Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe

Indie Boards & Cards, Popcorn Games · Board game · 2018
4–8 · best 7 1–30 min Weight 1.2/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Buy
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a quick game of bluffing and deduction with a Lovecraftian theme and plenty of friend-vs-friend drama, this one's for you! It's pure tension from start to finish.

Highlights
  • Constant tension and paranoia
  • Easy to learn and play
  • Intense social interaction
  • Well-applied Lovecraftian theme
Keep in mind
  • Can cause heated arguments
  • Luck can heavily influence
  • Little strategic depth
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a dose of cosmic madness with Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe! This isn't a game for the faint of heart, nor for those who like to have everything under control. Here, you and your friends will split into two factions: the brave Investigators, who want to prevent the awakening of the Great Old One Cthulhu and save the world from apocalypse, and the fanatical Cultists, who yearn to see the world plunge into chaos. The mission is simple: four rounds for the Investigators to find all the Elder Signs. Failed? Or worse, did Cthulhu appear ahead of time? Cultists win! Each round begins with suspense: Investigation cards are dealt, and you know which ones are yours, but not where they are in your hand. During the round, actions are taken to reveal these cards. At the end, any remaining cards are shuffled and redistributed, increasing the paranoia. If Cthulhu shows up, it's an instant game over for the Investigators. If all Elder Signs are found, the Investigators win. For those who enjoy playing multiple times (and it's highly recommended!), losers accumulate Insanity tokens. Whoever has the least insanity at the end wins. This Deluxe version includes the Necronomicon and Objects of Power, boosting the experience for up to 8 players. It's pure tension, bluffing, and social deduction with a Lovecraftian twist!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

4 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

4–8 players
4 REC
5 REC
6 REC
7 BEST
8 REC

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Series: TimeBomb Theme: Cthulhu Mythos
Publisher Indie Boards & Cards, Popcorn Games
Designer 佐藤 雄介 (Yusuke Sato)
Artist Brandt Peters, Luis Francisco, Vincent Dutrait

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,026owners
270wishlist
28want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many people can play?
The game is designed for 4 to 8 players, perfect for livening up parties and gatherings.
How long does a game take?
A game is super quick, usually between 15 to 30 minutes, but you'll want to play multiple rounds in a row!
Are the rules difficult to learn?
Not at all! The rules are quite simple, and you can get the hang of it in a few minutes. Perfect for playing with people who aren't big board game enthusiasts.
Is there a lot of text to read in the game?
The text on the cards is minimal and easy to memorize, so language dependency is low. The English is straightforward to understand.
What's different about this Deluxe version?
The Deluxe version includes the Necronomicon and Objects of Power, which add more flavor and possibilities to the game, and it supports more players.
Is this game more about luck or strategy?
It's a bit of both! Luck with the cards is a factor, but knowing how to bluff, deduce, and deceive your friends is what truly leads you to victory.

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