenario for the Dunwich Legacy campaign.
6. Announced, but unreleased: Purchase the Forgotten Age deluxe expansion... etc, etc.

Purchase a second Core Set as early as possible. You're picking up a second copy of 70 player cards, plus additional copies of neutral cards that are common deck additions. Having a second core set allows you to build more focused decks, with 2 each of good Core Set cards instead of 1 each.

Purchase the standalone scenario packs (Curse of the Rougarou & Carnevale of Horrors) whenever you want. They don't come with player cards used for deck building, but do have a handful of story reward player cards and are quite fun. I'd recommend buying them after you have a second Core Set. They can be pretty challenging without the extra deck building options.

If you're super into the game and want everything, also buy the following books.

1. Hour of the Huntress - Alternate artwork Jenny Barnes investigator cards plus new signature cards for her.
2. Dirge of Reason - Alternate artwork Roland Banks investigator cards plus new signature cards for him.
3. Ire of the Void - Alternate artwork Norman Withers investigator cards plus new signature cards for him.
   1. Norman Withers will be released in a future deluxe expansion. This is currently the only way to get him.
4. Announced, but unreleased: To Fight the Black Wind - Alternate artwork Carolyn Fern investigator cards plus new signature cards for her.
   1. Carolyn Fern will be released in a future deluxe expansion. This is currently the only way to get her.

I'd only add to KrisWall's post that you can do Carcosa before Dunwich if the story sounds more interesting to you. Dunwich had a lot of great cards, but so has Carcosa, including some that are excellent for Dunwich.

1 hour ago, CSerpent said:

I'd only add to KrisWall's post that you can do Carcosa before Dunwich if the story sounds more interesting to you. Dunwich had a lot of great cards, but so has Carcosa, including some that are excellent for Dunwich.

You can, certainly, but I think it's fair to say that Carcosa has a more sophisticated design, and going backwards might make it feel like Dunwich is lacking.

44 minutes ago, HolySorcerer said:

You can, certainly, but I think it's fair to say that Carcosa has a more sophisticated design, and going backwards might make it feel like Dunwich is lacking.

That is specifically why I'd put Dunwich first. While I think both showcase some really fantastic game design, Carcosa pushes the envelope a bit farther. I would expect that Forgotten Age will push things even farther.

Also... Carcosa's final pack isn't out yet. If you go all in TODAY and start playing, you'd have to wait a month or so to get the last scenario.

All of this is sound advice. I would only add this: pace yourself. Don't go out and buy everything at once.

Get the core. The campaign included is excellent for new players. The first scenario serves as an excellent tutorial. I would recommend you keep the book Learn To Play handy for rules and questions. Rules Reference is also good, but there is a reason why FFG wants you to read that second. The second scenario has a more traditional Arkham Horror feel with traveling to the various locations. The final scenario serves as a reminder that your choices within the game matters.

If you feel the game is for you keep this in mind: the core game costs roughly $40 USD. Deluxe expansions start each cycles and costs $30 and each Mythos pack costs $15 each. There are 6 packs to a cycle (it's an LCG thing). Currently, the only completed cycle is Dunwich Legacy. The Path To Carcosa Cycle is in its fifth mythos pack as of last Thursday (today being 2/26). Let's do the math. If you want the single most basic experience, just buy the core set ($40). If you want to play a full campaign, there is the Dunwich Cycle (1 deluxe expansion and 6 mythos packs in addition to the core set: $160). If you want to play the most current campaign, and don't mind waiting between scenarios, there is the Path to Carcosa (core+deluxe expansion+5 mythos packs $145). If you want the full player card set, in which case, you will need a second core (everything minus the novels and stand alone packs is over $300)

Stand alone scenarios cost $15 per pack. They don't add player cards but they can be supplemented into campaigns for added experience and rewards (with the exception of the upcoming Labyrinths of Lunacy which is strictly stand alone due to its epic multi player feature).

I do recommend the books. The added cards do make for some added options, plus the books are entertaining. I recommend buying them one at a time and reading them as you buy them. The line reads like an anthology series, so there is no particular order. Each book is roughly $15.

8 hours ago, KrisWall said:

As others have said, this is the best way to buy into this game. Play through the Core Set campaign several times with different two investigator teams to decide if you want to buy more. If so...

1. Purchase a Core Set.
   1. You'll get 5 investigators, their signature cards (2 each), 1 copy each of 70 player cards, 2 copies each of 7 player cards, 4 copies each of 3 player cards and a set of basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get a self contained 3 scenario campaign.
2. Purchase the Dunwich Legacy deluxe expansion.
   1. You'll get 5 investigators, their signature cards (2 each), 2 copies each of 21 player cards and 3 additional basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get the first 2 scenarios in the Dunwich Legacy campaign plus all of the objective sets used for the Dunwich Legacy mythos packs.
3. Purchase the Dunwich Legacy mythos packs in order.
   1. In each pack, you'll get 2 copies each of between 11 and 14 player cards.
   2. In each pack, you'll get the next scenario for the Dunwich Legacy campaign.
4. Purchase the Path to Carcosa deluxe expansion.
   1. You'll get 6 investigators, their signature cards (2-6 each), 2 copies each of 20 player cards and 3 additional basic weaknesses.
   2. You'll get the first 2 scenarios in the Path to Carcosa campaign plus all of the objective sets used for the Path to Carcosa mythos packs.
5. Purchase the Path to Carcosa mythos packs in order.
   1. In each pack, you'll get 2 copies each of between 11 and 14 player cards.
   2. In each pack, you'll get the next scenario for the Dunwich Legacy campaign.
6. Announced, but unreleased: Purchase the Forgotten Age deluxe expansion... etc, etc.

Purchase a second Core Set as early as possible. You're picking up a second copy of 70 player cards, plus additional copies of neutral cards that are common deck additions. Having a second core set allows you to build more focused decks, with 2 each of good Core Set cards instead of 1 each.

Purchase the standalone scenario packs (Curse of the Rougarou & Carnevale of Horrors) whenever you want. They don't come with player cards used for deck building, but do have a handful of story reward player cards and are quite fun. I'd recommend buying them after you have a second Core Set. They can be pretty challenging without the extra deck building options.

If you're super into the game and want everything, also buy the following books.

1. Hour of the Huntress - Alternate artwork Jenny Barnes investigator cards plus new signature cards for her.
2. Dirge of Reason - Alternate artwork Roland Banks investigator cards plus new signature cards for him.
3. Ire of the Void - Alternate artwork Norman Withers investigator cards plus new signature cards for him.
   1. Norman Withers will be released in a future deluxe expansion. This is currently the only way to get him.
4. Announced, but unreleased: To Fight the Black Wind - Alternate artwork Carolyn Fern investigator cards plus new signature cards for her.
   1. Carolyn Fern will be released in a future deluxe expansion. This is currently the only way to get her.

That was very thorough. Thank you.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'll keep this all well in mind if I decide to hop in. I'm a big fan of the mythos, so odds are sooner or later I will (curse you FFG).

Though, with Star Wars Legion on the horizon...