Arkham Horror: The Dark Pharaoh (Herald)

(Web published), Fantasy Flight Games · Board game · 2006
1–8 · best 4 Solo 180 min Weight 3.3/5
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you're already an Arkham Horror fan and enjoy an extra challenge, this Dark Pharaoh Herald will give you a headache (in a good way!). It adds more danger and complexity, perfect for those who want to test their limits.

Highlights
  • Increases base game difficulty
  • Adds new thematic challenges
  • Ideal for experienced players
  • Integration with Nyarlathotep
Keep in mind
  • Requires Arkham Horror base game
  • High language dependency
  • Can make the game more punishing
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Prepare to face the Dark Pharaoh in another dark adventure of Arkham Horror! This is not a standalone game, but an official Herald that adds an extra challenge to the base game, especially if you're playing with Nyarlathotep as the Ancient One. By introducing the Dark Pharaoh, you'll notice his monster token enters the monster cup from the start, even without Nyarlathotep in play. The Herald's special rules bring direct consequences for investigators: gaining unique items now costs sanity, and Exhibit items can curse you. If you are cursed, prepare to lose stamina each round. And that's not all: Mask monsters become tougher, and when defeated, they accelerate the end of the world by adding Doom tokens to the Ancient One. If Nyarlathotep is active, he becomes even more dangerous, with a combat bonus and more Doom tokens tied to the Mask monsters on the board. This pack is a fantastic addition for those who have already mastered Arkham Horror and are looking for new ways to test their limits against cosmic forces. Remember, it was originally published online and later included in an expansion, so check your collection to enjoy this extra threat!

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–8 players
1 OK
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 OK
6 OK
7 OK
8 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Game: Arkham Horror Game: Arkham Horror (Second Edition) Series: Arkham Horror Files (Fantasy Flight Games) Theme: Cthulhu Mythos
Publisher (Web published), Fantasy Flight Games
Designer Kevin Wilson, Robert Vaughn
Artist Scott Nicely

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base Arkham Horror game to use this Herald?
Yes, absolutely! This is a Herald, meaning it's additional content that modifies the rules of the base Arkham Horror game. It cannot be played on its own.
What is the average playtime with this Herald?
The playtime doesn't change drastically, but the increased difficulty might make games last a bit longer as you face more challenges. The base game is already lengthy (around 3 hours).
How many players can use this Herald?
This Herald is for Arkham Horror, which supports 1 to 8 players. Its addition doesn't alter this count, but it can be more chaotic (and fun!) with more people.
Is this Herald a full expansion or just a supplement?
It's a supplement, an official Herald published by FFG. It adds specific rules and challenges, but not new locations or playable characters on its own.
Are the new rules difficult to understand?
The rules themselves are straightforward, but how they impact the game might take a few plays to get used to. The language dependency is high, so having the text translated is essential.
Who do you recommend this Herald for?
We recommend it for players who are already very familiar with Arkham Horror and are looking for a greater challenge, more complexity, and a more punishing experience. If you enjoy testing your limits, you'll like it!