Call of Cthulhu- which version should I buy?

[Committed Hero]

I think the mechanics of d20 are better. BRP for me hasn't really stood the test of time. And as far as levels go, characters below 5th level are probably weaker than their BRP counterparts. So if you keep characters relatively low powered I think you can replicate the frailty of BRP.

 

[griff_goodbeard]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Another question. Is the d20 set in modern times? I remember playing a "Cthulhu by Gaslight" set in the 20's or something like that. I'd like to stay in that time period. I'd imaginge that changing the time period can't be that hard, something akin to changing from Greyhawk to FR. But does d20 support playing in different time periods.

 

[Gomez]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Another question. Is the d20 set in modern times? I remember playing a "Cthulhu by Gaslight" set in the 20's or something like that. I'd like to stay in that time period. I'd imaginge that changing the time period can't be that hard, something akin to changing from Greyhawk to FR. But does d20 support playing in different time periods.

There is no set time frame for the CoC d20 Rules. They can cover anything from Gaslight to Modern. In fact in the d20 book has a guide on running CoC in different genres.

 

[Turanil]

There is no set time frame for the CoC d20 Rules. They can cover anything from Gaslight to Modern. In fact in the d20 book has a guide on running CoC in different genres.

Right, but the book just provides short guidelines. As said earlier, d20 CoC is only about rules, no setting; plus no supplements have been released. For that, you would have to look at BRP Cthulhu. Now maybe it would be an excuse for using the BRP rules? However, in any case, if you can buy a d20 CoC book, I suggest to do it, since it isn't anymore printed, and thus will eventually become a collector (it's an excellent quality book).

 

[MonsterMash]

I'll say I actually prefer using the BRP version personally, but both are good products.

 

[TheLostSoul]

I prefer the BRP version to the D20 version. Perhaps due to a personal dislike of the D20 rules, allthough the CoC d20 rules are some of the best I have seen. The BRP version is percentage based and is very easily learned. The rulessystem is quick and effective, even if it is a bit minimalistic (I prefer more simple systems as I find they makes it easier to tell a story and to encourage roleplaying. I base this on experiences from my group).

It was said earlier that the difficulties are set, but this is not true, IIRC. As far as I remember, there is an option in the rules (5.5 and 6 ed. at least) that you can modify a roll by adding or subtracting a number. I you want to simulate a difficult surgical operation, you would decide that the player should add 20 to his roll, for example. Thereby making the roll more difficult. I am sure I found this in the rules somewhere. I have used it and it works alright.

Another good reason to choose the BRP version is that most supplements are written for it. There are a few products dualstatted, but Chaosium has discontinued this. Most likely because it made the book more expensive in developement and printing and because it did not bring increased profit with it.

 

[TheLostSoul]

Chtulhu by Gaslight is set in England in the 1890'ties. The core BRP rulebook covers all time periods from the 1890'ties to modern times. Mainly focused on three areas. Late Victorian, the 1920'ties (the period of most of H.P. Lovecraft's writings) and modern. The main focus for the D20 book was meant to be the 1930'ties (Pulp Chtulhu) although it was not required to play in that era. There is supposed to be a Pulp Chtulhu book in developement, but it will probably not be released anytime soon.

Chaosium recently released a Chtulhu Dark Ages book focusing on the late middle ages (ca. 1000 AD). This book is supposed to be okay, but I have only seen a couple of reviews and looked at it a couple of times in my flgs.

 

[KaosDevice]

Chaosium recently released a Chtulhu Dark Ages book focusing on the late middle ages (ca. 1000 AD). This book is supposed to be okay, but I have only seen a couple of reviews and looked at it a couple of times in my flgs.

I rather liked Cthulhu Dark Ages. I wrote a review of it over at revolutionsf.com. The BRP CoC game was geared towards the 1920's. It seems like now they are migrating away from that slighty in the main rules. I would imagine somewhat due to the huge popularity of Delta Green and other modern conspiracy horror games.

 

[Henry]

I prefer BRP for all of the little extras it has, it does evoke tone and feel better to me.

However, for anything lasting more than a few games, d20 works better for me -- it's not as darned hopeless-feeling. I have had absolutely zero success running a long-term BRP version game, because my players feel that for a long-term character, the beginning is the best you're ever going to be; it's all downhill from there.

 

[Gomez]

Chtulhu by Gaslight is set in England in the 1890'ties. The core BRP rulebook covers all time periods from the 1890'ties to modern times. Mainly focused on three areas. Late Victorian, the 1920'ties (the period of most of H.P. Lovecraft's writings) and modern. The main focus for the D20 book was meant to be the 1930'ties (Pulp Chtulhu) although it was not required to play in that era. There is supposed to be a Pulp Chtulhu book in developement, but it will probably not be released anytime soon.

Chaosium recently released a Chtulhu Dark Ages book focusing on the late middle ages (ca. 1000 AD). This book is supposed to be okay, but I have only seen a couple of reviews and looked at it a couple of times in my flgs.

The d20 CoC book did not focus on any specific time frame. Pulp Cthulhu was to be a d20 or duel stated book in response to the D20 book put out by Wizards. But Choasium has turned it's back on anything d20 and will not be putting out any d20 material. Pulp Cthulhu which was to be set in the 1930's is now going to be a BRP book only though I doubt if we will see it anytime in the near future if at all.