(Spoilers Alert)
I've got hold of the new expansion and tried it out with the basic game. While I am pleased with the material and believe FFG has done a good job in expanding the game, I have to say I still hold the same concerns raised in my earlier topic, 'Expansion Content, Why Yig', started 11 April 2014. My view is still that Yig is not an appropriate choice to be a major Ancient One.
FFG have to be careful as to which monsters are chosen as Ancient Ones, and which are the apparently lesser Epic Monsters. Many of Lovecraft's stories don't deal with schemes by Ancient Ones to bring about the end of the world, or something that affects the whole world. 'The Call Of Cthulhu' is one that does fall into this category, but most deal with the horror of humans encountering Lovecraft's creations. (Certainly some races would love to see the Earth destroyed, like the mi go and the Insects of Shaggai), but these are not Ancient Ones.
I have already mentioned about Athlach-Nacha (the Web-Spinner) and Ithaqua (the Wind-Walker) being included as Epic Monsters, despite the fact that they are more dangerous than Yig, and have an effect over a much wider section of the world. The expansion introduces Tulzscha as an Epic Monster. Tulzscha is a God, a member of Azathoth's court, much more potent than Yig. While he can't move when summoned to Earth, this is not the case when he is in space, and can impose his powers of corruption, death and decay over the whole Earth. If Doom reached zero, then Tulzscha can appear as an Epic Monster, needing to be defeated for final victory.
Well we have Yig now, unfortunately. His research cards don't appear to add anything except serpents and the wide spead use of the Poisoned Condition. The special encounter cards would be more appropriate to someone that is underground, like Nyogtha, Tsathoggua, Abhoth or Ubbo Sathla.
FFG have to really think about what to put in future expansions, and make sure the additions aren't just close repeats of what's already in the game.
I've already made some suggestions in the previous article. I'll mention a brief updated list now.
1. Ancient Ones.
Abhoth. God. Danger to the world is his spawn and ability to depopulate an entire area with an illusion of paradise.
Daoloth. God. Danger to the world is his ability to expand indefinitely, like Azathoth, sending people to distant places,and his appearance causing continual madness.
Ghatanothoa. Great Old One. Danger to the world is his ability to petrify on sight and his connection to lloigor.
Groth. God. Danger to the world is if this planet-sized deity draws near to Earth, earthquakes, wave surges and volcanic eruptions will occur on a planet-wide scale.
Hastur. Great Old One. Danger to the world is the spread of madness by 'The King in Yellow' and the wide spread reach of his servitors, the space-faring byakhee.
Nyarlathotep. God. Danger to the world are his Masks, and the various means he uses to make mankind bring death and destruction on itself.
Shudde M'ell. Great Old One. Danger to the world is his connection to chthonians and ability to destroy any part of the world with his earthquakes.
2. Possible Epic Monsters, (perhaps appearing through rumours).
Chaugnar Faugn, Asia, (especially with the Children of Chaugnar Faugn).
Cthugha, random space (city or wilderness).
Cyaegha, Germany
Eihort, England, (especially with the Brood of Eihort).
Glaaki, England, (especially with the undead of Glaaki).
Nyogtha, random space (city or wilderness).
Quachil Uttaus, random space (city or wilderness).
Tsathoggua, N'Kai.
Ubbo-Sathla, Antartica.
Zhar, Asia
Zoth Ommog, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
3. Possible Rumours
The Insects of Shaggai are close to creating a devise that includes a part of Azathoth. If detonated, the shan will finally be able to leave Earth, which however will be utterly devastated,(investigators lose).
The Mi-Go are close to completing Charon, their ultimate machine of war orbiting Yuggoth. If the rumour is not solved then the machine is completed and Earth is conquered, (investigators lose).
I hope others find these comments interesting.
