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This guide has not yet been updated for the current season. Please keep this in mind while reading. You can see the most recently updated guides on the browse guides page

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MADNESS AT IT'S CLIMAX! Cthulhu Season 8 Guide Patch 8.6

26 6 44,748

8.9

by updated

Smite God: Cthulhu

Tap Mouse over an item or ability icon for detailed info

Cthulhu Build

Start #1 (standard

Notes This build is dedicated to staying in your lane before you want to recall, so you get as much gold as possible. You want to next buy on your first recall, then you can work up from there.

Warrior's Axe

Glowing Emerald

Healing Potion

Mana Potion

Full Build #1 (standard

Notes If you are going against a physical enemies you could switch up the order. switched for . here isn't

Sundering Axe

Stone of Gaia

Shoes of the Magi

Void Stone

Breastplate of Valor

Mantle of Discord

Start #2 (Fine Okay's Build)

Magic Shoes

Chalice of Healing

Hand of the Gods

Full build #2 (FineOkay Build)

Notes Basically this is just giving your teamates an advantage in team fights.

Shoes of the Magi

Breastplate of Valor

Void Stone

Lotus Sickle

Compassion

Ethereal Staff

Start #3 (Anti-heal)

Tainted Steel

Breastplate

Healing Potion

Mana Potion

Full build #3 (Anti-Heal)

Tainted Breastplate

Breastplate of Valor

Shoes of the Magi

Void Stone

Pestilence

Mantle of Discord

Shoe replacements

Emperor's Armor

Mail of Renewal

Sovereignty

Spirit Robe

Witchblade

Genji's Guard

Mantle of Discord

Oni Hunter's Garb

Situational

Ethereal Staff

Hide of the Nemean Lion

Pestilence

Spectral Armor

Sovereignty

Winged Blade

Witchblade

Other viable Starters

Tainted Steel

Warrior's Axe

Warding Sigil

Vampiric Shroud

Blood-Soaked Shroud

Tainted Amulet

Tainted Breastplate

Infused Sigil

Sigil Of The Old Guard

Axe of Animosity

Sundering Axe

Conduit Gem

Archmage's Gem

Gem of Focus

Damage items

Bancroft's Talon

Divine Ruin

Typhon's Fang

Warlock's Staff

WARDS

Sentry Ward

Ward

Relics

Notes I personally wouldn't go Teleport Glyph but it is still an option.

Teleport Fragment

Magic Shell

Blink Rune

Shield of Thorns

Cursed Ankh

Cthulhu's Skill Order Notes You upgrade Sanity Break for that Jungle camp clear which has a lower cooldown than The Mire. I max Sanity Break sometimes, because of that DAMAGE but you could also level The Mire first for that wave clear. Many people upgrade Rushing Terror after The Mire for some reason? I am not sure why but I guess it works.

Notes

You upgrade Sanity Break for that Jungle camp clear which has a lower cooldown than The Mire. I max Sanity Break sometimes, because of that DAMAGE but you could also level The Mire first for that wave clear. Many people upgrade Rushing Terror after The Mire for some reason? I am not sure why but I guess it works.

Sanity Break / Sever

1 X

1 4 6 7 10

The Mire / Devastate

2 A

2 8 11 12 14

Rushing Terror / Transfuse

3 B

3 15 16 18 19

Descend Into Madness

4 Y

5 9 13 17 20

1 4 6 7 10

Sanity Break / Sever

1 X

Sanity Break: Cthulhu sends out a terrifying blast of energy, dealing damage to all enemies hit and reducing their Attack Speed. Enemies hit by this ability also do reduced damage to Cthulhu for 6s.
This ability applies 1 stack of Torment, 2 if the enemy hit is facing Cthulhu or Fears them instead if they are afflicted with Insanity. Successfully consuming Insanity permanently increases the base mitigation of this ability.

Ability Type: Cone, Fear, Damage
Damage: 90 / 140 / 190 / 240 / 290 (+40% of your Magical Power)
Attack Speed Slow: 20 / 22.5 / 25 / 27.5 / 30% for 3s
Fear Duration: 1.5s
Damage Mitigation: 20% + 0.5% (Max 30%)
Cost: 60
Cooldown: 10s

Sever (Ultimate Form): Cthulhu swipes down at the ground beneath him, creating 3 large projectiles. These projectiles damage enemies and apply a stacking Protection Reduction debuff. This ability does not proc item effects.

Ability Type: Line, Debuff, Damage
Damage: 100 / 140 / 180 / 220 / 260 (+25% of your Magical Power)
Protection Reduction: 4% stacking up to 4 times
Debuff Duration: 5s
Cost: 0
Cooldown: 1s

2 8 11 12 14

The Mire / Devastate

2 A

The Mire: Cthulhu summons a portal creating a slowing field of eldritch mire at the target location. The Mire continues to grow as the portal fires out two masses of corruption that hit and damage all enemies in the field. The first shot also Slows enemies while the second Roots them, both hits applying 1 stack of Torment.

Ability Type: Circle, Crowd Control, Damage
Damage per shot: 60 / 105 / 150 / 195 / 240 (+30% of your Magical Power)
Slow: 10%
Corruption Slow: 35%
Corruption Slow/Root Duration: 1s
Mire Duration: 3s after ability end
Cost: 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70
Cooldown: 14s

Devastate (Ultimate Form): Cthulhu fires a devastating blast of psychic energy that damages and knocks up enemies.

Ability Type: Circle, Knockup, Damage
Damage: 140 / 175 / 210 / 245 / 280 (+20% of your Magical Power)
Cost: 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80
Cooldown: 5s

3 15 16 18 19

Rushing Terror / Transfuse

3 B

Rushing Terror: Cthulhu creates two twisting projectiles at his sides as he unfurls his wings and charges forwards, damaging, stunning and knocking away enemies hit. The projectiles follow at a slightly slower pace but travel further, damaging enemies as well. Enemies hit by Cthulhu or the projectiles gain 1 stack of Torment.

Ability Type: Dash, Knockback, Damage
Damage: 70 / 110 / 150 / 190 / 230 (+30% of your Magical Power)
Stun Duration: 0.4s
Projectile Damage: 40 / 70 / 100 / 130 / 160 (+20% of your Magical Power)
Cost: 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80
Cooldown: 16s

Transfuse (Ultimate Form): Cthulhu transfuses his own life force into the area around him giving Allies Health, Movement Speed and Power. Enemies are also hit, taking more damage the closer they are to Cthulhu. This ability damages Cthulhu for 4% of his Maximum Health. If Cthulhu is below 20% Health, this ability does not damage Cthulhu but all Ally effects are reduced by 50%.

Ability Type: Circle, Heal, Damage
Damage: 120 / 140 / 160 / 180 / 200 (+20% of your Magical Power)
Ally Healing: 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9% Max Health
Power: 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40
Movement Speed: 20%
Duration: 3s
Cost: 70
Cooldown: 6s

5 9 13 17 20

Descend Into Madness

4 Y

Cthulhu reveals his true form as he plunges the battlefield into R’lyeh while any enemies caught nearby are damaged.

In this form Cthulhu gains increased Health, becomes immune to Crowd Control and gains access to new abilities. Enemies near Cthulhu gain stacks of Torment, increasing in pace if they are facing him. Enemies also suffer the debuff effects of Sanity Break, causing them to deal less damage to Cthulhu.

Ability Type: Circle, Buff, Damage
Damage: 160 / 205 / 250 / 295 / 340 (+50% of your Magical Power)
Max Health: 20%
Duration: 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14s
Debuff Radius: 50
Cost: 100
Cooldown: 120s

*NOTE* Cthulhu cannot use relics while in his ultimate form.

Cthulhu Threats

Tap each threat level to view Cthulhu’s threats

Max

Major

Even

Minor

Tiny

Horus | Even

Yes... Horus solo is actually a thing. You should be able to outclear Horus by a lot until he gets Golden Blade. Once he gets Golden Blade he should have a very decent clear. He can use Fracture to cancel your The Mire which screws up your clear. If the Horus is smart enough, he could turn the heavy cleave to hit both you and the wave making his wave clear slightly better. DO NOT stand near the wave. If Horus has Golden Blade online, he could use Updraft to not only hit you, but hit the wave with the gust causing WAY more damage because of the Golden Blade effect. Be sure to eliminate the archers first because that is Horus main way of escape using Protector's Surge. I wouldn't rush Anti-heal items until later in the match because that is when Protector's Surge is most effective. But if you are struggling with Horus healing, then feel free to get a bit of anti-heal. Honestly Horus is just a Guan Yu 2.0

King Arthur | Even

King Arthur is one of the best Solo laners this season ATM. Low cooldown high damage ultimate that is near impossible to miss, decent wave clear, shreds your hp even without Warrior Tabi. Against King Arthur you should be mowing down his hp for some pressure so you get a good early game start. Once he gets Stone of Gaia + Reinforced Greeves you shouldn't be wasting time poking him considering he is just going to heal. Do not commit to tower dives. King Arthur has the necessary abilities to not only stall his death, but shred your hp while he is at it. Use your Rushing Terror to cancel his Bladestorm. Be sure to place 2 Ward at the walls that surround the totem on both sides. Enemy junglers love to hang around that area to wait. Buy a Sentry Ward in case the enemy is doing the same.

Tiamat | Major

There is a reason Tiamat was able to banish Cthulhu. Tiamat in the solo lane is very problematic. She can full clear the wave when Primordial Onslaught is at rank 3-4, Ruination is her only way of canceling your The Mire in flying stance, however it is very easy to avoid the middle of it. Summon Serpents is an ability that summons minions to add to your lane. You can already probably guess that will be problematic late game. Especially when you are busy team fighting and if you are not careful, her minions can kill your titan. To counter this you should place Ward in your own lanes to see where the enemy minions are. Grounding Dive is an excellent escape ability that can also be used to chase. It also gives Tiamat a hardened scale for her Death Begets Life which gives her mitigations (30% max). Outburst is able to cancel your The Mire which can screw up your wave clear. However if they are in Ground stance it is likely they are trying to fight you, so forget about the wave clear. Tempest of Undoing is not as much as a problem as others make it out to be, Especially when you are playing a god with almost no crowd control effects. Rising Flight creates big distance between you and Tiamat which makes it very annoying.

Cthulhu Synergies

Tap each synergy level to view Cthulhu’s synergies

Ideal

Strong

Low

None

Introduction

Welcome to my guide.

I made this guide based on experience playing matches, spectating matches, and utilizing information given to me from the smite community.

I spent a lot of time on this guide, however it is still incomplete, so I would appreciate feedback no matter how small.

Abilities

Prey On Fear

Cthulhu breaks down the mental fortitude of enemy gods, applying stacks of Torment with abilities and the final hit of his basic attack chain. On reaching 4 stacks of Torment, enemies are afflicted by Insanity. Additionally, Cthulhu gains Magical Power per nearby enemy god with Insanity.

Sanity Break

Cthulhu sends out a terrifying blast of energy, dealing damage to all enemies hit and reducing their Attack Speed. Enemies hit by this ability also do reduced damage to Cthulhu for 6s.
This ability applies 1 stack of Torment, 2 if the enemy hit is facing Cthulhu or Fears them instead if they are afflicted with Insanity.
Successfully consuming Insanity permanently increases the base mitigation of this ability.

The Mire

Cthulhu summons a portal creating a slowing field of eldritch mire at the target location. While Cthulhu channels, The Mire continues to grow as the portal fires out two masses of corruption that hit and damage all enemies in the field.
The first shot also Slows enemies while the second Roots them, both hits applying 1 stack of Torment. Cancelling the ability early stops The Mire from growing or the portal from firing additional shots.

Rushing Terror

Cthulhu creates two twisting projectiles at his sides as he unfurls his wings and charges forwards, damaging, stunning and knocking away enemies hit.
The projectiles follow at a slightly slower pace but travel further, damaging enemies as well. Enemies hit by Cthulhu or the projectiles gain 1 stack of Torment.

Descend Into Madness

Cthulhu reveals his true form as he plunges the battlefield into R'lyeh while any enemies caught nearby are damaged. In this form Cthulhu gains increased Health, becomes immune to Crowd Control and gains access to new abilities. Enemies near Cthulhu gain stacks of Torment, increasing in pace if they are facing him. Enemies also suffer the debuff effects of Sanity Break, causing them to deal less damage to Cthulhu.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

Sever

Cthulhu swipes down at the ground beneath him, creating 3 large projectiles.
These projectiles damage enemies and apply a stacking Protection Reduction debuff.
This ability does not proc item effects.

Devastate

Cthulhu fires a devastating blast of psychic energy that damages and knocks up enemies.

Transfuse

Cthulhu transfuses his own life force into the area around him giving Allies Health, Movement Speed and Power. Enemies are also hit, taking more damage the closer they are to Cthulhu.
This ability damages Cthulhu for 6% of his Maximum Health. If Cthulhu is below 20% Health, this ability does not damage Cthulhu but all Ally effects are reduced by 50%.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Cons

High damage

Not enough crowd control to be a support

Great Mobility

Not many synergies

Excels at teamfights

Long Cooldowns

Tanky

Great Wave Clear

Amazing Engage

Can look over large structures due to size

Annoying Passive for enemies

Early/Mid/Late

Early

During the Early game after you clear your blue buff, you are most likely going to outclear your opponent which gives you lots of time to push the opponent to their tower and then you can secure the Totem. You should repeat this process until your jungler decides to gank your lane which in that case you should back up to your tower and let them step outside their tower line, then your jungler should gank and so should you. If the gank was proven succesful, you win the early game (If you are able to keep up the wave pressure while avoiding enemy ganks). However in some cases the enemy might be playing a god with better wave clear than you. In that case you should be playing safe until you reach level 5 which gets you to be a really tanky boy. At level 5 you should be POKING the living hell out of the enemy to make them waste Health pots which can eventually lead them to being forced to recall. If they recalled before you did then you are in the lead.

Mid

During the mid game you will want to buy 2 for your side of the map but also on the enemy's side. You should be placing your wards behind the walls that are next to the Totem as well as placing a ward near the enemy's buff or at the buff. These are the most common places junglers lurk. If you have a big lead then you should consider rotating sometimes. Sometimes the Junglers may catch you off surprise and gank you. However you have DAMAGE, and DEFENSE on your side so You could fight it but NEVER use aggressively in this situation.

Late

During the late game you kind of just let your brain run itself. You inflict on basically any god you come across and a chance to win that sweet achievement and such. Your can be very helpful during fights as it buffs your teamates giving them an edge in battle. You excel at teamfights so your presence will certainly change a lot. the fire giant and be sure to secure every ONI fury kill. Oni fury gives a lot of wave pressure that rarely anyone will see.

Gods Cthulhu Counters

I will be rating the counters based on Okay/Even/Extreme/Major (Examples)

Major

In both Solo lane and Jungle, Ao kuang will have a difficult time killing you. You can use your to cc immune his so you wont need to worry about executing you, Unless of course your ultimate is down. You should always be aware of the fact that has a 90s cd while has a 120s cd. So you should be extra careful. However it is always an option to flee a fight from if the opportunity presents itself. should never be used aggressively against Ao Kuang Specifically. If the is solo, then you should be easily winning the early game. has a way better wave clear than which can give you time to poke the hell out of him.

Extreme

is a really good pick in the solo lane right now. But so is . When the uses you should use to cancel the ability screwing up both his wave clear and damage dealt to you. Leaving his only form of wave clear and damage to . Dont stand in the wave line as not only could clear the wave decently, but also bring down a chunk of your hp. Getting is not a very bad idea considering and all heal a large amount of 's hp. When uses , then it will probably mean that he has his jungler in the area. Use your ultimate to negate the knockup, then look around for the enemy jungler, if you see a sneaky midget hiding, then you should get the hell out of there. If you dont see a Jungler, Then you are free to fight but should consider the fact that their mid laner may rotate or their Jungler has a very good hiding spot. Stay near your tower.

Even

Despite getting nerfed before release and after release, he is still a very good for the solo lane. His wave clear is worse than yours so you should have better early game pressure. While you are using , the may attempt to Dropkick you to cancel the ability. Avoid it if you can but it really isn't that big of a deal as that would mean abandoning his wave clear and going in for some damage, hits hard with his so beware of that. During his you could use your to become CC immune. But sometimes your is still on cooldowns. Getting is a smart idea especially against . If the is beating the living hell out of you with then you have the option to create some distance with but beware for as it will close the distance you created with . You could also get to make boxing with him easier.

]

Okay

is a hunter that I do not see at all in the solo lane, so chances are you will meet him during the lategame. However he is still a problem even without being where you are. is really annoying to deal with sometimes as it blinds you disabling you to see your surroundings making it difficult to see enemies coming or where you are going (Unless you look on the map). However turns you into a giant, and if you didn't know this by now makes you tower over the effects of allowing you to see completely.

Item Choices

Breastplate Of Valor

This item is one of the most common items in the game built for both supports and solo laners, and there is a good reason why. Breastplate Of valor gives a 20% cdr which is very good for gods with long cooldowns. Specifically . It gives 200 mana, and 10 MP5 which is really good for gods that consume mana fast. also gives 65 physical defense which is a lot compared to the other physical defense items in the game.

Stone Of Gaia

Stone of Gaia right now is just broken. Item restores 0.5% of your hp per second while also giving mp5 and hp5 making this a very good sustain item for the solo lane. You also gain 15% of your max hp if you are affected by displacements crowd controls aside from vortexes. This item is built on solo laners a lot this season because of this high sustain.

Shoes Of Magi

Shoes of Magi is an optional item I really recommend grabbing early. It gives a great power spike that helps clear lane easier, as well as damage your opponent. On top of that there is a 12% lifesteal on it. It doesn't help as much as the other lifesteal items but it does help a little bit. The rest of the shoes are pretty good too, but personally this is my pick.

Void stone

Really good item for this season. Gives a decent amount of health, and magical protections making you tankier while also giving you more magical damage and a penetration aura making it a really good item for both offence and defense.

Oni hunter's garb

works really well with because of the mitigations it gives while being around enemies which is amazing with max stacks on .

Pridwen

Pridwen is a very good Item on solo laners this season because of it's 20% cdr and the shield it gives you when you use a ultimate. Though on I would argue that it isn't as good. His ultimate is a transformation ultimate that does not go on cooldown until you resume your original form. When you ult as you should be expecting to get get through half the team fight there making the shield after not very useful unless you tower dive. I am not a very big fan of on but if it works for you then go for it.

Mentions

Link to fineokay video

MADNESS AT IT'S CLIMAX! Cthulhu Season 8 Guide Patch 8.6

Smite God: Cthulhu

Cthulhu Build

Start #1 (standard

Notes

Full Build #1 (standard

Notes

Start #2 (Fine Okay's Build)

Full build #2 (FineOkay Build)

Notes

Start #3 (Anti-heal)

Full build #3 (Anti-Heal)

Shoe replacements

Situational

Other viable Starters

Damage items

WARDS

Relics

Notes

Notes

Sanity Break / Sever

The Mire / Devastate

Rushing Terror / Transfuse

Descend Into Madness

Sanity Break / Sever

The Mire / Devastate

Rushing Terror / Transfuse

Descend Into Madness

Cthulhu Threats

Achilles | Maximum

Scylla | Maximum

Tsukuyomi | Maximum

Bakasura | Even

Chernobog | Even

Horus | Even

King Arthur | Even

Mulan | Even

Odin | Even

Sun Wukong | Even

Tyr | Even

Anhur | Major

Athena | Major

Guan Yu | Major

Janus | Major

Tiamat | Major

Thoth | Minor

Cthulhu Synergies

Athena | OK

Introduction

Abilities

Abilities

Sanity Break

The Mire

Rushing Terror

Descend Into Madness

Sever

Devastate

Transfuse

Pros/Cons

Pros

Cons

Early/Mid/Late

Early

Mid

Late

Gods Cthulhu Counters

I will be rating the counters based on Okay/Even/Extreme/Major (Examples)

Major

Extreme

Even

Okay

Item Choices

Item Choices

Breastplate Of Valor

Stone Of Gaia

Shoes Of Magi

Void stone

Oni hunter's garb

Pridwen

Mentions

Leave a Comment This author would like to receive feedback
and suggestions about their guide.