Whether it’s your first time attending a gaming convention or you’re a veteran of convention halls, planning ahead will ensure you have the best possible experience at Arkham Con. Here we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions and offer some tips to make the most of your time at the con!
What is there to do at Arkham Con?
The convention will cover 4 days of gaming and other Arkham-related activities. There will be epic multiplayer games each day including such favorites as The Blob That Ate Everything and War of the Outer Gods. On Saturday there will be an all-day Ironman game — more on that below! There will also be plenty of time to meet and chat with other Arkham players, play and learn other non-Arkham games, and a few surprises in store. Stay tuned!
How many decks should I bring?
It’s entirely up to you, but it’s best to have at least 3 decks — one fighter, one cluever, and one flex. You’ll want to be able to drop into any game and fill whatever role is needed on the team, so having one of each means you’re ready for any possible team make-up. For your standalone decks, most people bring 19 or 29xp decks. If you’re playing Ironman, you’ll also need your level 0 Ironman deck along with all of possible upgrades.
Current or Legacy? Chapter One or Chapter Two?
Either! Both! Some people at the con may want to play with only the new core and investigator deck cards, while others may combine new and old content. Some attendees will have full collections dating back to Dunwich, while other folks may be newer players who only have a few products. Wherever you fall on the continuum, you’ll be able to find a group to accommodate you.
Do I need to bring scenarios?
Each table in the big epic multiplayer games will need a copy of the scenario cards. Some scenario copies will be provided by the event organizers, but if you are interested in playing a particular epic multiplayer game and you have a copy, you can bring it to ensure there will be a copy for your table.
The con will also feature The Restricted Collection, a library of standalones, challenge scenarios, and fan-made scenarios created and maintained by Head Librarian Chad (of The Restricted Collection podcast). Scenarios can be checked out for use throughout the event.
What is Ironman?
Ironman, the tradition of teams of 1–4 players taking on an entire Arkham Horror LCG campaign in one day (à la the famous triathlon event), has become the focus and highlight of conventions for many players since its inception in 2017. At Arkham Con ’26, our Ironman campaign will be The Scarlet Keys. Stay tuned for more information on Ironman in the next few months.
What if I don’t want to play Ironman?
Participation in Ironman is entirely optional. The Ironman game will take place on Saturday, October 24. If you’re not interested in playing Ironman, there will be open tables for pickup games and many scenarios will be available for checkout from The Restricted Collection library.
What if I am not bringing teammates? How hard will it be to find group to join?
Not to worry! Whether you know anyone at the convention or not, it’s easy to find a table to play with. The organizers will have table flags available to indicate any table looking for players. Need to find a team? Just look for a flag and let that table know you’re looking for a seat! The Arkham community is very welcoming and you’ll find a team in no time.
What skill level do I need to play?
Whatever your skill level is is just fine! Arkham Con attendees cover a wide range of skill and experience with the game and new players are always welcome. Teams typically play on Standard difficulty, but if you’re interested in playing easier or harder you’re free to propose it or seek out other players who are interested. Same goes for Taboo. The Taboo list is completely optional and offers a good way to adjust the difficulty for each player at the table. It’s not a requirement that your whole party be Taboo-compliant or not so whatever configuration gives you the most enjoyment is ok!
After all, Arkham is a cooperative game. Just be up front with your table about your playstyle and preferences such as what Taboo rules you want to observe. Whether you say, “I’m a pretty new player, would you mind playing on Easy?” or “Can I subject you all to my 20-card Taboo-compliant true infinite Hit and Run Trigger Man combo Trish deck?” you can probably find a team willing to accommodate.
What should I pack?
It’s tempting to spend all your time planning your decks and packing your Arkham gear, but don’t forget to pack clothes too! Besides your cards, here’s a few things that might be helpful to bring:
Leave some room in your suitcase. The Gamezenter is a large game store with great stock to browse. If you decide to pick up a game or accessory, make sure you have enough room to transport it home!
Clothes! The Gamezenter is climate controlled, but everyone’s preferences are different so it’s recommended to dress in layers so you’ll be comfortable no matter what.
Outerwear. Weather in Minneapolis can be unpredictable — the temperature in October could be anywhere from 20–80°F. Although you’ll likely be inside most of the day, be prepared for rain or even snow and bring the appropriate gear to get to/from the Gamezenter.
Water bottle and snacks. It’s important to stay hydrated and well fed to keep your energy up for so many hours of gaming. The Gamezenter has a water bottle filling station and a cafe with coffee and limited snacks, but if you have dietary restrictions or preferred sustenance, it’s a good idea to bring your own. There is a Walmart a short walk north of the venue so if you’re coming from out of town you can wait until you arrive to pick up food or drinks.
Stimuli tools. There’s a lot going on at a convention and it can be a noisy environment with lots of activity. If you’re prone to sensory overload, stimuli like fidget toys, earplugs, or other self-soothing aids can help keep you feeling at ease.
Extra sleeves. You may acquire some new cards at the con that you’ll want to sleeve for immediate use, or gain story weaknesses or assets during a scenario that you need to add to your deck. Be prepared to sleeve them!
Non-Arkham games you want to share or teach. On the last day of the convention there will be time allocated for playing whatever games you like. If you’ve got a game you really want to play, bring a copy.