Tiny Cthulhu Rules Lite;Horror;Cosmic Horror;Low Prep;Quick-Play;Classless;Streamlined;Narrative-Driven

At‑a‑glance: TinyD6 lineage • d6 pools (2–3 dice) • 2–5 players + GM • Low prep • Rules‑lite • 2–3h sessions

Theme and Setting

Tiny Cthulhu brings cosmic horror to the minimalist TinyD6 engine. It embraces Lovecraftian themes—insignificance, dread, and the unknown—without requiring deep system mastery. Adventures range from shadowy investigations and occult conspiracies to nautical terrors and weird science. The text leans into tone and texture, giving you the prompts you need to conjure creeping unease at the table.

Core Mechanics and Rules

At its heart, Tiny Cthulhu uses the hallmark TinyD6 approach: roll 2d6 for a standard test, adding a third die when you have Advantage; any 5+ is a success (two successes for exceptional results, depending on the module in use). Characters are quick to create—pick a few Traits that define capabilities and fears—and advancement is intentionally light. Optional modules layer on sanity tracks, stress, conditions, and investigative tools when you want more texture, but the default remains fast and fiction‑first.

Combat is swingy and brief by design, privileging choices and consequences over tactical granularity. Safety and consent tools are addressed directly, aligning the rules with the game’s emotional aims. Overall, the system puts procedure and pacing in the GM’s hands while keeping numbers off the players’ minds.

What Makes It Unique

Compared to classic percentile‑based mythos games, Tiny Cthulhu strips resolution down to essential signals. That means you can on‑board new players in minutes and keep scenes moving with very little rules talk. The book includes multiple era options and adventure frames, plus guidance for running horror responsibly. Because it’s built on TinyD6, it also interlocks neatly with other Tiny titles if you want to borrow gear lists, adversaries, or setting widgets.

In play, the engine’s low math and clear success thresholds free you to focus on tension building—spotlighting ominous details, pressing hard choices, and letting mysteries unfold. When the horror hits, the system escalates quickly: stress and conditions spiral, plans go sideways, and hard truths come due.

Target Audience and Player Experience

If you want modern cosmic horror with minimal crunch, fast character creation, and strong GM guidance, Tiny Cthulhu is an easy recommendation. It excels at one‑shots and short arcs, convention tables, and groups that value mood over mechanical optimization. Veterans of the genre will appreciate the optional modules for sanity and investigation; newcomers get a welcoming chassis that still delivers dread. Bring a few d6s, dim the lights, and sink into the unknown.