Arkham Horror 3rd Edition (EN)

From Fantasy Flight Games:

Massachusetts, 1926. Too long has the city of Arkham lived on its placid island of ignorance in the midst of the black seas of infinity. Only a small handful of unlucky investigators dare to now plunge into that abyss, to struggle against the ancient evils that threaten reality from every corner of this New England town.

Arkham Horror Third Edition is a board game of cooperation and cosmic horror for up to six players. Inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, each unique scenario puts you in the shoes of one of Arkham’s investigators as they explore the streets of the city and work together to save humanity from unknowable horrors.

A Creeping Dread
Arkham Horror Third Edition features four different scenarios for players to investigate, and four terrifying Ancient Ones trying to tear reality asunder.

Every scenario features an assortment of archive cards that tell an evolving story in the city of Arkham. No matter which Ancient One you're testing yourself against, each scenario will begin with at least one archive card in your codex, laying the foundation of the investigation. These archive cards will guide you in your investigation by declaring your next objectives, but they will also control the branching narrative.

As you research clues, you’ll add archive cards to the codex that advance the investigation. However, as doom spreads through the city of Arkham, cards will be added to the codex that bring Ancient Ones closer to our reality. When a game begins, it won’t be clear how victory will be achieved, but researching clues and adding more cards to the codex will eventually reveal a resolution. Meanwhile, adding doom to the scenario sheet can lead to a terrifying defeat.

A Haunted City

Each scenario is unique, but they all see investigators moving about Arkham’s darkened streets, searching for clues in a race to stop the arrival of a terrifying Ancient One. During the course of your investigation, you’ll recruit allies, discover ancient spells, and encounter terrifying enemies lurking in the night. On your turn, you may perform two separate actions that cover everything from moving around the city, to researching fragmented clues, to attacking and evading servants of the Ancient Ones spreading doom across Arkham. 

Thanks to a modular board, every scenario has a different layout for the city, and while gathering clues is your primary concern, maintaining your health and sanity is just as important. During your investigation into the bizarre occurrences in our fair city, you’ll come across deranged cultists dedicated to merging our reality with an Ancient One, horrific creatures from nightmares beyond your imagination, and more. These enemies will do everything in their power to bring doom to Arkham, and it’s up to you to stop them.

Deadly Encounters
Arkham is a living, breathing city, and your investigators will have to contend not only with ancient evils, but strange happenings around Arkham itself. During the Encounter Phase, each player will draw an encounter card based on their current neighborhood. These encounter cards provide tell your investigator's unfolding story, as well as putting their skills to the test and offering unique choices. You may take a job at Velma’s Diner, purchase mysterious weapons and items to assist you in your investigation, and more.

Arkham is also a constantly shifting town, with new threats and clues being introduced every turn. The Mythos Phase sees each player pulling tokens which change the board in some new way. New enemies are placed on the board, doom is spread throughout the city and, waiting in the darkness, new clues beckon to our investigators. After this phase, investigators once again begin to explore Arkham. Can they survive with their sanity intact? 

Against All Odds
While the odds may seem impossible, the prolific investigators of Arkham are well accustomed to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Through skill, intellect, the mystic arts, or pure determination, these heroes are a small flame of light in a city of encroaching darkness.

Twelve of these investigators are featured in the game, and each fills an important role in a team. Seekers are experts at collecting and researching the clues that will lead you to victory. Guardians take on the terrors in the night with unyielding strength and determination. Mystics practice the arcane arts, using spells to ward doom and defend against the darkness. Rogues specialize in a specific skill that gives them the edge over their opponents. And finally, Survivors get by with wit, skill, and a little bit of luck.

Every investigator in Arkham Horror Third Edition begins the game with a customizable starting kit. For example, Agnes Baker begins the game with Heirloom of Hyperborea and $3, but also has a choice between two spells: Flesh Ward,  a spell that can protect you and the investigators around you from harm, and Storm of Spirits,  a spell that can repel the horrors lurking in the night.