Cthulhu’s Vault (2015) Board Game

Cthulhu’s Vault is a board game that was released in 2015 and is designed for 3-6 players. The game falls under the Adventure, Card Game, and Horror categories, with a runtime of approximately 45 minutes and an age recommendation of 10 and up. The game designers are Mark Behm, William Bricker, and Jacob Walker, with artwork by Jolly Roger Games.

Game Components of Cthulhu’s Vault

Ancient One cards: Each player receives one, kept face-down, representing an Ancient One like Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, or Hastur.

Story cards: A large deck used for the storytelling phase.

Investigator cards: Nine different characters with unique abilities, such as the Curious Student, Bootlegger, and Occultist.

Power tokens: Investigator and Cultist tokens, which are secret and used to track player progress.

Battle Order deck: Determines the order of actions during the Epic Battle Stage.

Combat cards: Used by both the Ancient One and Investigators during battles.

Wooden tokens: Real wood tokens with icons painted on each side.

How To Setup Cthulhu’s Vault

To set up the game, each player is dealt an Ancient One card face-down, seven Story cards, and two Power tokens (one Investigator and one Cultist). The remaining Power tokens are placed into two pools, either face-up or face-down. The Story Deck is shuffled, and the top card is drawn as the prologue card. The Power Guide card is placed visible to all players, indicating the number of Cultist Power tokens needed to awaken the Ancient One.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Storytelling: Players work together to create a cohesive story using Story cards during the Mystery Stage.

Token Management: Players collect and use Power tokens secretly.

Combat: The Epic Battle Stage involves competitive combat between the Ancient One and Investigators.

Card Drawing: Players draw cards based on their character’s hand size.

Game Objective

Mystery Stage: Players aim to collect the necessary Cultist Power tokens to awaken their Ancient One.

Epic Battle Stage: The player who awakened the Ancient One becomes the antagonist, while other players select Investigators to battle against the Ancient One. The objective is to either defeat the Ancient One or eliminate all Investigators.

Player Experience

**Cthulhu’s Vault** offers a unique blend of cooperative storytelling and competitive combat. During the Mystery Stage, players collaborate to build a narrative, each adding their own twist to the story. This phase encourages creativity and teamwork. The game shifts dramatically in the Epic Battle Stage, where players must strategize and use their characters’ special abilities to either defeat the Ancient One or protect it.

Pros

Engaging Storytelling: Encourages creative and collaborative storytelling.

Dynamic Gameplay: Transitions from cooperative to competitive play, offering a varied experience.

Thematic Integrity: Deeply embedded in the Cthulhu mythos, appealing to fans of Lovecraftian horror.

Replayability: High due to the random draw of cards and the variety of Ancient Ones and Investigators.

Cons

Rule Ambiguity: The rulebook can be confusing, making initial learning challenging.

No Two-Player Option: The game does not support two-player gameplay.

Component Complexity: Managing multiple decks and tokens can be overwhelming for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Cthulhu’s Vault

**Cthulhu’s Vault** is ideal for fans of Lovecraftian horror and those who enjoy storytelling and dynamic gameplay. It is a great choice for groups looking for a game that combines creativity with strategic combat. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a straightforward, rules-light experience or a game that supports two players. Despite some minor drawbacks, **Cthulhu’s Vault** offers a unique and engaging gaming experience that is sure to entertain and challenge players.

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