What Editions of Cthulhu Wars Exist?
Petersen Games has sold the Cthulhu Wars core box across three numbered print editions: Onslaught 2 (O2), Onslaught 3 (O3), and the current Onslaught 4 (O4). O2 and O3 also shipped in language-localized printings, including Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and German versions, several of which are the only in-stock way to buy the core game today.
The "O" numbering is a print-run label, not a variant flag on a single listing. Each edition is its own standalone product on the Petersen Games store, with its own SKU: CWO2 for the Onslaught 2 core, CWO3 for Onslaught 3, CWO4 for the current Onslaught 4 core, and edition-specific codes like CWO3-JP for the O3 Japanese printing. That's a real distinction, not marketing language. You're not buying a "version" of one product page. You're buying a specific print run.
Each box is a complete, standalone game. None of the O2, O3, or O4 listings are add-ons or expansions, they're full core sets built for 2 to 4 players, expandable to 8 with faction packs sold separately.
What's Actually Different Between the O2, O3, and O4 Boxes?
Less than the numbering makes it sound. The core system hasn't changed. Every edition, English or localized, ships the same four playable factions: Great Cthulhu, Crawling Chaos (Nyarlathotep), Black Goat (Shub-Niggurath), and Yellow Sign (Hastur, the King in Yellow). That roster is consistent across every current product listing we checked, O2 through O4, language editions included.
Where the pages diverge is presentation. The O2 listings use a short marketing description with no itemized parts list, the edition is identified mainly by a closing line like "Onslaught 2 Japanese Edition." The O3 and O4 listings switch to a longer format with a "What's in This Massive Box" breakdown. That's a copy and packaging refresh between O2 and O3, not proof of a specific new part added. Petersen Games doesn't publish a component-by-component changelog between print runs, so treat exact deltas below the total miniature count as undocumented rather than guess at them.
What is documented: the O4 core is the current, actively produced edition, and it's the one all current faction expansions and Great Old One packs are developed against. It lists at $249.00. O2 and O3 are earlier print runs. As of this writing, the O4 core box itself is showing sold out on its own product page, while several O2 and O3 language printings, priced at $179.99 (marked down from $199.99), are the ones actually sitting in stock with an active add-to-cart button. That's worth knowing before you assume "current edition" automatically means "in stock."
Is the Japanese Edition Different from the US Edition?
Not in game content, based on what Petersen Games publishes. The Cthulhu Wars O3 Japanese Edition (SKU CWO3-JP) uses the identical product description as its English O3 counterpart, word for word, down to the same faction list and the same "2-4 players, expandable to 8" line. What the storefront doesn't spell out is the precise scope of localization, whether it's rulebook text only or extends further into component cards. If that level of detail matters for your table, confirm it with Petersen Games support before ordering rather than assuming.
Here's the practical part. Right now the Japanese printings are doing real work for buyers. The O3 Japanese Edition is live and orderable at $179.99, while the plain O3 (English) listing is sold out. The O2 Japanese Edition is also in stock at $179.99, while O2 English is sold out. If you want a complete Cthulhu Wars core box shipped this week rather than a "notify me" wait on a restock, a Japanese-labeled printing is currently your fastest real path to the table.
The Cthulhu Wars O3 Japanese Edition product page has current price and stock. It's the edition we'd point a new buyer to today if the O4 core isn't sitting in stock when you check.
What About the Russian, Spanish, and German Printings?
Mixed availability, and it changes. The O3 Russian Edition is currently in stock at $179.99, the same price point as the O3 Japanese Edition and built from the same underlying core game. The O2 Spanish Edition and the O2 DE (German) edition both exist as separate product listings on the site, but both were showing sold out at the time of writing.
One thing worth flagging directly: as of this writing, there's no O3-numbered Spanish or German listing on the storefront. Those two language printings top out at O2 right now. That could change with a future print run, but don't assume an O3 German box exists just because O3 Japanese and O3 Russian do. Check the live listing for the specific language and edition number you want before you commit.
Which Edition Should You Buy Right Now?
Depends on what you're optimizing for. If you specifically want the current O4 core in English and it's showing sold out when you check, your options are wait for restock or buy a currently-available language printing and treat any non-English packaging or rulebook as part of the deal. Faction expansions, Great Old One packs, and map packs are built to work with the core game regardless of which numbered edition or language printing you own, so a Japanese or Russian O3 core doesn't lock you out of the wider expansion ecosystem.
If you want a playable copy shipping this week and you're comfortable with a localized box, the O3 Japanese Edition at $179.99 is the strongest current value in the lineup: same 72-miniature core game, same four factions, and a lower price than O4's $249.00 list. Collectors chasing a specific print run for the shelf are a different case, if a particular Kickstarter-era O2 or O3 box matters to your collection specifically, that's a collectibility call, not a gameplay one.
Where Can You Buy a Foreign-Language Edition of Cthulhu Wars?
Directly from Petersen Games, same as the domestic listings. The O3 Japanese Edition product page shows live price and stock and is the fastest way to check whether it's still orderable when you're reading this. The full Cthulhu Wars collection lists every current core edition and language printing side by side, along with the faction expansions and Great Old One packs that work across all of them.
On timing: in-stock orders process within 48 hours (two business days, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). US orders ship via USPS Ground Advantage, typically 2 to 5 business days in transit. Canadian orders ship via DHL Ground, typically 3 to 7 business days in transit. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and size, there's no standing free-shipping offer running.
Petersen Games owns Cthulhu Wars, its factions, and its expansions outright. The wider Lovecraft mythos the game draws from, Cthulhu, the Great Old Ones, and the rest, originated with H. P. Lovecraft and has been public domain, shared territory for other creators for decades. The O-numbered editions themselves trace back to a series of Kickstarter campaigns, which is standard practice for large-scale miniature games funding new print runs and international localization batches. Meeple Mountain's review of the game is a reasonable outside read if you want a second opinion before spending on any edition.[1]
FAQ: Cthulhu Wars Edition and Language Questions Answered
What editions of Cthulhu Wars exist?
Three numbered core editions: Onslaught 2 (O2), Onslaught 3 (O3), and the current Onslaught 4 (O4). O2 and O3 also shipped as separate language printings, including Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and German versions, each listed as its own product on the Petersen Games store.
Is the Japanese edition different from the US edition?
Not in the core game content, based on the published product description, which is identical to the English O3 listing aside from the language label. The exact scope of localization (rulebook only versus other components) isn't itemized on the page, so confirm with Petersen Games support if that detail matters to you.
What's the difference between O2, O3, and O4?
The playable four-faction core system is consistent across all three. The visible differences are packaging and product-page presentation (O2 uses a short description, O3 and O4 use a longer itemized breakdown) and production status: O4 is the current, actively manufactured core, while O2 and O3 are earlier print runs still selling through remaining and language-specific stock.
Where can I buy a foreign-language edition of Cthulhu Wars?
Directly from Petersen Games. The Cthulhu Wars O3 Japanese Edition and O3 Russian Edition product pages show live price and stock, and the full Cthulhu Wars collection page lists every core edition and language printing currently available in one place.
Does the edition or language printing affect which expansions I can buy?
No. Faction expansions, Great Old One packs, and map packs are built to work with the core game regardless of which numbered edition or language printing you own. An O3 Japanese or O3 Russian core box doesn't limit which expansions you can add later.
Want to see which Cthulhu Wars edition is actually in stock right now? The Cthulhu Wars O3 Japanese Edition is currently orderable at $179.99 and ships through Petersen Games' standard 48-hour processing window, no waiting on an O4 restock required.
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