How To Play Cthulhu Fluxx

If you’re looking for a quick, clear guide on how to play Cthulhu Fluxx, then I’ve got you covered. Here’s how to play.

Cthulhu Fluxx is played until one player completes the conditions for a Goal card, which can change based on new Goal cards players play. On a player’s turn, they play and draw cards based on what the current rules say, which can change based on New Rule cards players play. Players can also played Action cards, Keeper cards (things needed to complete Goals), and more.

Back-Of-The-Box Facts About Cthulhu Fluxx

• Player Count: 2-6
• Time To Play: 10-40 minutes
• Age Range: 13 and up
• Difficulty: Beginner/Easy
• Price Range: $10-$20
• Release Year: 2012
• Publisher(s): Looney Labs
• Designer(s): Keith Baker
• Artist(s): Derek Ring
• Where To Buy: Amazon

How To Play Cthulhu Fluxx

Cthulhu Fluxx is one of many games in the Fluxx line of games. And this, as you’ve guessed by now, is the Cthulhu version.

So, how do you play it? Let’s start with setup.

Setting Up Cthulhu Fluxx

This is one of the easiest setups in history. To start with, place the Basic Rules card in the center of the table. Shuffle all the other cards, deal three to each player (keep them secret from each other), then set the deck next to the Basic Rules card.

And with that, you’re ready to begin!

What A Player Does On Their Turn

On a player’s turn, they will draw and play as many cards as the current rules allow for, with emphasis on the word, “current” because this game is called Fluxx and it’s all about things being in flux.

Before we get there though, what does the Basic Rules card say to do exactly? Well, the Basic Rules card says players can draw and play one card.

So, what are the types of cards you can draw and play? Well, there are a bunch. Let’s start with Goal cards.

Goal Cards

When played, Goal cards change how a player wins the game. Not just the player who played the Goal card. ALL players.

When a player plays a Goal card, they place it face up in the middle of the table.

Keeper Cards

Keeper cards help you accomplish Goal cards. Goal cards usually ask for a certain set of Keepers, so having that set lets you win the game.

Some Keeper cards also give you special abilities. When playing a Keeper card, players put them face up in front of them.

Action Cards

Action cards let you perform different actions. Some examples include stealing cards, swapping cards, and discarding cards.

New Rule Cards

This is where the Fluxx series of games gets its name from. When a New Rule card is played, the rules of the game change with it.

For example, let’s say a player plays a card that says to draw two cards instead of one. From that point on, all players draw two cards instead of one.

But what if in the future another player plays a card that says to draw five cards? Well, then from that point on, all players draw five cards.

You get the idea.

Other Cards

There are a few other cards in Cthulhu Fluxx, which are:

• Creeper cards: In short, these are Keeper cards you usually don’t want to have (you’ll need some Creepers to accomplish certain Goals).
• Surprise cards: These are the only cards in the game that can be played at any time, including when it isn’t the player playing their turn.
• Ungoal cards: These are just like Goal cards, except if an Ungoal card’s conditions are met, everyone loses!
• Meta Rule card: There’s only one of these cards in the game. If all players agree, it becomes another set of rules at the start of the game.

How To Win Cthulhu Fluxx

If a player has all the Keepers they need to complete a Goal card, they win!

Did You Know?

(Each time you refresh the page you will get a new “Did You Know” fact!)

Did you know that the biggest board game convention in the world is in Germany? It’s called Internationale Spieltage SPIEL but is usually called Essen Game Fair. It takes place in Essen, Germany, and features over 1,000 exhibitors from lots of countries. It has also regularly had over 100,000, or sometimes over 200,000 people attend.

By comparison, Gen Con, which takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana has only recently climbed over 60,000 and has only neared the 70,000 mark once so far.

Conclusion: How To Play Cthulhu Fluxx

If you end up playing Cthulhu Fluxx, let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what you think and why in the comments below!

And, as always, keep on gaming, fellow board gamers.