Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
Perfect for those who love epic miniatures and want to feel the power of a cosmic god destroying everything.
Highlights
- Absolutely spectacular miniatures
- True asymmetry between factions
- Intense and strategic combat
- Impeccable Lovecraftian atmosphere
Keep in mind
- Very steep learning curve
- Requires a massive table
- Language dependency for some
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
Ever wondered what it's like to command cosmic horrors to dominate the Earth? In Cthulhu Wars, you aren't the hero saving humanity; instead, you are one of the Great Old Ones attempting to awaken and instill global chaos. This is a heavy strategy game where each faction has its own distinct flavor: unique monsters, spells, and objectives that ensure no two games feel the same. The board is a world map where you'll spread your cultists, open gates, and summon colossal creatures to crush your rivals.
The core gameplay revolves around power management. At the start of a turn, you gather power and then spend it during action rounds. Want to move your troops? Spend power. Want to cast a devastating spell or summon a monster? More power. The tension peaks when you attempt to awaken your Great Old One—the most imposing piece in the game—which completely shifts the scale of battle. However, brute force isn't everything; victory is determined by climbing the Doom Track. The lone victor is the first to reach the required score, but there's a catch: you must have unlocked all six of your spell books. This forces you to balance military aggression with the pursuit of occult knowledge.
Visually, the game is a masterpiece. The miniatures are stunning, ranging from tiny cultists to towering deities that dominate the table. It's the kind of game that leaves anyone speechless upon opening the box. If you enjoy area control, strategic combat, and the dark atmosphere of Lovecraft, this game is a perfect fit. Get ready for betrayals, epic battles, and the feeling that humanity is just an insignificant detail in the face of the awakening of the ancient gods. It's complex, it's massive, and it's absolutely epic.
The core gameplay revolves around power management. At the start of a turn, you gather power and then spend it during action rounds. Want to move your troops? Spend power. Want to cast a devastating spell or summon a monster? More power. The tension peaks when you attempt to awaken your Great Old One—the most imposing piece in the game—which completely shifts the scale of battle. However, brute force isn't everything; victory is determined by climbing the Doom Track. The lone victor is the first to reach the required score, but there's a catch: you must have unlocked all six of your spell books. This forces you to balance military aggression with the pursuit of occult knowledge.
Visually, the game is a masterpiece. The miniatures are stunning, ranging from tiny cultists to towering deities that dominate the table. It's the kind of game that leaves anyone speechless upon opening the box. If you enjoy area control, strategic combat, and the dark atmosphere of Lovecraft, this game is a perfect fit. Get ready for betrayals, epic battles, and the feeling that humanity is just an insignificant detail in the face of the awakening of the ancient gods. It's complex, it's massive, and it's absolutely epic.
Expansions
Published additional content
Cthulhu Wars: Ancients
Cthulhu Wars: Azathoth Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: Bubastis
Cthulhu Wars: Colour Out of Space Gate Pack
Cthulhu Wars: Cosmic Terrors Pack
Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan
Cthulhu Wars: Dire Azathoth
Cthulhu Wars: Dreamlands Map Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: Great Old One Pack Four
Cthulhu Wars: Great Old One Pack One
Cthulhu Wars: Great Old One Pack Three
Cthulhu Wars: Great Old One Pack Two
Cthulhu Wars: High Priest Expansion Pack
Cthulhu Wars: Library at Celaeno Map
Cthulhu Wars: Masks of Nyarlathotep
Cthulhu Wars: Opener of the Way Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: Primeval Earth Map
Cthulhu Wars: Shaggai Map Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: Six to Eight Player Earth Map
Cthulhu Wars: Six to Eight Player Shaggai Map
Cthulhu Wars: Tcho-Tcho
Cthulhu Wars: Tcho-Tcho Tribes
Cthulhu Wars: The Invasion
Cthulhu Wars: The Sleeper Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: The Windwalker Expansion
Cthulhu Wars: Unique High Priests
Cthulhu Wars: Yuggoth Map Expansion
Planet Apocalypse: The Dragon Pack
Planet Apocalypse: The Pack of the Pit
Planet Apocalypse: The Power Pack
Planet Apocalypse: The Void Pack
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
-
Cthulhu Wars REBOXING
-
Off The Shelf Board Game Reviews - Cthulhu Wars - How To Play
-
Object of the Game: Cthulhu Wars - How to Play
-
How to Play Cthulhu Wars [Rum and Board]
-
How to Play Cthulhu Wars - Roll For Crit
-
Crawling Chaos Description
-
Opener of the Way description
-
WindWalker Description
-
Devs Play Board Game Special // Cthulhu Wars - Part 1
-
How to play Cthulhu Wars
-
How to win with Black Goat - Ruining friendships and devastating your enemies in Cthulhu Wars
-
How to Win using The Yellow Sign
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
3
REC
4
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Petersen Games, Arclight Games, BoardM Factory, Fabrika Igr, Green Eye Games, Last Level, MYBG Co., Ltd., Pegasus Spiele
Designer
Lincoln Petersen, Sandy Petersen
Artist
Andrew May, Chaz Elliott, Ian Brumby, Jo Brumby, Kev Adams, Mark Evans (I), Neil McKenzie, Peter Bartholdy, Rich Fleider, Richard Luong, Sonny Bundgaard, Stephen May (II)
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
8,556owners
3,236wishlist
553want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game hard to learn?
It's considered an 'expert' game. There are many rules and the faction asymmetry means you need to understand both your own and your opponents' abilities, but it flows well with patience.
How much table space do I need?
A lot! The map is large and the Great Old Ones are huge. Don't try to play this on a small coffee table.
Can I play with more than 4 people?
The base game supports 2-4, but the map allows 5. With faction expansions, the game can accommodate up to 8 players.
Does the game take a long time?
Yes, expect to spend between 90 to 120 minutes, depending on the group's experience and the number of players.
Are the miniatures actually good?
They are the highlight of the game. The size variation (from 20mm to 180mm) creates an incredible visual effect on the table.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme