Arnak packs a lot of distinct component types (cards, coins, compasses, tablets, arrowheads, assistants, idols) and the retail tray, while presentable, doesn't hold sleeved cards well or accommodate the Expedition Leaders and Missing Expedition content without becoming a mess.
The factory insert is so-so
The stock vacuum-formed tray looks nice and works for a base, unsleeved copy, but it lacks proper sleeved-card depth and has no plan for the expansions.
Your options
Officially licensed (CGE) full-color foam-core insert with room for Expedition Leaders and the standard cards/components of The Missing Expedition. Trays aid setup; note it does not fit the Missing Expedition's new boards or campaign content.
Laser-cut wooden organizer with thematic engraved art engineered for a very fast setup, a premium alternative to the foam insert.
Modular pluck-or-cut foam trays that fit the Arnak box; flexible but less game-specific than the dedicated inserts.
Printable Arnak organizers with dedicated wells for the resource tokens are available on Printables and similar sites.
Sleeved cards & the insert
Sleeving Arnak is contentious because the card backs are attractive, but if you do sleeve, the Folded Space v2 and Laserox inserts both accommodate it (Folded Space up to 100 micron). The stock tray is the weak point for sleeved decks.
Sleeving Lost Ruins of Arnak? See the Lost Ruins of Arnak sleeve guide for card sizes and how many packs to buy.
The verdict
The base tray is passable for a shrink-to-fit base game, but if you sleeve or own Expedition Leaders, upgrade. The officially licensed Folded Space FS-LRAv2 is the natural pick with its color print and expansion support; Laserox is the premium wooden option with the fastest setup. Just know that neither fully solves the Missing Expedition's oversized campaign content.
Other boxes with a tray that half-works
- Scythe — Stonemaier Games
- 7 Wonders — Repos Production
- Dune: Imperium — Dire Wolf
- Everdell — Starling Games
Frequently asked questions
Partly — the factory insert in Lost Ruins of Arnak does some of the job but leaves gaps. The stock vacuum-formed tray looks nice and works for a base, unsleeved copy, but it lacks proper sleeved-card depth and has no plan for the expansions.
The base tray is passable for a shrink-to-fit base game, but if you sleeve or own Expedition Leaders, upgrade. The officially licensed Folded Space FS-LRAv2 is the natural pick with its color print and expansion support; Laserox is the premium wooden option with the fastest setup. Just know that neither fully solves the Missing Expedition's oversized campaign content. Common routes are a laser-cut kit, a plastic tray or a 3D-printed tray.
Sleeving Arnak is contentious because the card backs are attractive, but if you do sleeve, the Folded Space v2 and Laserox inserts both accommodate it (Folded Space up to 100 micron). The stock tray is the weak point for sleeved decks.
Lost Ruins of Arnak is a trademark of its publisher. The Cardboard Shelf is not affiliated with or endorsed by the game's publisher; we cover accessories only.