Call of Cthulhu- which version should I buy?

[griff_goodbeard]

I played the old Chaosium version of CoC back when I was in Jr High, and though I don't remember a lot about the rules, I remember having a great time playing in. Everyone siting around on the floor at night with the lights dimmed, scaring the bejezus out of each other. Fifteen years later I've got the itch again.

I've heard that there is a d20 version of CoC out and was thinking of picking it up. I read some reviews over at Amazon, and it seems like people overwhelmingly prefer the old Chaosium version better. I was hoping I could get some imput on what you EnWorlder's thought. It seems that Chaosium is still producing updated versions of their game, and it looks like both would be available at Amazon.

Now I've played D&D since the red basic set days, and I thought the update to d20 was one of the best things that ever happened to D&D. But IIRC there really wasn't a whole lot of combat in CoC (at least not compared to D&D) so I'm wondering how d20 translates to CoC. I also saw that the d20 conversion of CoC was written by Monte Cook, and I really enjoyed what he did with Arcana Unearthed.

SO... Which version do you use, and why?

 

[arwink]

If I was going to run a classic Call of Cthulhu game (Lonely locations, things man not meant to know, everyone dies by the end) I would use the original rules, but for almost everything else (including campaigns meant to last longer than 4 sessions) I'm inclined to go d20 CoC.

I like both versions of the game for different reasons, and they have different advantages and drawbacks. I'd probably stick with d20 if I was only allowed to use one rules-set - it has a slew of GM advice and guidelines that is conspiciously absent from the BRP rules*, and it's slightly more forgiving if you want to bend the genre in new directions.

 

[Gomez]

The Call of Cthulhu D20 is a Wonderful book! Even if you don't plan on running the d20 verison. But I prefer the d20 rules to the BRP one. I have run several games using it and there is no lack of atmosphere or what you would expect from a CoC game. ANd in my humble opinion the rules work so much better.

 

[danzig138]

Like someone said, if it's supposed to last more than a couple of sessions, I'd go with d20. Of course, I just like the d20 version anyway. I'm pretty sure that it seems people prefer the original because most of the people happy with the d20 version didn't go all over the internet to complain about their cherished game getting a d20 facelift.
I always recommend getting both if you can find them on the cheap.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

Either or. D20 tends to have a modern focus, whereas the Chaosium one seems to be 1920's focused mainly.

Rules aside, it's not like the natural progressions of D20 are going to interfere with scaring your players. Trust me on this. (Our highest level is 4 and we have played for a fair while now. He had to retire his character because it was too insane, quite literally gibbering, couldn't sleep for fear of dreams and so on.)

Either is good. To be honest, I prefer the D20 rules. My players understand them better is all.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

d20 here, as well.

Not only is it perfectly great for running CoC, but you can mine it for a million useful bits for other games down the line ... and you can use d20 Modern characters for a higher-power "Delta Green XP" sort of thing, which players really like.

--fje

 

[KaosDevice]

Reallly D20 is, ...uh ok. You know for the lesser beings.

Any version of the BRP is good, they are essentially all the same and equally good. BRP CoC is the absolute eclair of gaming. Elegant, sweet, good and kind of not good for you. Well if you eat to many of them, or play too much BRP CoC.

And lay off the frosting!!

 

[KaosDevice]

Being something of a Call of Cthulhu advocate. (Google (Matt Cowger) that's all I have to say) I liked the d20 version but the BRP version is so easy and quick, I am suprised sometimes people prefer the D20 versions. The D20 book is gorgeous, no lie, but so is the leather bound BRP Coc book (which I would sleep with if I was wierder). But the system of the D20 COC book was kinda lame. I don't think level systems are apropos for every game.

And now I will be stoned to death.

 

[trancejeremy]

The best thing about the d20 system version is that is actually has a skill system that works plausibly.

In BRP, at least CoC, all skills have pretty much the same chance to suceed. Like if you have a skill of 70% in surgery, it means that 70% of that characters surgeries are successful. No matter how hard or how tough the surgery is.

d20 is better because it has both difficulties for different tasks; and it allows automatic successes for tasks (the take 10 and take 20 rules).

The combat is pretty much a wash. At lower levels, d20 characters have fewer HP than their BRP counterparts, and at higher levels, they still have to deal with the massive damage rules (any time a character takes more than 10 hp of damage, they have to see if they die). Also, d20 characters cannot dodge bullets. In BRP, the attack rolls to hit. Then the guy who has been hit rolls his dodge skill to see if it misses. Which I never liked much.

The d20 version also has rules for pyschics. Which may or may not interest you.

OTOH, the BRP version is better supported, with a gazillion books. d20 has I think 5? (3 place books, 1 gm screen, and an adventure from FFG. And Delta Green if it ever comes out...)

Personally, I have CoC d20, plus 1st, 4th, 5.6 and 6th editions. Of the BRP Versions, 4th is probably the best, IMHO.

 

[Turanil]

I read some reviews over at Amazon, and it seems like people overwhelmingly prefer the old Chaosium version better. I was hoping I could get some imput on what you EnWorlder's thought.

Don't trust Chaosium fanboys. I have read the reviews at Amazon, and they are not fair, only the reviews of fanboys with nothing better to do.

I have both games. The CoC d20 book is great, and well playable. If you prefer d20 over any other system, it's the way to go. Especially since BRP CoC rules are so simple if not simplistic (but rule-lite is fast and easy). However, BRP CoC has a lot of supplements and adventures available, which is not the case for the d20 version.