Call of Cthulhu- which version should I buy?

[ShadowDenizen]

If you're going to play Cthulhu, you should defnitely go with the BRP: it's been around for 20 years (give or take), and has been through 6 incarnations. The rules system is easy and efficient to learn, and it really allows the GM to focus on the story rather the rules. (This is trap that WotC has fallen into under 3/3.5 rules, but that's another rant for another thread.)

The COCD20 book itslef in nice, but the "Level SYstem" just doesn't quite cut it, as COCBRP is a "Skill-Based" system. Having characters gain HP, skills, stats, etc, just seems to mitigate that feeling of gnawing dread and hopelessness that is as the heart of any HPL story or COC game.

Also, D20COC is, as I understand it, dead in the water. They procuded the Core Book and Nocturnum (which is a reasonable module, but nowhere near as good as any of the COC classics, like "Horror on the Orient Express", "Masks of Nyarlathotep", "Beyond teh Mountains of Madness", and literally dozens of others.) Sure, there were a couple of dual-statted books, but those weren't even really on my radar.

 

[Macbeth]

I like the d20 version. I have some experience with both, but I only own the d20. In my opinion, the contrast of gaining levels while loosing sanity makes a great game. Sure, your character makes definite progress, gaining HP and such, but there's really no stopping the loss of Sanity, so it's all hopeless in the end.

To me, this works very well for Cthulhu. Sure, having 'stronger' characters may be a bit out of genre, but that doesn't stop the loss of sanity.

 

[Gomez]

*Must resist getting on soap box!*


Well to each his own. Though I have run several great d20 CoC games and there was no lack of role-play or the mythos mood in any of them.

 

[Thorin Stoutfoot]

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...)

Don't forget my own Masks of Nyarlathotep conversion at http://www.geocities.com/choonpiaw. That'll turn the classic CoC campaign into a CoC d20 game.

 

[KaosDevice]

*Must resist getting on soap box!*


Well to each his own. Though I have run several great d20 CoC games and there was no lack of role-play or the mythos mood in any of them.

Like always its all about the GM and the players really. Systemwise YMMV as is obvious from above.

 

[DnDChick]

If you do decide to go with D20, my website has a lot of monster conversions from older modules and adventures which don't appear in the d20 book.

http://members.aol.com/countrygrrlhere/cofcd20.html

 

[griff_goodbeard]

Thanks for all the advise. In the end I'll probably grabbing both systems (I'm a horrible book junkie, what can I say It's an addiction) I probably start off by getting the BRP and getting the d20 version down the road (wow that's an expensve sourcebook).

What edition of the BRP game would you recommend? Also, what accessories would you recommend picking up?

 

[Odhanan]

Depends on what you wanna do, really.

If the idea of PCs being helpless and mundane in front of the horrors of the mythos appeals to you, then go for Chaosium. If however you'd like something more "pulp", with PCs evolving and adventurers a la Indiana Jones, you'll get better results with d20 CoC.

The background of the mythos is better explained in the d20 version as well.

 

[jcfiala]

I've used both, and in both cases have had great effect.

In fact, I'm currently introducing a bunch of D&D players to Call of Cthulhu d20, and we're all having a blast - we mostly didn't even touch our dice last session, except for a few skill rolls now and again.

Use what feels comfortable to you. But the d20 book does have some great stuff in it about how to run the game.

 

[MonsterMash]

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 have it - its suitable as a stand alone product as it contains rules revised for the setting and an introductory scenario, the setting is very dark even by CoC standards as players have little ability to hurt anything that can potentially be dealt with in settings with firearms (e.g. deep ones).

Its a solid product with a decent bibliography (useful).