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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gothmog" data-source="post: 1304179" data-attributes="member: 317">Well, I can't speak for everyone, but the reason I'm not crazy about d20 Cthulhu is because it is conducive to a style of play that I don't find fits well in a CoC game.  The d20 version has much more of a pulp feel to it- more like Inidiana Jones vs. Cthulhu.  In that atmosphere, the characters are abnormally tough compared to the CoC beasties, and I have routinely seen the group engage ghouls and deep ones in melee combat!  This is due to the escalating hit point mechanic of the d20 system (which is partially alleviated by the 10 point DC 15 Fort save rule, but tough/high-level characters don't need to worry about this).  While the bigger critters are still more than most characters could handle, the d20 version encourages combat much more than the BRP version does.  Its basically CoC meets D&D, and thats not a feel I want in my CoC game.The other aspect I'm not crazy about is that a character in d20 CoC cannot start as competent, much less an expert in his chosen field.  At best, a CoC archaeology professor with the right feats and high stats might start with a +7 to +10 in his chosen speciality, compared to a 70-80% in Archaeology in BRP for an archaelolgy professor.  In addition, it becomes more difficult to advance skills in BRP as the character gets better at them, while the d20 character has quick linear advancement.  Thats a big difference.  BRP also encourages characters to practice the skills they want to use, rather than accumulate XP to boost ALL their skills.So, while d20 CoC would be good for a pulp-era Cthulhu game with a more cinematic feel, its horrid for the pervasive cosmic horror atmosphere Lovecraft tried to convey in his stories that mankind is insignificant.  And yes, I have played both BRP (years) and d20 CoC (12 sessions), so I feel I have a basis to make the arguement.  I'm not saying d20 CoC is bad, because its clearly not, but its not very true to the atmoshpere and feel of the setting.  Overall, d20 CoC has been good for the CoC fanbase, no arguement there- the more people interested in CoC, the longer the line is supported.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /></blockquote>

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