Quick Answer
The Hunters Nightmare expansion adds Chalice Dungeon exploration, new Hunter and Monster cards, and a fresh objective layer to Bloodborne: The Card Game. This guide walks you through setup, integration, and common pitfalls.
What the Expansion Adds (and What It Doesn't)
The Hunters Nightmare expansion focuses on the Chalice Dungeons from the video game. It introduces a new deck of Dungeon cards that replace the standard Exploration deck, and adds extra Hunter and Monster cards to the existing pools. The player count remains 3–5; the expansion does not change the base game's player limits.
Because this is an expansion, you must own the core Bloodborne: The Card Game to play. The retail pre-order edition includes all cards needed for the new mode, but the rulebook may reference components that are only in the base box.
Setup Differences vs. the Base Game
Setup follows the base game's flow with one key swap: replace the Exploration deck with the new Dungeon deck. Shuffle the Dungeon cards and place them face-down in the center. All other decks (Hunters, Monsters, Items, etc.) remain the same, though you may add the new Hunter and Monster cards from the expansion to their respective pools.
A common mistake is forgetting to remove the base Exploration deck entirely. If both decks are present, players may draw from the wrong pile, breaking the Chalice Dungeon objective. Check that only the Dungeon deck is active before starting.
How to Set Up and Play the Hunters Nightmare Expansion
- 1. Confirm You Have the Base Game Ready: Unbox your core Bloodborne: The Card Game and verify you have the rulebook, Hunter boards, dice, tokens, and the base decks. The Hunters Nightmare expansion only provides new cards—no additional tokens or boards. Checkpoint: If you're missing the base game components, you cannot play the expansion. Order the core game first.
- 2. Replace the Exploration Deck with the Dungeon Deck: Take the base Exploration deck out of play entirely. Shuffle the new Dungeon cards from the expansion and place them face-down in the center of the play area. This deck drives the Chalice Dungeon objective. Common mistake: Leaving the Exploration deck in the box or mixing it with the Dungeon deck. Only one should be active.
- 3. Add New Hunter and Monster Cards to Their Pools: Shuffle the new Hunter cards into the existing Hunter deck, and the new Monster cards into the Monster deck. Do the same for any Item or Trick cards included. This expands the variety of encounters and rewards. Checkpoint: Count the cards before shuffling to ensure nothing is missing. The expansion's card count is listed on the box.
- 4. Set Up Player Boards and Starting Hands: Each player chooses a Hunter board and draws a starting hand from the combined Hunter deck. Place your Hunter miniature on the starting space of the board. Deal the Dungeon deck's top card face-up to reveal the first Chalice Dungeon challenge. Common mistake: Forgetting to reveal the first Dungeon card before the first turn. This card sets the objective for the round.
- 5. Play a Round: Explore, Fight, and Claim Rewards: On your turn, you may move, fight a Monster, or interact with the Dungeon card. When you defeat a Monster, you earn Blood Echoes and may draw from the Item deck. The Dungeon card's objective (e.g., defeat a specific Monster type) must be met to progress. Checkpoint: The Dungeon card's objective is the same for all players. Cooperate or compete to fulfill it—your choice.
- 6. Advance Through the Dungeon Deck: After the current Dungeon card's objective is met, discard it and reveal the next card. Continue until the Dungeon deck is empty or a player reaches the required Blood Echoes to win. The game ends when a player meets the victory condition specified in the expansion rules. Common mistake: Not reading the victory condition on the Dungeon deck's final card. Some games end differently than the base game's rules.
Product Details
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Bloodborne: The Card Game Hunters Nightmare (Retail Pre-Order Edition): This expansion is designed for 3 to 5 players and was published in 2026. It requires the base Bloodborne: The Card Game (sold separately) to play. If you usually play with 2 players, this expansion won't work for your group—you'll need to wait for a 2-player variant or stick with the base game.
Bloodborne: The Card Game Hunters Nightmare (Retail Pre-Order Edition)
