Cthulhu: Death May Die

CMON Global Limited, Guillotine Games, Arclight Games · Board game · 2019
1–5 · best 3 Solo 90–120 min Weight 2.5/5
8.9 rating Ludopedia
8.2 rating BGG
How to Play Roll Dice Buy · from US$ 87.99
8.9 rating Ludopedia
8.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're into action-packed co-ops with a Lovecraftian theme and awesome miniatures, Cthulhu: Death May Die is a perfect fit for summoning and battling terror!

Highlights
  • Intense combat and addictive dice
  • Spectacular and detailed miniatures
  • Modular and replayable campaign
  • Lovecraftian theme with a twist
  • Insanity as a fun mechanic
Keep in mind
  • High language dependency
  • Can be punishing early on
  • Dice luck influences outcomes
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Cthulhu: Death May Die, inspired by the terrifying tales of H.P. Lovecraft, you and your friends step into the shoes of fearless investigators in the 1920s. But here's the twist: instead of trying to prevent the Elder Ones from arriving, your goal is actually to summon them so you can put a permanent stop to these cosmic entities! It's an audacious approach, to say the least. You start the game already teetering on the edge of insanity, and while your ultimate goal is to, shall we say, 'take down' Cthulhu, at any moment your dice rolls might betray you, and your madness could lead you to do something completely insane — or, who knows, surprisingly advantageous. You never really know for sure! The game is divided into multiple episodes, each with a clear two-act structure: before and after the summoning of the Elder One in question. If any character dies before the creature is summoned, it's game over for everyone. But once the Elder One is on the board, hope is not lost! As long as one investigator remains standing, there's still a chance for victory. And the best part is that the episodes are completely standalone, so you can play them in any order you like and with different players, without needing to follow a linear campaign. Get ready for plenty of action, dice rolling, and a hefty dose of madness!

Expansions

Published additional content

11 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Cthulhu: Death May Die English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Category: Dungeon Crawler Components: Dice with Icons Components: Miniatures Country: USA Creatures: Monsters Misc: DIZED Tutorial
Publisher CMON Global Limited, Guillotine Games, Arclight Games, asmodee, BoardM Factory, Delta Vision Publishing
Designer Eric M. Lang, Rob Daviau
Artist Adrian Smith, Karl Kopinski, Nicolas Fructus, Richard Wright, Thierry Masson

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

28,857owners
8,459wishlist
754want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How long does a typical game of Cthulhu: Death May Die last?
A game usually takes between 90 and 120 minutes. It's a good amount of time for an immersive experience without dragging on too long.
How many players can play?
The game is designed for 1 to 5 players. Perfect for solo play, a duo, or with a full group of friends!
Is it a very complex game for beginners?
The complexity is moderate (BGG weight of 2.5/5). It's not an entry-level game, but with a bit of dedication, even non-experts can pick it up and have a blast.
What are the main components of the game?
Get ready for lots of detailed miniatures of investigators and monsters, custom dice, cards, episode boards, and tokens. It's a visual feast for fans!
Who is Cthulhu: Death May Die best suited for?
It's ideal for fans of cooperative games, lovers of the Lovecraft universe, those who enjoy miniatures, and aren't afraid of a bit of dice rolling and a dash of insanity. If you like a good challenge and an engaging story, you'll love it!
Do I need to play the episodes in a specific order?
Nope! The beauty of Death May Die is that the episodes are standalone. You can play them in any order you like and even with different groups of friends each session.
Does the game have a lot of English text?
Yes, the language dependency is considered extensive. For a full experience, it's recommended to have a good understanding of English or the translated national version.

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