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Cthulhu Wars

2015 | Fantasy | Fighting | Horror | Miniatures

Cthulhu Wars is a strategy boardgame in which the players take the part of alien races and gods taken from the Cthulhu mythos created by H. P. Lovecraft. The game is physically large, and includes sixty-four figurines of the cultists, monsters, aliens, and Great Old Ones that range in height from approximately 20 mm to nearly 180 mm.

The game takes place on a map of Earth. Each player takes the part of one of four factions included in the base game. At the start of a turn, players Gather Power, then, during a series of Action Rounds, they spend this Power to accomplish various tasks, such as recruiting Cultists, moving units, engaging in battle, summoning monsters, building Gates, casting spells, and Awakening their Great Old One. When all players run out of Power, the Action phase ends and the next turn begins. Victory is determined by accumulating points on the Doom Track. The first player to 30 is the lone victor *if* he has unlocked all six of spell books.

Driving the strategy are a player's wish to expand his power base, and his need to accomplish six tasks to acquire his faction's spell books. Each faction has a unique set of monsters, spell books, and special abilities, and has different requirements to acquire its spell books. All factions have multiple strategies open to them.

The base game supports 2-4 players (the map supports 5 players), but with new factions and maps released as expansions it can support up to 8 players.



No. of Players 2-4
Playing Time 90-120 min
Age 14+
Mechanics Action Point Allowance System, Area Movement, Dice Rolling, Variable Player Powers
Designer Sandy Petersen, Lincoln Petersen
Artist Kev Adams, Ian Brumby, Jo Brumby, Sunny Bundgaard
Publisher Petersen Games

Images And Data Courtesy Of: Petersen Games.
This content (including text, images, videos and other media) is published and used in accordance with Fair Use.

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RPGMP3

Added this item on Mar 6, 2018

Cthulhu Wars Reviews & Ratings (3)
9-10
66.7% (2)
7-8
33.3% (1)
5-6
0.0% (0)
3-4
0.0% (0)
1-2
0.0% (0)

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Cthulhu Wars reviews from people you don't follow
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RPGMP3 (211 KP) rated

Apr 18, 2018  
Cthulhu Wars
Cthulhu Wars
2015 | Fantasy, Fighting, Horror, Miniatures
Very thematic (3 more)
Reasonably easy to learn
Well balanced
Superb minitatures that cannot be describe
Lots of variable rules (1 more)
Potentially intimidating to new players
Love Lovecraft? Love This!
Cthulhu Wars is a game where players take on the role of some squamous and tentacular entity from the depth of Earth's history, striving to enter the world again and wreak untold havoc. The aim of the game is to collect six spellbooks, that each gives a power related to your faction and end the game with the highest number of Doom.

The collection of spellbooks leads to an asymmetric play style, where each faction has to achieve specific things in order to be able to meet the criteria for winning. At the same time, players are trying to thwart each other and ensure that no one makes it too far ahead.

There is a lot of like about Cthulhu Wars. The minis are spectacular and massive. There is nothing quite like picking up a large handful of Nyarlothotep and hearing the satisfying thunk as you move to a new location.

Players with experience playing the game with the various factions will have a clear advantage over players who are just starting out as they have some insight into how their opponents work but with a few games, most of the basic strategies become clear enough.

An impressive game to play that sticks close to the source material and delivers on the quality of the components. It is well worth your time to take a look and sit in one a game.
(3)   
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Jonathan Baker (2 KP) rated

Apr 5, 2018  
Cthulhu Wars
Cthulhu Wars
2015 | Fantasy, Fighting, Horror, Miniatures
Well balanced (2 more)
Fantastic models
Interesting mechanics
Takes a while to get going (1 more)
Not to be taken lightly
Risk, but with outer planer beings and more death
So,
This game is pretty epic to play.
A basic knowledge of Lovecraftian lore definitely helps, however not essential.

You need a bit a patience whilst setting up and the first few rounds. You also really need to read a good chunk of the instruction book.
HOWEVER.

There has been a lot of tweeking with this game before putting it out, as I've played a few games now and found that anything odd or "broken" is easily explained in the FAQ's that you don't need to read on set up.

The models and artwork are pure horrifying beauty. Probably the best artwork I have seen in a table top game.


The game is easy to set up, but a working brain does help when playing, as you have to keep an eye on EVERYTHING.

All of the factions have been balanced wonderfully, some have raw strength but is countered by intelligent play.


If you like anything Lovecraft, this game is definitely for your.
War/strategy game fans. It's great with an interesting twist on the traditional war games.
Model lovers... great models. My DM has used them in some D&D/ Pathfinder sessions.
(1)