Cthulhu Wars: Duel (2020) Board Game

Cthulhu Wars: Duel is a two-player version of the popular board game Cthulhu Wars, which was released in in 2020. Designed by Sandy Petersen and published by Petersen Games, this game retains the Lovecraftian horror theme and strategic gameplay of its predecessor but is streamlined for quicker play sessions.

Game Components of Cthulhu Wars: Duel

Game Box: Contains components for two factions: Great Cthulhu and the Black Goat.

Faction Cards: Unique cards for each faction, outlining abilities and objectives.

Spellbooks: Six unique objectives for each faction, which unlock special abilities.

Power Points: Tokens used to take actions and summon units.

Decay Meter: Tracks the power point penalties when a player runs out of power.

Dice: Used for combat and resolving actions.

Unit Tokens: Representing cultists, monsters, and other entities.

How To Setup Cthulhu Wars: Duel

To set up **Cthulhu Wars: Duel**, each player chooses a faction: Great Cthulhu or the Black Goat. Players place their respective faction cards, spellbooks, and unit tokens on the board. Power points are distributed, and the decay meter is reset. The game starts with each player having a set amount of power points and a clear objective to earn Doom points.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Asymmetric Play: Each faction has unique abilities and playstyles.

Area Control: Players compete to control gates and areas on the board.

Action Point System: Players use power points to take actions, with increasing costs due to the decay system.

Dice Rolling: Used for combat and resolving certain actions.

Spellbook System: Completing objectives unlocks special abilities.

Objective

Earn Doom Points: The primary goal is to accumulate 30 Doom points, primarily by killing enemy units and controlling key areas.

Player Experience

**Cthulhu Wars: Duel** offers a fast-paced, strategic experience with a blend of euro-like precision and dice-chucking excitement. The game is designed to be played multiple times, with players switching sides to experience both factions. The asymmetric nature of the game ensures that each faction has a distinct playstyle, with the Great Cthulhu faction being more straightforward and the Black Goat faction requiring more nuanced strategies.

Pros

Affordable: Priced at $30, significantly cheaper than the original **Cthulhu Wars**.

Portable: Compact design makes it easy to carry and play.

Replayability: High replay value due to the spellbook system and unique faction abilities.

Strategic Depth: Offers a mix of strategic planning and chaotic gameplay.

Cons

Limited Factions: Only two factions available, which might limit variety for some players.

Simplified Experience: Some features from the original game are simplified or omitted to fit the two-player format.

Dice Dependency: Combat and some actions rely heavily on dice rolls, which can introduce randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Cthulhu Wars: Duel

**Cthulhu Wars: Duel** is perfect for those who want to experience the core mechanics of **Cthulhu Wars** without the high cost and complexity of the original. It is ideal for fans of asymmetric games and those looking for a strategic yet fast-paced two-player experience. While it may not offer all the features of the original, it provides 80% of the flavor at 15% of the cost, making it an excellent introduction to the **Cthulhu Wars** universe.

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