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Game Info
Year
2020
Collection
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Description
The Old Ones have risen. Monsters walk the Earth. Humanity is finished, but the struggle continues. Which Great Old One will rule the ruins of Earth? Now, you take charge!
Cthulhu Wars: Duel is a fast-moving two-player strategy game in which you play as Great Cthulhu himself or the Black Goat, a cosmic goddess of hideous fertility. Each side is strikingly different with unique units, abilities, and strategies available.
In Cthulhu Wars: Duel, the giant plastic miniatures have been replaced with cardboard standees. This not only allows the game to be more affordable, but also makes it travel friendly and saves table space. This means you can drop a box of Cthulhu Wars: Duel in a bag and take it to your game night with minimal space requirements. Cthulhu Wars: Duel also doesn't take up as much table space as the original, allowing it to be played in smaller spaces. In short, this is the most accessible version of Cthulhu wars ever made!
—description from the publisher
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 5
This page: 5
Sentiment:
pos 3 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–5 of 5
Video jnkwqUo7f_4
The Cardboard Herald Discussion at 1:06:07 sentiment: other
video_pk 85100 · mention_pk 284582
Click to watch at 1:06:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Flawed due to convoluted asymmetry and lack of meaningful interaction.
Pros
- Novelty of factions can be fun initially
- Interesting concepts and lore
Cons
- Asymmetry is too convoluted
- Difficult to grasp meaningful interaction with opponent
- Novelty wears off quickly
- Doesn't inspire hope for mixing factions
Thematic elements
- Factional Conflict
- Cthulhu Mythos
Comparison games
- Root
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players compete for control of territories.
- Asymmetric powers — Each faction has a unique ruleset and abilities.
- asymmetry — Requires learning a completely different game for each faction.
- Combat — Features direct conflict between players' units.
- Imperfect information — it never felt like I knew what the right decisions were going to be uh to strategically provide opposition to my opponent.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think that there are a lot of games that even if they're not built specifically for two players, the draw to play those games that was there at four players or three players is still there at two players.
- I think that some parts of Aries expedition becomes a lot stronger at two players than it does at three or four players.
- I have my sandbox, you have your sandbox. This can be great at two players.
- Well, let me tell you, nothing is going to create a marital uh battle like someone not being entirely focused on a game of sale.
- I can kind of be doing something else while playing.
- So to me, Ark Nova is ideal for two players.
- Peak Spirit Island is two-player or two spirit if you're playing solo and you have uh and you want to do double-handed
- However, it's too bigrain for me to feel like I'm up for that.
- I just like them at two players. You know, I don't need the extra player count. That's the right amount of opposition that I need for those.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jnkwqUo7f_4
The Cardboard Herald Discussion at 1:27:24
video_pk 85100 · mention_pk 284615
Click to watch at 1:27:24 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think that there are a lot of games that even if they're not built specifically for two players, the draw to play those games that was there at four players or three players is still there at two players.
- I think that some parts of Aries expedition becomes a lot stronger at two players than it does at three or four players.
- I have my sandbox, you have your sandbox. This can be great at two players.
- Well, let me tell you, nothing is going to create a marital uh battle like someone not being entirely focused on a game of sale.
- I can kind of be doing something else while playing.
- So to me, Ark Nova is ideal for two players.
- Peak Spirit Island is two-player or two spirit if you're playing solo and you have uh and you want to do double-handed
- However, it's too bigrain for me to feel like I'm up for that.
- I just like them at two players. You know, I don't need the extra player count. That's the right amount of opposition that I need for those.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3-_AHLG-9Z8
Meeple Mountain Review at 0:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 42457 · mention_pk 128928
Click to watch at 0:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Compact, travel-friendly two-player experience with strong table presence and thematic flavor.
- Distinct asymmetry across factions provides varied playstyles and replayability.
- Cost-effective alternative to the full core game while preserving core systems and feel.
- Fast, tense turns with quick setup and a satisfying back-and-forth tempo.
- Spell books introduce meaningful strategic choices and direct flavor integration.
- Decay mechanic adds tension and balance, preventing runaway power economy in two-player games.
- Doom-for-kills mechanic creates high-stakes decisions and dynamic risk-reward decisions.
- Beautiful art and well-designed components maintain immersive Arkham flavor on a compact board.
- Rules tweaks from the core game translate cleanly into a tight two-player experience.
- Supports quick pickups and easy teaching, making it accessible for players familiar with Cthulhu Wars.
Cons
- Limited to two players; not suitable for larger groups or live simultaneous playstyles.
- Even with streamlined rules, some players may prefer the depth of the core game for longer sessions.
- Dice-based combat introduces luck elements that may overshadow strategy for some players.
- Requires some familiarity with the core game’s lore and mechanics to fully leverage spell books and asymmetry.
- Could feel resource-tight for players who fall behind early, given decay and doom pacing.
Thematic elements
- Lovecraftian horror and cosmic stakes; factional rivalry to doom and a world-ending ritual endgame.
- Arkham Horror universe; Arkham, Massachusetts; mythos-inspired world.
- asymmetrical faction-driven narrative with flavor text and tabletop presence.
Comparison games
- Cthulhu Wars (core game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- combat location rules — Battles are triggered by moving units into adjacent areas; combat is fast and can be initiated or avoided through positioning and resource management.
- combat with dice — Units have combat ratings; dice pools (d6) are rolled; results include misses, pains, and kills; combat outcomes push space control and doom.
- Combat: Dice — Units have combat ratings; dice pools (d6) are rolled; results include misses, pains, and kills; combat outcomes push space control and doom.
- decay balancing element — In two-player mode, a decay track increases action costs as power runs out; this keeps late-game engagement tight and pressures opponents strategically.
- doom tracking — All players work to accumulate doom through combat outcomes, ritual effects, and other faction-specific means; doom is the primary victory condition.
- dooms-for-kills incentive — A key difference from other versions: killing opponents’ units directly boosts your doom, creating a balance between expansion and aggression.
- elder signs — Tokens that grant doom or victory points when revealed; can be kept face-down and revealed strategically for late-game scoring or endgame timing.
- End Game Bonuses — A key difference from other versions: killing opponents’ units directly boosts your doom, creating a balance between expansion and aggression.
- gates and map control — Gates are built and controlled by cultists; gates generate power and are central to summoning monsters and scoring via rituals.
- Power economy — Power is earned via acolytes and captured cultists, and is spent to move, build gates, summon units, or trigger battles; the decay track adds a dynamic cost pressure.
- recruitment and respawn — Cultists can be recruited or reintroduced to the map; this creates flexible deployment and reactive play against your opponent.
- rituals of annihilation — Rituals require increasing power to trigger; each ritual contributes to doom and can end the game when used enough.
- spell books — Six asymmetrical abilities that players unlock by meeting positional requirements; they provide game-changing options and strategic variety.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this game is going to be incredible i love it so so much already
- it's a cost effective tabletop size streamlined edition of cthulhu wars
- one of the most iconic area control asymmetric faction games in the market
- 9 out of 10 for me easily
- this is just a travel sized fun version of a game that i think everyone should get to play
- i'm really passionate about two-player games
- the game plays fun it plays fast you're probably getting a game in in 45 minutes maybe an hour
- it plays really quick
- the price point is really really tame
- the attention to detail the art on the board itself the art on the minis and of course the art on the faction boards is all great
- the factions are in themselves the exact same as what you would play in the core game
- i was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of it and get some plays in of it
- the map is beautiful and compact, and it invites direct confrontation
- i'm glad they didn't just redo the world map as you have with the core cthulhu wars game
- if you love the Arkham mythos, this is an insta-buy for you
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UeSchE-Gex8
The Cardboard Herald Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13695 · mention_pk 39983
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast-paced, high-tension two-player design
- Striking visual presence with large color standees
- Dynamic map with gates and towers driving strategic decisions
- Strong asymmetry between factions yields varied experiences
Cons
- Decay system can push players toward faster play at times
- Matchups can feel uneven depending on faction choice
- Some players may miss the classic statue-based aesthetic of the original game
Thematic elements
- Cosmic horror, gate control, ritual power
- Two Lovecraftian factions clash on a compact two-player map featuring gates and towers
Comparison games
- Cthulhu Wars (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Controlling critical locations and gates to gain influence and power
- area_control — Controlling critical locations and gates to gain influence and power
- Combat: Dice — Combat resolved via dice, adding luck and risk to engagements
- dice_combat — Combat resolved via dice, adding luck and risk to engagements
- doom_phase — A phase where actions become more costly, encouraging decisive play
- faction_spells — Six unique spell cards per faction that shape each turn
- gate_control — Gates actuate power generation and strategic positioning; essential to expansion
- Once-Per-Game Abilities — Power is spent to recruit units and trigger faction-specific effects
- power_economy — Power is spent to recruit units and trigger faction-specific effects
- Variable Phase Order — A phase where actions become more costly, encouraging decisive play
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- cthulhu war's duel is the comparatively diminutive little brother to the massive 2015 hit
- the map's dark tower mechanic is really compelling
- i actually really like the vibrance of the full color standies and will take them over unpainted minis any day
- this pairing of the two sets together gives me enough variety and variability that duel has actually eclipsed cthulhu wars proper for me
- if you like love crafty and spookiness you like area control you like the rich tension that comes from dedicated two-player games
- extinction kind of goes the same way the windwalker powers are just good from the passive on windigos to scare away combatants pre-battle
- the map design underscores the rapid forward momentum
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zsLIUlKZclI
The Cardboard Herald Top List at 0:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2620 · mention_pk 7747
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- contemplative
- smart
- proves area control designed for two players doesn't have to be stripped-down
- two releases available with different Great Old Ones
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- cultish oppression
- ancient world
- Cthulhu mythos
Comparison games
- Cthulhu Wars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control
- asymmetric factions
- two-player specific design
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there are a lot of great games and there are a lot of great games that play excellently at two players
- so simple and so elegant and so refined and yet so puzzly and ingenious
- one of the best tactical miniatures games out there without any miniatures whatsoever
- the thing is is that if you sell in bulk you get extra bonuses but if you sell early then you get the most valuable versions
- it gives you so much to consider and be cognizant of as you are drafting every single card but it is incredibly indelibly accessible
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–5 of 5