I'm very new to the game and only own the core game right now. I'm going to Arkham Nights. I bought the game to play solo, which is perfect for me. I love what I've experienced so far. I was playing Gloomhaven solo but it's too fiddly for my taste and ended up selling it to a member of my gaming group.

I plan an getting deep into this game. I've a read a lot of this forum for basic tips but haven't really seen anything on "must have" cards for the meta. The main reason I ask is that I would like to construct a halfway decent deck for the event and not be a total burden on any group I play with. I see Delve to Deep mentioned a lot, so I assume that's one. Some suggestions and which pack they come from would be great. I probably won't buy more than 3 packs, due to budget constraints so that I have money for for anything at the Arkham Nights even that catches my fancy.

Thanks! in advance.

Delve too Deep will not be useful for the event at Arkham Nights for just a single scenario. Its only use is for gaining added experience over the course of a campaign. There are plenty of useful cards, but it would help to know what faction you plan on playing (guardian/seeker/rogue/survivor/mystic).

More so than even faction (thanks @Soakman ), which investigator or investigators do you favour at the moment? Deckbuilding in Arkham isn't so much faction-specific (although there are popular universal cards for a faction) as investigator-specific... ArkhamDB is a great resource for looking up decks by investigator, especially as some come with detailed write-ups as to why choices have been made and piloting tips, too.

There was a problem last year (GenCon & Arkham Nights). You cannot have cards in your deck that are either Story Assets (rewards from previous scenarios) or discovered version of cards (shown below).

As we're playing a Standalone Mode scenario, you can put cards in your deck that have an XP by taking additional basic weakness (in the quote below). However, you will not have a preexisting campaign log. Because you have no preexisting campaign log, you can neither replace a card that is already in your deck, nor can you have identified/translated a card.

Simply put, you cannot have the upgraded version of any of these 3 cards in your deck (and none of these cards is useful un-upgraded).

Last year's Labyrinth of Lunacy was competitive - 3 groups of 4, only 1 (if any) can win (escape alive). I know of a group that played against a team who had 3 players with upgraded versions of these cards. Not good.

***

For Stand-Alone Mode Deckbuilding, page 19:

Quote

When building a deck for a standalone game, an investigator may use higher level cards in his or her deck (so long as they observe the deckbuilding restrictions of the investigator) by counting the total experience of all the higher level cards used in the deck, and taking additional random basic weaknesses based on the following table:

• 0-9 experience: 0 additional random basic weaknesses
• 10-19 experience: 1 additional random basic weakness
• 20-29 experience: 2 additional random basic weaknesses
• 30-39 experience: 3 additional random basic weaknesses
• 40-49 experience: 4 additional random basic weaknesses
• A player cannot include 50 or more experience worth of cards in a standalone deck.

It's pretty normal for people to use 19 or 29 XP in their character's deck for this kind of event.

6 minutes ago, Duciris said:

Last year's Labyrinth of Lunacy was competitive - 3 groups of 4, only 1 (if any) can win (escape alive). I know of a group that played against a team who had 3 players with upgraded versions of these cards. Not good.

The rest of your post is spot on, but that's not how the scenario works at all (and not what we were told at GenCon). Groups have to cooperate, and the scenario mechanics promote that (exchanging cards, resources and information, helping in the boss fight).

22 minutes ago, Duciris said:

Simply put, you cannot have the upgraded version of any of these 3 cards in your deck (and none of these cards is useful un-upgraded).

You don't think spending four actions, occupying a hand slot, and discarding three cards to gain five resources is useful?

23 minutes ago, Khudzlin said:

The rest of your post is spot on, but that's not how the scenario works at all (and not what we were told at GenCon). Groups have to cooperate, and the scenario mechanics promote that (exchanging cards, resources and information, helping in the boss fight).

It's a scenario I've never been able to do, but always wanted to.

35 minutes ago, Duciris said:

It's a scenario I've never been able to do, but always wanted to.

Then I hope you find an opportunity to do so in epic multiplayer mode.

8 hours ago, zooeyglass said:

More so than even faction (thanks @Soakman ), which investigator or investigators do you favour at the moment? Deckbuilding in Arkham isn't so much faction-specific (although there are popular universal cards for a faction) as investigator-specific... ArkhamDB is a great resource for looking up decks by investigator, especially as some come with detailed write-ups as to why choices have been made and piloting tips, too.

Right now. all I have is the core set. I will be buying Dunwhich Legacy on Friday. Right now, Skids O'Toole is my favorite. Daisy Walker is a close second. Roland would be third. I don't really care for Agnes or Wendy.

Daisy Advice: You want a second core for. Mind over Matter, Old Book of Lore and Encyclopedias are too good not to have 2 of each in the deck. Miskatonic Museum will give Pathfinder and "I've Got a Plan" which are good on her as well. I also like Level 2 Deduction from the Essex County Express. Higher Education from Blood on the Altar is really good too.

I will let someone else provide recommendations for Skids. He was originally my favorite but I always struggle to build him in a way that addresses his strengths and weaknesses in what I consider an adequate manner.

I'm not much of a Rogue player (although I am liking Finn in Forgotten Age), but as @zooeyglass pointed out, Arkhamdb.com is an excellent resource for this type of work. You can specify which sets you own and search for decks that build particular classes using cards limited to your available collections (sounds like Core and Dunwich). Quick search shows a popular (21 heart) deck for Skids tagged for "solo, multiplayer, beginner" (called "1 Core + Dunwich Series: Skids") which might be a good one to start with. It even has a fair amount of commentary about its construction.

Edit: Anyone know how to easily make the reference to zooeyglass a link? Do I need to manually include the URL?

Thanks @General Zodd .

1 hour ago, Eeyogre said:

I'm not much of a Rogue player (although I am liking Finn in Forgotten Age), but as @zooeyglass pointed out, Arkhamdb.com is an excellent resource for this type of work. You can specify which sets you own and search for decks that build particular classes using cards limited to your available collections (sounds like Core and Dunwich). Quick search shows a popular (21 heart) deck for Skids tagged for "solo, multiplayer, beginner" (called "1 Core + Dunwich Series: Skids") which might be a good one to start with. It even has a fair amount of commentary about its construction.

Edit: Anyone know how to easily make the reference to zooeyglass a link? Do I need to manually include the URL?

You just type @zooeyglass and a dialogue box should open up with a drop down of all users with a name starting with the characters you’ve already typed. Then just select the one you want!

I feel so loved!

I'd build a Clueing deck, a Stabby deck, and maybe a Fun deck so you can fill any gaps your group has or just have some fun.

Any "must have" cards would therefore depend on what the deck is trying to accomplish. Some things should never go into a standalone deck like Delve Too Deep, Charon's Obol, and the other cards that generate bonus exp (since exp won't matter.) Generally though, I'd just try and maximize the fun had by everybody at the table (no griefing without consent.)

5 minutes ago, Iuchi Toshimo said:

(no griefing without consent.)

Yeah, I'd skip the "Seriously, WTF Jenny?!" build on arkhamdb's website unless you really know the people you are playing with.

1 hour ago, Eeyogre said:

I'm not much of a Rogue player (although I am liking Finn in Forgotten Age), but as @zooeyglass pointed out, Arkhamdb.com is an excellent resource for this type of work. You can specify which sets you own and search for decks that build particular classes using cards limited to your available collections (sounds like Core and Dunwich). Quick search shows a popular (21 heart) deck for Skids tagged for "solo, multiplayer, beginner" (called "1 Core + Dunwich Series: Skids") which might be a good one to start with. It even has a fair amount of commentary about its construction.

Edit: Anyone know how to easily make the reference to zooeyglass a link? Do I need to manually include the URL?

Yup. Start with @, then any letter and it should give you suggestions.

1 hour ago, Jobu said:

Daisy Advice: You want a second core for. Mind over Matter, Old Book of Lore and Encyclopedias are too good not to have 2 of each in the deck. Miskatonic Museum will give Pathfinder and "I've Got a Plan" which are good on her as well. I also like Level 2 Deduction from the Essex County Express. Higher Education from Blood on the Altar is really good too.

Daisy (my Main) is really handy with the Tomes. Getting Research Librarian into play ($2) gets you to search your deck for a Tome. He's a 1/1 without any other stats, and you're limited to 1 ally (without Charisma , a 3XP neutral card from Dunwich Pack#2: The Essex County Express which is a permanent (starts in play) that gives you an extra ally slot) so let him soak a damage/horror if you can to get rid of him. Otherwise, when you play another ally, you discard assets from play until you have your max. Do either when you have the chance and get Dr. Milan Christopher into play. He gives you +1INT (bringing her to 6) and you get a free resource every time you successfully investigate. This is any investigate - things like Seeking Answers (Dunwich Deluxe) or In the Know (Carcosa Deluxe) or the test on Jenny Barns signature weakness, Searching for Izzie .

Her ability is a free tome-action, so getting one out as quickly as possible gets you the best use. There are 3 in the core set: Medical Texts (to keep people alive), Old Book of Lore (which lets you tutor 1 from the top 3 of any investigator's deck while that investigator is at your location) and Encyclopedia (to increase any 1 stat of any 1 investigator at your location until the end of the phase by 2). The last 2 exhaust the card, but you can have 2 copies of either in play if you deem it necessary - say to up someone's stat by 4 for a phase.

The only other tome she'd be able to add that is not in the core set is from Carcosa Pack#2: The Unspeakable Oath, Book of Shadow (1) . This tome is only useful to Daisy if she has enough spells in her deck, as she would use it to trade 1 resource for 1 spell charge.

A last note on tomes, remember that her weakness is a tome and so can be held in her Tote Bag and she can use her bonus action on it.

She's a bit squishy, but I love playing as her.

Sabrjay,

keep in mind that these scenarios are really tough on players (sayin' this because since you're new to the game, I don't want you to dislike it in case you're crushed by the scenario), and I've got the feeling this one will be particularly nasty. So, I'd say not to worry too much about the meta (much changes according also to whom the other investigators in your team are), but go for the adventure (and I'm not talking only of AH LCG: in general, Arkham Nights is something many of us can only dream of)

5 hours ago, Julia said:

Sabrjay,

keep in mind that these scenarios are really tough on players (sayin' this because since you're new to the game, I don't want you to dislike it in case you're crushed by the scenario), and I've got the feeling this one will be particularly nasty. So, I'd say not to worry too much about the meta (much changes according also to whom the other investigators in your team are), but go for the adventure (and I'm not talking only of AH LCG: in general, Arkham Nights is something many of us can only dream of)

I am a longtime gamer and former store owner. I don't mind difficult, especially when it's a special event like this. The last con I attended was 4 years ago when I went to GenCon. I had open heart surgery shortly after that and took a break form life for about 2 years so I could recover properly. I'm really looking forward to this, especially since I only live 25 minutes away.

Go for it then, and have a ton of fun!!!!

Which cards are a must have you ask?

All of them!

Just kidding. I am a completionist. This comment wasn't helpful at all

17 hours ago, sabrjay said:

Right now. all I have is the core set. I will be buying Dunwhich Legacy on Friday. Right now, Skids O'Toole is my favorite. Daisy Walker is a close second. Roland would be third. I don't really care for Agnes or Wendy.

If you are worried about having a strong deck (and I'm not saying you should be!) then I've had a look back through the Dunwich mythos packs (I'm assuming you'll be wanting to buy these next anyway if you are picking up The Dunwich Legacy) and tried to pick out a few cards that I like and the packs they come in, broken down by class:

• Guardian: Prepared for the Worst ( Blood on the Altar ), Vicious Blow [2] and Lightning Gun (both Lost in Time and Space ).
• Seeker: Deduction [2] ( The Essex County Express ), Higher Education ( Blood on the Altar ).
• Rogue: Switchblade [2] ( The Essex County Express ), Streetwise ( Blood on the Altar ), Chicago Typewriter and The Gold Pocket Watch (both Lost in Time and Space ).
• Mystic: Shrivelling [3] ( The Essex County Express ) and/or Shrivelling [5] ( Lost in Time and Space ), Rite of Seeking [4] ( Undimensioned and Unseen ), Fearless [2] ( Where Doom Awaits ).
• Survivor: Stroke of Luck ( Where Doom Awaits ), Aquinnah [3] ( Lost in Time and Space ).
• Neutral: Charisma ( The Essex County Express ).

If you have a look through the investigators in the Dunwich Legacy and see if any of them take your fancy, then post with your investigator of choice and what you like about them I'm sure everyone here will do their best to offer advice... And if you choose Skids O'Toole he comes with the added benefit that some people might not expect him to be particularly effective anyway

I also personally think that Scene of the Crime is a great guardian card that Skids can take (but it is from an FA pack, Threads of Fate). You may also want to consider anything that boosts your willpower (or at least a couple of guts) in the case that there are some nasty encounter cards that you need to pass. Don't waste cards on encounters you are pretty sure you won't pass anyway, but you might want a couple will boosting cards just for an emergency.

The post above is pretty spot on, but despite loving Rogue hybrids, I don't use skids much either.

The more I play and read about Daisy Walker, the more she is becoming my favorite and will probably build a deck around her for Arkham Nights.

1 hour ago, sabrjay said:

The more I play and read about Daisy Walker, the more she is becoming my favorite and will probably build a deck around her for Arkham Nights.

@Jobu and @Duciris gave some good Daisy advice earlier in the thread. Good luck, and don't forget your Bulletproof Vest!