Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 vs Cohors Cthulhu: Which to Play?
By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Comparisons
Compare Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 and Cohors Cthulhu on setting, tone, and gameplay to decide which weird war RPG fits your table.
Quick answer
Choose Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 if you want pulp WW2 action against occult Nazis with a ready-made campaign framework. Choose Cohors Cthulhu if you prefer cosmic horror in a Roman setting with a skirmish wargame tie-in. Both use the Modiphius 2d20 system, so the core dice mechanics will feel familiar.
Setting and tone: WW2 pulp vs Roman cosmic horror
Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 drops you into an alternate World War II where Allied agents battle the occult forces of the Black Sun and Nachtwölfe. The tone is pulp adventure: daring raids, weird science, and desperate stands against eldritch horrors. Cohors Cthulhu moves the fight to the Roman Empire, blending legionary life with cosmic dread. Its tone leans more toward grim survival and investigation, with a skirmish wargame—Cohors Cthulhu Tactics—that lets you replay battles on the tabletop.
Rules and mechanics: shared 2d20 engine, different focus
Both games run on the Modiphius 2d20 system, so you will recognize the core mechanic: roll a pool of d20s and compare each die to a target number, with momentum and threat fueling cinematic action. Achtung! Cthulhu emphasizes heroic pulp action, with talents and gear that support bold stunts. Cohors Cthulhu shifts the focus to survival and unit cohesion, reflecting the discipline of a Roman legion. The 2d20 engine handles both well, but the feel at the table differs: one is Raiders of the Lost Ark, the other is a tense frontier patrol.
Campaign support and supplements
Achtung! Cthulhu has a deep library of supplements, including the D-Day: The Darkest Day campaign, which thrusts players into the liberation of Europe. That gives you a clear, epic through-line. Cohors Cthulhu is newer, with a growing line that includes the Tactics prologue starter set and a core rulebook. If you want a campaign you can start tonight with minimal prep, Achtung! Cthulhu has the edge. If you enjoy building a collection alongside a wargame, Cohors Cthulhu offers a different kind of support.
Miniatures and wargaming crossover
Cohors Cthulhu Tactics is a skirmish wargame that shares the setting, letting you use miniatures to fight battles in the same world. That appeals to groups who want to switch between roleplaying and tabletop combat. Achtung! Cthulhu also has a miniatures game (Achtung! Cthulhu Skirmish), but the RPG line stands on its own. If miniatures are a priority, Cohors Cthulhu Tactics offers a more integrated experience.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Setting accessibility: Achtung! Cthulhu uses a familiar WW2 backdrop, making it easy to pitch to new players. Cohors Cthulhu requires more buy-in for the Roman era and its specific themes. Pick Achtung! Cthulhu for quicker player onboarding.
- Campaign readiness: Achtung! Cthulhu has a large library including full campaigns like D-Day: The Darkest Day. Cohors Cthulhu is still building its RPG line, though the Tactics starter set offers a quick entry. Choose Achtung! Cthulhu if you want a campaign out of the box.
- Wargame integration: Cohors Cthulhu Tactics is designed as a companion skirmish game, letting you use the same setting for miniatures battles. Achtung! Cthulhu has a separate skirmish game but not as tightly integrated. Go with Cohors Cthulhu if you want to mix RPG and wargaming.
Key products for each game
- Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 - D-Day: The Darkest Day: Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 - D-Day: The Darkest Day is a campaign set in spring 1944, as the Allies launch the greatest sea and airborne invasion in history against the occult forces of the Black Sun and Nachtwölfe. Gives you a ready-made epic campaign that captures the pulp WW2 feel immediately.
- John Carter of Mars: Jeddak of Jeddaks Era Supplemental Rulebook: John Carter of Mars: Jeddak of Jeddaks Era Supplemental Rulebook provides an in-depth look at later eras of play for the John Carter of Mars RPG, with Narrator advice on themes and plots from the last eight novels. While not directly related to either Cthulhu game, it shows the breadth of Modiphius 2d20 support for different settings.
- Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Player Bundle: Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Player Bundle contains everything one player needs to start roleplaying in the Wasteland. Another 2d20 game that demonstrates the system's adaptability to different genres.
Which should you play?
Best for
- Groups who love pulp WW2 adventure and fighting occult Nazis.
- Players who want a deep campaign with plenty of supplements.
- Fans of the Modiphius 2d20 system looking for a heroic action game.
Not for
- Those who prefer a fantasy or ancient setting over WW2.
- Groups who want a lighter, more investigation-focused horror game.
- Players who dislike military-themed campaigns.
