Cthulhu Wars: Masks of Nyarlathotep

About this expansion

Cthulhu Wars: Masks of Nyarlathotep is a 2019 addition for 2–8 players, designed for games lasting around 120 minutes. It brings four distinct manifestations of Nyarlathotep to the conflict, each offering a different threat, advantage, or tactical challenge.

The set includes nine Dark Demon miniatures in every faction color, nine Loyalty cards, two Spellbooks, and figures for the Shadow Pharaoh, the Bloated Woman, and the Haunter of the Dark. The Dark Demons represent Nyarlathotep engulfing and transforming a summoner. Recruiting one gives every enemy faction a Dark Demon as well, though those figures become burdens and weaknesses for opponents while serving as a greater asset to their owner.

• Shadow Pharaoh: An Egyptian manifestation combining sphinx, scorpion, mummy, pharaoh, and tentacled horror. Its ability drives cultists away from gates, leaving them vulnerable to capture after the Pharaoh departs.
• Bloated Woman: This repulsive form steals killed enemies and can later transform your gates so they produce Elder Signs instead of Power.
• Haunter of the Dark: A combat-focused Great Old One with strength based on the number of enemy Spellbooks in the battle.

The Haunter normally requires a Gate with your own Great Old One and costs 6 Power to awaken. Crawling Chaos can awaken it for 5 Power without a Great Old One, although every other faction gains an Elder Sign. Its initial Fly The Light weakness can force it to absorb a lone enemy Kill, while The Shining Trapezohedron makes opposing units roll before combat and eliminate units for each Kill rolled.

With its unusual loyalty effects and sharply differentiated abilities, Cthulhu Wars: Masks of Nyarlathotep adds several memorable ways for Nyarlathotep’s influence to reshape the game.