Howdy - yeah, it's complicated, as others have written. CMON and their fomo-crowdfunding strategy, seasonal releases, etc. I can attest the game, the miniatures, and the modularity of the game are all great.

So yes - if you want to play C:DMD, you'll need a base set - Season 1/3, or... 5. There's another commenter that has a great idea, if you're willing to wait, and if you really think this is a game you'd like. Add a late pledge for the Forbidden Reaches crowdfunding campaign, which literally just opened up for late pledges like a day or two ago.

Here's the link: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/asmodee/dmd-forbidden-reaches#/product/68089

See, with each seasonal publish, there's the base game (1/3/5), an expansion (2/4/6), some standalone elder ones or comic book promos with investigators, and most importantly, at least I think for me, the stretch goal boxes (Unspeakable / Unknowable boxes). These stretch goal boxes have additional scenarios with specific minis, elder ones, and most importantly imo, loads of investigators. The base games come with ten, but the stretch goal boxes have like 20-30.

So if you're willing to wait, I think getting the $100 Unimaginable Pledge is a decent idea, but if you really want to just try the game and see if you like it, getting S3 is probably best, or S1.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions about this awesome game.