# Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2015 - **BGG Rating**: 8.4 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-8 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 180-0 min - **Weight**: 3.12 / 5 - **Designers**: Nikki Valens - **Artists**: Cristi Balanescu, Ed Mattinian, Guillaume Ducos, Jacob Murray, Jake Murray, Magali Villeneuve, Mauro dal Bo, Stephen Somers, Tiziano Baracchi, Tony Foti - **Publishers**: Fantasy Flight Games, Arclight Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Edge Entertainment, Galakta, Galápagos Jogos, Giochi Uniti, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Hobby World, Korea Boardgames - **Categories**: Adventure, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Fighting, Horror, Novel-based, Travel - **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement, Role Playing, Storytelling, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict Fans of mystery and cosmic horror will fall in love with this expansion!New Egyptian settingCharacters with unique powersFresh, challenging storiesDense, complex rulesLong playtimeHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids is the expansion that takes you straight into the heart of 1920s Egypt, where political turmoil and power struggles set the stage for the rise of the Dark Pharaoh. A side board opens six new locations—from bustling Cairo to ancient Tel El-Amarna, and the majestic Nile River—where you and your team of investigators confront cultists, ancient monsters, and the looming threat of a dark god. The expansion adds eight new characters, each with unique abilities that shift how you plan your missions, plus new Preludes cards that introduce epidemics, ghost returns, and other twists that change the game’s dynamics. Components include relics, Glamour spells, and legendary allies that can turn the tide. The game remains cooperative: all fight horror together, but player count ranges from 1 to 8, with sessions lasting about 180 minutes (or more, depending on complexity). If you enjoy mystery, paranormal investigation, and the decadent vibe of the era, this expansion will have you glued to the board. Dice rolling and point‑to‑point movement keep tension high, while the narrative unfolds around choices that affect the story’s flow. The archaeology theme and Egyptian setting add special charm, but the rule density can be a challenge for those new to cosmic horror games. Still, if you’re familiar with the core Eldritch Horror, the expansion offers fresh stories, challenges, and a deeper experience. In short, if you like cooperating to save the world from an ancient god and don’t mind diving into detailed rules, Under the Pyramids is the right pick. ## How to Play Game Objective The primary objective is to survive and advance the active Mystery, uncovering secrets related to the Egyptian pyramids. Victory depends on completing specific challenges described in the manual, such as collecting Clues, defeating Monsters, or solving riddles. Refer to the manual for details on the exact victory and defeat conditions. Setup Follow the steps below to set up the game: Egypt Auxiliary Board: Position the auxiliary board near the main board if the Prelude card is "Under the Pyramids" or if the Elder One is Nephren-Ka. Clues and Portals: Add six Clues and three Portals to the bank corresponding to the auxiliary board. Monsters: Remove 1 Mummy, 1 Sand Dweller, and 1 Spawn of Sobek from the Monster Repository and set them aside. Decks: Separate the Egypt and Africa Encounter decks and shuffle them. If the Prelude card is not "Under the Pyramids," the auxiliary board is not used. Refer to the manual for details on other setup rules. Game Flow The game progresses in turns, divided into phases. The basic structure includes: Action Phase: Players perform actions, such as moving or using abilities. Encounter Phase: Investigators encounter Encounter cards in the space where they are located, resolving their effects. Mystery Phase: If the active Mystery requires advancement, the active player resolves specific effects, such as placing markers or reducing the Resistance of Epic Monsters. The auxiliary board allows additional movement via Local routes at no action cost. Refer to the manual for details on the exact order of phases. Actions and How to Play Available actions include: Travel: Move between spaces connected by Local or Naval routes at no action cost. Trade: Trade Resources (including Unique Resources) with other players. Use Adventure Cards: Complete Adventure steps to receive rewards, such as advancing the Mystery. Weaken Proficiencies: Use Weaken tokens to reduce proficiency values, with limitations (maximum twice per proficiency). Unique Resources are obtained in specific Encounters and can be traded. Weaken tokens cancel out Upgrade tokens. Refer to the manual for detailed rules on each action. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when the active Mystery is completed or when the players can no longer survive. Scoring is calculated based on criteria such as: Number of Clues collected. Portals activated. Unique Resources obtained. Refer to the manual for the exact victory and defeat criteria, as they are not detailed in the provided context. Tips for Winning Utilize the Auxiliary Board: Take advantage of Local routes to access Egypt Encounters and advance the Mystery efficiently. Clue Management: Prioritize Research Encounters to obtain Unique Resources, which can be crucial for solving the Mystery. Avoid Weakening: Limit the use of Weaken tokens, as they permanently reduce proficiencies. ## FAQ ### How long does a game last with the expansion? On average, 180 minutes, but it can reach 210 or more, depending on player count and rule depth. ### How many players can play? 1 to 8 players, though the experience is more dynamic with 4 to 6. ### Does the expansion work only with the base game? Yes, you need the original Eldritch Horror. The expansion is not standalone. ### What are the main components of the expansion? A side board, 8 new investigators, Preludes cards, relics, Glamour spells, and additional monsters. ### Is the game suitable for beginners? No. The expansion increases complexity, so it’s best for those already familiar with Eldritch Horror. ### How do movement rules change? Movement remains point‑to‑point, but new routes and hazards appear in the Egyptian locations. ### Is there language support for the expansion? Yes, but most editions require a full translation for all players to understand. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=489818&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 43.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4885899&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 47.53 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5268611&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 48.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6023781&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 51.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=936387&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 51.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4811945&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 51.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6112198&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 53.39 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1661744&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.45 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5045236&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 56.72 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7014451&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/15954/eldritch-horror-under-the-pyramids?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com