Cthulhu Saves Christmas Boss Guide: Strategies for The League of Christmas Evil

Last Updated on 3 November, 2025

He is the Great Old One, the Master of R’lyeh, the cosmic entity that will one day devour the world in a tide of madness. But first, Cthulhu must save Christmas. After a mysterious foe strips him of his powers, Cthulhu finds himself in a bizarre alliance with the heroes of Christmas lore to stop the League of Christmas Evil. Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a hilarious, festive, and surprisingly deep turn-based JRPG from the minds at Zeboyd Digital.

This game blends classic turn-based combat with a unique “Insanity” system and a “R’lyehtionship” social system. This guide will walk you through every chapter, provide winning strategies for every boss, and help you master the art of making friends with reindeer.

Quick Fact: This game is a prequel to Zeboyd’s previous game, Cthulhu Saves the World. You will see several returning characters and inside jokes, but Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a standalone story.

Table of Contents

• Part 1: How to Win (The Core Mechanics)
  • Combat 101: Breaking Insanity
  • The Random Battle System
• Part 2: How to Make Friends (R’lyehtionships)
• Part 3: The Prologue
• Part 4: Chapter 1 – The Holiday of Ice (Boss: Jack Frost)
• Part 5: Chapter 2 – The Grey-t Old One (Boss: Mari Lwyd)
• Part 6: Chapter 3 – The Grinch Who Stole… Wait, No (Boss: Krampus)
• Part 7: Chapter 4 – The League of Christmas Evil (Boss: The Paka)
• Part 8: The Post-Game (New Game+ and Insane Mode)
• Conclusion: The True Meaning of Cthulhu-mas

Part 1: How to Win (The Core Mechanics)

Before you can save the holidays, you need to understand how to win a fight. Your party consists of Cthulhu, Belsnickel, the Snow Maiden, and Baba Yaga’s Chicken-Legged Hut. Each has a unique role.

Combat 101: Breaking Insanity

This is the most important system in the game. Every enemy has two health bars:

1. Insanity (Purple Bar): This is a shield. Enemies take dramatically reduced Vitality damage while they have Insanity. You must break this bar first.
2. Vitality (Green Bar): This is the enemy’s true health.

Your goal in every fight is to destroy the Insanity bar as quickly as possible.

1. Phase 1: Break Them: Use abilities with a purple icon. These abilities deal heavy Insanity damage. Cthulhu’s “Insane Strike” is your bread-and-butter.
2. Phase 2: Shatter Them: When an enemy’s Insanity bar hits zero, they “Break.” A “Broken” enemy is stunned for one turn and takes massively increased Vitality damage.
3. Phase 3: Destroy Them: When an enemy is “Broken,” hit them with your strongest green icon (Vitality) abilities. Baba Yaga’s “Hut Smash” or Belsnickel’s magic spells will deal colossal damage.

Combat Tips:

1. One Foe at a Time: Focus all your Insanity attacks on a single target until they Break. Splitting your damage is inefficient.
2. Unite Attacks: As you build R’lyehtionships, you unlock “Unite” commands. These are powerful team-up moves that do not cost a turn and can often hit all enemies. Use them as soon as they are available.
3. Hyper Mode: As you fight, a “Hyper” meter fills for each character. When full, you can activate it on their turn. Hyper mode doubles the character’s damage and makes their abilities free for that turn.

The Random Battle System

This game has no grinding. Each dungeon has a fixed number of random battles (usually 10 or 15). You can see this counter in the menu.

1. Winning a random battle gives you items (like candy canes and potions) instead of XP.
2. After you complete your quota, random battles stop. You can then explore the dungeon freely.
3. You can also choose to “Fight More” from the menu to initiate extra battles. This is useful if you are running low on healing items.
4. Conversely, you can “Avoid” battles, but this is not recommended. You need the items.

Your main source of power comes from leveling up, which happens automatically after you defeat a chapter’s boss.

Quick Reminder: There is no in-game shop. So, all your equipment and items come from winning the fixed number of battles in each dungeon or from completing R’lyehtionship events.

Part 2: How to Make Friends (R’lyehtionships)

Between each dungeon, you will spend time in town. This is the “R’lyehtionship” system. Cthulhu will have a few time slots to hang out with various characters.

1. Characters: You can build relationships with your party members (Snow Maiden, Belsnickel, Baba Yaga) and other town folk (like Crystal the Reindeer or Cthulhu’s #1 fan, Mr. Awesome).
2. Benefits: Raising your R’lyehtionship rank (from D to C, B, A, and S) unlocks new, powerful passive skills and combat abilities. For example, raising Belsnickel’s rank might unlock a new Fire spell, while raising Snow Maiden’s rank might unlock a team-up “Unite” ability.
3. The Catch: You have a limited number of time slots. You cannot max out every character in a single playthrough.

R’lyehtionship Strategy:
For your first playthrough, focus on your three party members: Belsnickel, Snow Maiden, and Baba Yaga. The combat abilities and Unite moves you unlock from them are far more valuable than the items you get from side characters.

Heads-Up: After a character uses an ability, it cannot be used again until you use that character’s specific Recharge (or Defend) command. You cannot spam your strongest attacks; every fight is a puzzle of using your skills and knowing when to reset them.

Part 3: The Prologue

The game begins with Cthulhu waking up, ready to begin his reign of terror. He finds his powers have been stolen and sealed in a magical crystal. He meets the League of Christmas Evil, a group of festive villains. This section is a short tutorial that teaches you the basics of Insanity and Vitality combat.

Resource Note: All your combat items (like Candy Canes and Potions) are single-use per battle, but they recharge after every fight. So, do not be afraid to use your items to win a tough random encounter; you will get them all back for the next fight.

Part 4: Chapter 1 – The Holiday of Ice (Boss: Jack Frost)

After the prologue, you have your first R’lyehtionship segment. Choose to hang out with Belsnickel, who joins your party.

1. Party Member: Belsnickel. He is your primary magic-user and debuffer. He excels at dealing both Insanity and Vitality damage.
2. Dungeon: Christmas Tree Land. A straightforward, linear forest. Fight all 10 random battles to stock up on healing items. You will find several chests with new equipment. Always equip new gear immediately.
3. Boss: Jack Frost
4. Gimmick: Jack Frost is a magic-user who is weak to Fire. He will periodically summon two Snowmen minions to help him.

Strategy

1. Ignore the Snowmen: Do not waste your attacks on the minions. They are a distraction. Focus all your attacks on Jack Frost.
2. Break Him: Use Cthulhu’s “Insane Strike” and Belsnickel’s “Mental Assault” to shred Jack’s Insanity bar.
3. Burn Him: Once Jack Frost is “Broken,” have Belsnickel use his Fire spell. This is super-effective and will deal massive damage. Cthulhu should use his strongest Vitality attack.
4. Repeat: Jack’s Insanity will recover. Simply repeat the process. Use your Unite attack as soon as it is ready. This fight is a simple introduction to the core boss-fighting loop.

Practical Tip: During R’lyehtionship segments, you cannot see all the rewards. While party members give combat skills, NPCs like Crystal the Reindeer or Mr. Awesome often give you unique, powerful pieces of equipment you cannot get anywhere else.

Part 5: Chapter 2 – The Grey-t Old One (Boss: Mari Lwyd)

You return to town. The Snow Maiden joins your cause. In the R’lyehtionship phase, spend time with Snow Maiden and Belsnickel to upgrade their abilities.

1. Party Member: The Snow Maiden. She is your dedicated healer and support character. She can restore Vitality, Insanity (a rare and useful skill), and buff the party.
2. Dungeon: The “A Christmas Carol” book. You are transported into a world of Dickensian ghosts. This dungeon is slightly more complex, but still linear. Complete your 10 random battles.
3. Boss: Mari Lwyd
4. Gimmick: Mari Lwyd is a large, undead horse skull. This boss is an endurance test. She has a very high Insanity bar and uses powerful party-wide attacks that inflict both Vitality and Insanity damage.

Strategy

1. Heal and Support: Snow Maiden is the most valuable player in this fight. Her “Soothing Words” (group Vitality heal) and “Clear Mind” (group Insanity heal) are essential. Use them after Mari Lwyd’s big attacks.
2. Focus Fire: Have Cthulhu and Belsnickel focus all their purple-icon attacks on Mari Lwyd. Do not let up.
3. Break and Burn: This will take longer than Jack Frost. Once she finally “Breaks,” activate Hyper mode on Belsnickel and Cthulhu. Unload with your strongest Vitality attacks (like Belsnickel’s Fire/Ice spells).
4. Stay Healthy: Do not get greedy. It is better to spend a turn healing with Snow Maiden than to risk a party member dying.

Survival Tip: The Unstoppable buff is the game’s death prevention status. Cthulhu can get this from his Hyper Mode. If a character with Unstoppable takes fatal damage, their HP will drop to 1 instead of 0, saving them from death.

Part 6: Chapter 3 – The Grinch Who Stole… Wait, No (Boss: Krampus)

You are back in town. The final party member, Baba Yaga’s Chicken-Legged Hut, joins you. You now have your full team of four. Spend your R’lyehtionship time with your new party members.

1. Party Member: Baba Yaga’s Hut. This is your tank and physical powerhouse. The Hut can “Protect” allies (taking damage for them) and deals incredible physical Vitality damage.
2. Dungeon: Christmas Eve. You will explore the town, which is now a dungeon. Complete your 15 random battles to stock up on the best healing items (like Fruitcake).
3. Boss: Krampus
4. Gimmick: Krampus is a pure physical threat. He hits very hard. His most dangerous move is “Kidnap.” After a few turns, he will grab one of your party members and stuff them in his bag, removing them from the fight permanently.

Strategy

1. This is a DPS Race: You must defeat Krampus before he kidnaps your whole party. You cannot be defensive.
2. Protect the Healer: Have Baba Yaga’s Hut use “Protect” on the Snow Maiden. This ensures your healer stays alive.
3. Break Him. Fast. Go all-out with Insanity attacks from Cthulhu and Belsnickel. Do not waste time with buffs.
4. Unleash the Hyper: The moment Krampus is “Broken,” use everyone’s Hyper mode. Have Baba Yaga use “Hut Smash,” have Belsnickel use his strongest magic, and have Cthulhu use his best Vitality attack. Your goal is to kill him in one or two “Broken” cycles.
5. If He Kidnaps: If he kidnaps Snow Maiden, you must rely on items to heal. If he kidnaps Baba Yaga, your party becomes vulnerable. Prioritize breaking him over everything else.

Pro Tip: Your Unite attacks are shared by the whole party and do not cost a turn. So, you can (and should) use a Unite attack on the same turn a character is also using their Hyper mode for a massive burst of damage.

Part 7: Chapter 4 – The League of Christmas Evil (Boss: The Paka)

This is the finale. You have your last R’lyehtionship segment. Max out the ranks for your core party. This will unlock their most powerful Unite moves and passive skills.

1. Dungeon: The North Pole. This is the final dungeon. It is longer than the previous ones and has a higher battle counter. Use these fights to stock up. The game is about to test you.
2. Boss Gauntlet: You must first fight all three previous bosses again (Jack Frost, Mari Lwyd, and Krampus). You are now much stronger and have a full party. Use the same strategies as before. They will fall very quickly.

Final Boss: The Paka (Leader of the League)

• 1. Phase 1 (The Paka and his Henchmen): The Paka starts the fight with his two strongest allies.
     • Strategy: You must defeat the henchmen first. They will buff The Paka and deal heavy damage. Focus all your Insanity attacks on one henchman, break them, and destroy them. Then, do the same for the second henchman.
     • During this phase, have Baba Yaga “Protect” Snow Maiden. Have Snow Maiden use her group heals every time the party takes damage.
  2. Phase 2 (The Paka Alone): Once his allies are gone, The Paka gets serious.
     • Gimmick: He will charge up and unleash his ultimate attack: “True Naughty.” This attack deals catastrophic damage to your whole party’s Vitality and Insanity.

Strategy: This is the final battle.

1. After he uses “True Naughty,” your first priority is healing. Use Snow Maiden’s “Soothing Words” (group heal) and “Clear Mind” (group Insanity heal).
2. Unload all your Insanity attacks to Break him.
3. Once he is “Broken,” use every Hyper mode you have. This is the moment you saved them for.
4. Use your strongest Vitality attacks: Baba Yaga’s “Hut Smash,” Belsnickel’s best spell, and Cthulhu’s “Death Blow.”
5. He will survive this and recover. Your job is to survive his next “True Naughty” and repeat the cycle. Use your best healing items (Fruitcake) if needed.

Quest Tip: Your R’lyehtionship progress is the main side-quest. Since you cannot max out everyone in one run, New Game+ is required to see all the story content and get all the rewards.

Part 8: The Post-Game (New Game+ and Insane Mode)

Congratulations! You have defeated the League of Christmas Evil and saved the holiday. Cthulhu learns the true meaning of R’lyehtionships. After the credits, the game unlocks new modes.

1. New Game+: You can restart the game from the beginning. You keep all your unlocked abilities, bestiary information, and, most importantly, all your R’lyehtionship levels. Enemies are stronger, but you are now powerful enough to max out every R’lyehtionship in a single run.
2. Insane Difficulty: A much harder mode for players who want a true challenge.
3. Director’s Cut: You can play the game with developer commentary, giving you insight into the game’s creation.

Boss Tip: Against Krampus, his Kidnap ability targets the character with the lowest current HP. You can manipulate this by having Baba Yaga Protect a healthy target, forcing Krampus to grab your high-HP tank instead of your healer.

Conclusion: The True Meaning of Cthulhu-mas

Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a tight, polished, and hilarious adventure. By mastering the Insanity system, you can overcome any foe. By prioritizing your party members in the R’lyehtionship system, you can unlock the power you need to win. You came to destroy the world, but you ended up saving its most annoying holiday. Now go, enjoy your New Game+, and show everyone the true power of friendship (and cosmic horror).