
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,341
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Cthulhu Wars: Duel
- 2 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2020

Rules assistance for Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack is an expansion for Cthulhu Wars released in 2015 for 2–4 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Sandy Petersen and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Area Movement, and Dice Rolling.
The Dreamlands Surface Monster expansion consists of 2 Shantaks, 3 Gnorri, and 4 Moonbeasts. Both Dreamlands Monster expansions are for use with ANY map. Yes, they can be used with the Dreamlands map as well, but they are not exclusive to it. Each monster has a special ability inherent to it, which is described on its loyalty card. Shantaks have the highly useful ability of carrying a Cultist with them when they move, so you can move two units for just 1 Power (as long as one is a Cultist, and the other a Shantak). Gnorri, Lovecraft's little-described amphibious horrors, give you a new boost towards victory. The Moonbeasts have a particularly obnoxious special power which makes them the bane of the other players.
Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack is 90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack belongs to these categories: Horror, Miniatures, and Expansion for Base-game. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Area Movement, and Dice Rolling. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack are: Sandy Petersen. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Cthulhu Wars: The Dreamlands Surface Monster Pack as an expansion for Cthulhu Wars. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Cthulhu Wars to use it. Check that your edition of Cthulhu Wars is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.