Building the best deck in Arkham Horror: The Card Game (LCG) can feel overwhelming, especially for new players. With countless cards, investigators, and strategies to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the complexities. But don’t worry—we’re here to simplify everything! This guide will walk you through creating the best deck step by step, with tips for beginners and advanced players alike.
Let’s dive in and uncover what makes a winning deck, which investigators to choose, and how to balance your deck for any campaign. Whether you’re gearing up for a solo adventure or a cooperative game, this guide has you covered.
What Makes the Best Deck in Arkham Horror LCG?
In Arkham Horror LCG, the best deck is one that supports your investigator’s strengths while compensating for their weaknesses. A great deck allows you to excel at completing scenarios by efficiently solving clues, handling enemies, and managing your resources. But building such a deck requires careful planning.
Here are the key ingredients for a strong deck:
- Investigator Synergy: Your deck should complement the abilities and strengths of your chosen investigator(s). For example, investigators like Roland Banks thrive with decks that balance combat and clue-gathering.
- Balanced Composition: A well-rounded deck includes cards for combat, clues, resources, and support. Avoid overloading your deck with one type of card (e.g., too many combat cards) unless it fits your investigator’s role.
- Scalability: The best decks work across various campaigns. They can handle unexpected challenges, adapt to different scenarios, and survive tough encounters.
Ultimately, the best deck is the one that matches your playstyle while ensuring you can complete the scenario objectives effectively.
Top Investigator Picks for the Best Deck
The Best Starter Investigators
For beginners, here are some top investigator picks to help you build a reliable deck:
- Roland Banks (Guardian)
- Roland is a fantastic choice for new players because he excels at both combat and clue-gathering. His special ability rewards you for defeating enemies, making him versatile for almost any scenario. Pair him with weapons like Machete or .45 Automatic and clue-finding cards like Working a Hunch for an effective deck.
- Daisy Walker (Seeker)
- Daisy specializes in gathering clues, which makes her invaluable for completing objectives. With her high intellect, she can solve clues with ease. Include cards like Old Book of Lore and Magnifying Glass in her deck to enhance her strengths.
- Wendy Adams (Survivor)
- Wendy is an excellent choice for players who enjoy adaptability. She can evade enemies with her high agility and recover from setbacks thanks to her Survivor class cards. Use cards like Lucky! and Baseball Bat to support her gameplay.
Advanced Picks for Experienced Players
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might want to experiment with more complex investigators:
- Zoey Samaras (Guardian): Zoey is a combat powerhouse who gains resources whenever an enemy engages her. She’s perfect for enemy-heavy scenarios.
- Rex Murphy (Seeker): Rex is a clue-finding expert with an ability that lets him uncover multiple clues at once.
- Jim Culver (Mystic): Jim offers a unique approach to handling chaos tokens, making him an intriguing choice for advanced players.
Investigator Pairings for Co-op Games
If you’re playing with friends, consider these investigator pairings for a balanced team:
- Roland Banks + Daisy Walker: Roland handles combat while Daisy focuses on gathering clues. This duo is perfect for two-player games.
- Zoey Samaras + Wendy Adams: Zoey takes care of enemies, and Wendy excels at evasion and adaptability, creating a strong dynamic.
- Jim Culver + Rex Murphy: Jim’s Mystic abilities can support Rex’s clue-finding expertise, making them a great choice for campaigns.
Must-Have Cards for a Winning Deck
No matter which investigator you choose, some cards are essential for building a powerful deck. These include:
- Weapons: Cards like Machete and Shrivelling are vital for combat.
- Clue Tools: Include cards like Deduction or Flashlight to make gathering clues easier.
- Resource Generators: Cards like Emergency Cache ensure you always have resources when needed.
- Healing: Include cards like First Aid to recover from damage and horror.
How to Balance Your Deck for Any Campaign
A balanced deck is key to surviving campaigns in Arkham Horror LCG. To achieve this, you’ll need to include a mix of cards that address different aspects of gameplay.
- Combat vs. Clues: Determine whether your investigator is better at combat or clue-gathering. If they excel at one, ensure your deck compensates for the other.
- Economy: Include cards that generate resources or reduce costs (Emergency Cache, Uncage the Soul).
- Adaptability: Add cards that help you adapt to various situations, like Lucky! for skill checks or Ward of Protection to cancel treacheries.
Keep your deck at 30 cards for efficiency. Avoid stuffing it with unnecessary cards, as this will reduce your chances of drawing the ones you need.
Cards for Combat and Clues
In Arkham Horror LCG, success often depends on your ability to handle combat and solve clues. Here’s a breakdown of the best cards for each:
Combat Cards
- Weapons: Cards like .45 Automatic and Machete are essential for Guardians and combat-focused investigators. Mystics can use Shrivelling for magical attacks.
- Damage Boosters: Cards like Vicious Blow increase your damage output, making it easier to defeat tougher enemies.
- Evasion Tools: If you prefer to avoid combat, cards like Dodge and Survival Instinct are invaluable.
Clue-Finding Cards
- Tools: Cards like Magnifying Glass and Flashlight enhance your ability to discover clues.
- Skills: Include cards like Perception to boost your skill checks.
- Special Abilities: Use cards like Deduction to uncover multiple clues at once.
Essential Resources and Support Cards
Resource management is critical in Arkham Horror LCG. Without enough resources, you won’t be able to play your best cards. Include these in your deck:
- Resource Generators: Cards like Emergency Cache and Dr. Milan Christopher provide consistent resources.
- Healing Cards: Use First Aid and Liquid Courage to recover from damage and horror.
- Skill Boosters: Include cards like Unexpected Courage to help with difficult skill checks.
Avoiding Common Deck-Building Mistakes
Even experienced players can make mistakes when building their decks. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Overloading Your Deck: Stick to the 30-card limit for consistency. Adding too many cards reduces your chances of drawing the ones you need.
- Ignoring Investigator Strengths: Build your deck around your investigator’s abilities. Don’t force combat cards into a Seeker’s deck if they aren’t effective in combat.
- Neglecting Resource Management: Always include enough cards to generate resources or reduce costs.
Budget-Friendly Deck Ideas for Beginners
If you’re just starting and don’t have access to a large card pool, here are some budget-friendly deck ideas:
- Roland Banks Starter Deck: Focus on basic Guardian cards like Machete, Dodge, and Evidence!
- Daisy Walker Starter Deck: Use affordable Seeker cards like Old Book of Lore, Magnifying Glass, and Research Librarian.
Advanced Deck-Building Tips for Veterans
For experienced players, consider these advanced strategies:
- Customizing for Campaigns: Tailor your deck to the specific challenges of each campaign. For example, include more combat cards for enemy-heavy scenarios.
- Synergizing Player Roles: In co-op games, build decks that complement your teammates’ roles. For instance, pair a combat-focused Guardian with a clue-focused Seeker.
- Upgrading Your Deck: Use experience points to purchase powerful cards like Ace in the Hole or The Red-Gloved Man.
How to Build Around Weaknesses
Every investigator has weaknesses, but a well-built deck can mitigate them. Here’s how:
- Include Versatile Cards: Use cards that work in multiple situations (Lucky!, Ward of Protection).
- Balance Your Stats: Add cards that boost your weaker stats, such as Physical Training for low combat investigators.
- Plan for Your Weakness Card: Each investigator has a unique weakness card. Include cards that counter or minimize its impact.
The Bottom Line
Building the best deck in Arkham Horror LCG is all about balancing your investigator’s strengths, covering their weaknesses, and preparing for the unexpected. By choosing the right investigators, including essential cards, and tailoring your deck to each campaign, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Remember, the best deck isn’t always the most powerful—it’s the one that fits your playstyle and helps you enjoy the game. So, experiment, learn from your mistakes, and most importantly, have fun unravelling the mysteries of Arkham!
