Cthulhu Wars: Opener of the Way Expansion

Green Eye Games, Pegasus Spiele, Petersen Games · Board game · 2015
2–5 · best 4 90 min Weight 3.4/5
9.4 rating Ludopedia
8.5 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 41.48
9.4 rating Ludopedia
8.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
WITH CAVEATS

If you love a faction that can flip the game in an instant, Yog‑Sothoth is the perfect pick.

Highlights
  • Free unit promotion
  • One‑time powerful abilities
  • Gate‑to‑gate mobility
Keep in mind
  • May unbalance games
  • Best with experienced players
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About the game

What you do in a play session

The Opener of the Way expansion brings the overwhelming presence of Yog‑Sothoth, the "Opener of the Way", to Cthulhu Wars. Its main hallmark is the ability to rewrite reality: all units may be promoted for free after combat, advancing from cultists to mutants, mutants to Abominations, and finally to Children of Yog‑Sothoth, which can fragment into as many mutants as the player has in reserve. Yog‑Sothoth also wields two unique spellbooks—Dragon Rising and Dragon Descending—that can be used only once per game, delivering powerful one‑time boosts that can flip the game in an instant. Additional spellbooks let him rain death from the sky, summon monsters from enemy gates, or channel raw power straight into a battle. The faction also gains the ability to move from gate to gate without traversing intervening areas, enhancing strategic mobility. Playtests have shown Yog‑Sothoth to be one of the strongest factions, capable of producing sudden turn‑arounds that keep everyone on edge. Players who enjoy explosive strategies and a trump card that can reshape the board at any moment will love this addition. However, its sheer power may unbalance games with less experienced groups, so the skill level of participants should be considered.

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Cthulhu Wars Players: Expansions Changing Player Count Theme: Cthulhu Mythos
Publisher Green Eye Games, Pegasus Spiele, Petersen Games
Designer Sandy Petersen
Artist Jo Brumby, Mark Evans (I), Robert Goldney, Tim Prow

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,622owners
115wishlist
69want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can use the expansion?
The expansion supports 2 to 5 players, just like the base game.
How much extra time does the expansion add to a game?
Typically it adds about 10–15 minutes, depending on how familiar players are with the new faction.
Do I need the base game to use this expansion?
Yes, Opener of the Way is an expansion and requires the Cthulhu Wars base game.
What new components are included in the box?
The box contains Yog‑Sothoth miniatures, new spellbook cards, free‑promotion markers, and faction‑specific resource tokens.
Is this expansion suitable for beginners?
It’s best for players already comfortable with the base game, as the faction’s power can unbalance games with novices.
How do the once‑per‑game abilities work?
Each once‑per‑game spellbook can be activated only once per match; after use the card is flipped upside‑down to show it’s spent.
Can this expansion be combined with other Cthulhu Wars expansions?
Yes, it’s compatible with other official expansions as long as they’re used with the same base game.