Check out D&D's version of Cthulhu, via WizKids' new miniature for Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

WizKids has provided retailers with a first look at the Dungeons & Dragons version of Cthulhu as it appears in the upcoming book Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. WizKids will be releasing a new Cthulhu figure that ties into the upcoming Ravenloft book, with the book due for release in June. The new figure sits on a 100 mm base and comes with a special iridescent paint scheme that makes it look perennially wet. The painted version of the figure will cost $79.99, while an unpainted version costs $69.99. Both versions of Cthulhu are due for release in October 2026.

This version of Cthulhu looks significantly different than classic depictions of the elder god, with Cthulhu sporting multiple wings and tentacles in place of traditional limbs. Notably, Cthulhu's head is also semi-translucent, with its brain visible underneath a rounded flap of skin. It appears that this version of Cthulhu drew heavy inspiration from an octopus. You can take a look at Cthulhu down below:

Wizards confirmed that Cthulhu, the classic elder being created by HP Lovecraft, will be featured in Ravenloft: The Horror Within as a Darklord. Innsmouth, a New England town featured in multiple Lovecraft stories, will also appear as a new Domain of Dread. Of course, Cthulhu has a long history with D&D, having appeared in early versions of the game before being pulled due to a license issue tied to rival game Call of Cthulhu. Now that Cthulhu and Lovecraft's other works are in the public domain, Wizards has decided to bring the eldritch being back into D&D canon.

 

[Dire Bare]

Mainly WotC recycling all this old stuff to jam it into their D&D IP rather than trying to come up with something new.

Again, that ship sailed back in 1974. It's somewhat foundational to the game.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

They made him less humanoid and more eldritch aberration, which is good in my books

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You can see where this guy’s rubber suit zips up at the front!

 

[Tonguez]

They made him less humanoid and more eldritch aberration, which is good in my books. As for the "glass helmet" it reminds me more of a Metroid, though Cthulhu is technically an "Alien"

Well, technically isn't Cthulhu a space alien?

yeah I did hestitate on that word, as Lovecraft said there is no language to define the eldritch lunacy of Cthulhu or distinguish between foreign national, creature from another planet or incomprehensible cosmic entity from beyond the stars...

 

[DarkCrisis]

Not a fan. The old Horror Clix one was pretty awesome though.

 

[MGibster]

You can see where this guy’s rubber suit zips up at the front!

It was before CGI!

 

[Charlaquin]

Hmm… I like the oil slick look to the paint job, but the sculpt doesn’t do it for me.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

The distinct lack of pillows suggests he does not, in fact, lie dreaming in his house at R'lyeh.

 

[dave2008]

Mainly WotC recycling all this old stuff to jam it into their D&D IP rather than trying to come up with something new.

That was not clear at all from your statement. Why bring up Paizo - for doing the same thing - then? Your messaging appears very confused from an outsider's perspective.

I mean, if that is your opinion, why not just say that to begin with?

 

[dave2008]

I guess the word I was missing there was .. cheap.

Care to explain how including Cthulhu (who was in the original TSR Deities and Demigods in 1980) is cheap? I fail to see how that term describes its inclusion - care to enlighten me?

 

[dave2008]

Not a fan. The old Horror Clix one was pretty awesome though.

The one below? I think that is fine, but it looks to much like a person in suit for my taste. Cthulhu should not be so easily recognizable as humanoid IMO. And those claws to not look flabby!