Miskatonic Horror
For Miskatonic Horror, the ninth expansion for the Arkham Horror board game, Fantasy Flight Games decided to go in a different direction. Instead of introducing a new setting taken from H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, they released a supplement adding even more playability to previous expansions. So whether you own Innsmouth Horror, The King in Yellow, or one of the six other releases that expands upon the basic Arkham Horror game, you’ll be able to create even more challenges and rewards for your party of investigators.
Components for Miskatonic Horror
The following are the new components available in the Miskatonic
Horror expansion set. Since these items are intended to act as a
supplement for other Arkham Horror products, you’ll need to own all
eight previous expansions to take full advantage of what’s in the box.
Player Reference Sheets (4) - These sheets provide data about elements of Arkham Horror that change due to the number of players (the monster limit, for example).
Dunwich Horror Cards (6) - When players face the Dunwich Horror in combat, these cards will shake things up by providing the monster with previously unseen stats and abilities.
Dunwich Horror Herald Sheet (1) - The creature raised in the farmhouse of the diabolical Whateleys now has its own herald sheet.
Mythos Cards (43) - Details major events in Arkham and other cities. New additions include Bank Targeted by Grifters, Infestation of Rats, New Moon, and To Conquer Death.
Act Cards (4) - These cards are meant to replace those included in The King in Yellow supplement. They track the progress of the city’s demise, as the fateful play comes closer to its grand performance.
Exhibit Encounter Cards (9) - If Arkham Horror investigators perform the action indicated on the card, they will receive an exhibit item as a reward.
Exhibit Items (5) - New items include Book of the Dead, Execration Text, Image of the Dark Pharaoh, Serpent Crown and Twin Scepters.
Skill Cards (7) - New skills for investigators include Egyptologist, Painter, Performer, and Clairvoyant.
Kingsport Location Cards (80) - Descriptions of encounters (both good and ill) that occur throughout the city of Kingsport.
Gate Cards (56) - More sanity-blasting encounters for investigators as they journey through the Other Worlds.
Agent Tokens (38) - Only used when the Bureau of Investigation institution is in play, these tokens represent federal agents who are keeping an eye on the streets of Arkham and other expansion cities.
Madness Cards (12) - Players may choose to take one of these cards if they are reduced to zero sanity. New examples include Hallucinations, Panic, and Violent Outbursts.
Innsmouth Location Cards (60) - Additional areas to explore in the dreary coastal town of Innsmouth.
Innsmouth Look Cards (5) - More strange abilities for those who are descended from the Deep Ones.
Injuries Cards (12) - More injuries to assail your investigators, including Allergic Reactions, Heart Damage and Seizures.
Dunwich Location Cards (60) - Offers more areas to explore in the gloomy town of Dunwich.
Miskatonic Student Cards (8) - The Miskatonic University institution must be in play for these cards to be active. When they are, the cards offer a clue token to students in the science building or any area with an expedition marker. Investigators can also become Miskatonic alumnus and gain an extra skill.
Reckoning Cards (14) - Only in effect when the Lurker at the Threshold is the herald, these cards represent the blessings and curses bestowed on those who’ve entered into a dark pact.
Epic Battle Cards (8) - Two new types of Battle Cards are introduced for the final showdown with the Ancient One: Battle Events and Battle Conditions. Both represent outside factors that can aid or hinder investigators as they attempt to combat the ultimate evil.
Expedition Markers (3) - Each marker represents a team of Miskatonic scholars who have relocated to another city to study the supernatural. These only come into play when the Miskatonic University institution is used.
Relationship Cards (6) - Special cards that detail the unique relationship between two investigators and offer bonuses during gameplay.
Blessings of Nodens Cards (6) - Used when Nodens is active as the guardian, these guards give extra benefits to characters who are blessed.
Institution Sheets (3) - The various institutions that are available to help players in exchange for resources. These include Miskatonic University, Organized Crime and The Bureau of Investigations.
Visions of Hypnos Cards (16) - These helpful cards are only active when the Elder God Hypnos is used as a guardian.
Cult Encounter Cards (24) - These cards are drawn by players who’ve become a member of the “One of the Thousand” cult in the Black Goat of the Woods expansion. New cards include Blood of the Beast, What Little of You Remains, and several more.
Blight Cards (7) - Only used when the King in Yellow is in play as a herald, these cards represent notable Arkham citizens who have been driven mad after seeing a performance of “The King in Yellow.”
Miskatonic Horror Rules
The Miskatonic Horror rules work the same way as in previous expansions, although less experienced players should be aware of a few important differences:
Blight Cards - If a Blight card is in play that mentions a specific person by name, then you can ignore any encounters with that individual.
Injury and Madness Cards - The Dunwich Horror expansion introduced Injury and Madness cards, and players holding two of the same cards were immediately devoured. In the case of Miskatonic Horror, new Injury and Madness cards correspond to one of each type from the Dunwich Horror edition. If the investigator possesses two of the same type (regardless of the expansion), then they are still devoured.
Alternate Gates - When a player is called upon to open a gate with an alternate gate, they should choose the upper of the two locations. If, however, the upper location is on an expansion board that is not being used, then use the lower location.
Gate Bursts - Cards with a gate location in red indicate a gate burst. They normally function the same as any other gate card, unless the indicated gate is sealed with an Elder Sign. When this occurs, the elder sign is removed, the gate opens, a monster comes from the gate, and all flying monsters move.
The Institution Variant for Miskatonic Horror
Institutions are a new element introduced in the Miskatonic Horror expansion. They are powerful organizations that can assist investigators in their mission, although an expenditure of resources will be required to bring them into play. In many ways, Institutions function like the Guardians from previous supplements, and players are encouraged to use any combination of Institutions, Guardians and Heralds that they deem appropriate (although more than one of each type is not recommended).
For gamers who already own one or more of the Arkham Horror products, the Miskatonic Horror expansion will breathe new life into your sessions. However, it should be noted that these items are spread out over eight expansions, which means you’ll need to be a devoted collector of the Arkham Horror board game in order to get your money’s worth. Still, it’s worth the investment if you’re passionate about the works of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos in general.