D&D General Cthulhu by Torchlight Brings Mythos To D&D

Dungeons & Dragons 5E lead designer Mike Mearls' latest project combines his current and former employers--on D&D Beyond you can now access a digital exclusive product from Chaosium which brings the Cthulhu Mythos to D&D 5th Edition.

The supplement is called Cthulhu by Torchlight and includes subclasses, feats, and spells designed for 5E.

Cthulhu by Torchlight adds a new subclass to each of the character classes in the new Player’s Handbook, along with over two dozen Mythos-themed spells, a new background, and new Origin feats. For DMs, it holds over 20 horrid monsters of the Cthulhu Mythos. Rules for Passions and Dreadful Insights amplify roleplaying by putting mechanics behind your characters’ personality, while the skill challenge rules provide a framework for investigation, interaction, and other non-combat encounters.

 

[Charlaquin]

Interesting! Looks like a product I might go for, although I'm not keen on it being a DDB exclusive.

Reminds me of the D&D/Cthulhu crossover hardcover WotC itself did back in the 3E era. I never got around to using it at the table, but it was a beautiful book . . .

There was a lot to love about that book. Unfortunately, the system was… well, it was just 3.5 with a coat of Lovecraftian paint, unfortunately. The adventures, the lore, and the GMing advice were excellent. The rules were disappointing.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I kind of dig the picture of Karaoke Cthulhu.

Interesting tidbit: Cthulhu's go-to karaoke song is "Friends in Low Places."

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

I'm of the 100% opposite feeling side! It is why the world has so much, non one wants the same thing. I do wish we could filter stuff better for sure.

I dont mind it being on Beyond - but its literally sorted directly with the 1st party stuff, sandwiched between the Bigby and Eberron books in the list. Its confusing to casual players to differentiate.

I've had players show up with random crap because "It's on DNDbeyond" in the past, and the more they add the more of a problem that will become.

 

[Zaukrie]

I dont mind it being on Beyond - but its literally sorted directly with the 1st party stuff, sandwiched between the Bigby and Eberron books in the list. Its confusing to casual players to differentiate.

I've had players show up with random crap because "It's on DNDbeyond" in the past, and the more they add the more of a problem that will become.

Agreed, I really want to be able to filter stuff more. I make sure to talk to my players about this kind of stuff.....otoh, I usually just say yes, because I don't care all that much as long as it isn't ridiculously broken.

 

[Desdichado]

There was a lot to love about that book. Unfortunately, the system was… well, it was just 3.5 with a coat of Lovecraftian paint, unfortunately. The adventures, the lore, and the GMing advice were excellent. The rules were disappointing.

I actually think the problem with the rules was less about it not working for the theme and tone of CoC (arguably very low level d20 CoC characters are more fragile than BRP CoC characters, and if you're playing in such a way that they're leveling up to 10th level, you've only got yourself to blame for it not really working—then again, I only really used it for one-shots and mini-campaigns, so leveling was never an issue. The tactical combat, however, was kinda not really what I was looking for in a CoC game...) less so than that I've been so incredibly over d20 and the rulesy fiddlesomeness of that system that I can't imagine ever using it again for anything.

That said, the appendix about porting the Cthulhu stuff into your 3e D&D game was, as you say, the inverse of the rest of the book and more like what this looks like. That's something that I think is pretty interesting. I wonder if this is complementary or competing with the Sandy Petersen Cthulhu Mythos stuff for 5e?

 

[Charlaquin]

I actually think the problem with the rules was less about it not working for the theme and tone of CoC (arguably very low level d20 CoC characters are more fragile than BRP CoC characters, and if you're playing in such a way that they're leveling up to 10th level, you've only got yourself to blame for it not really working—then again, I only really used it for one-shots and mini-campaigns, so leveling was never an issue. The tactical combat, however, was kinda not really what I was looking for in a CoC game...) less so than that I've been so incredibly over d20 and the rulesy fiddlesomeness of that system that I can't imagine ever using it again for anything.

That said, the appendix about porting the Cthulhu stuff into your 3e D&D game was, as you say, the inverse of the rest of the book and more like what this looks like. That's something that I think is pretty interesting. I wonder if this is complementary or competing with the Sandy Petersen Cthulhu Mythos stuff for 5e?

Yeah, I think you and I are very much of one mind on the d20 book.

 

[bedir than]

Agreed, I really want to be able to filter stuff more. I make sure to talk to my players about this kind of stuff.....otoh, I usually just say yes, because I don't care all that much as long as it isn't ridiculously broken.

a DM should be able to select allowed character creation options when they make a campaign

They can select sharable content, but it doesn't impact the creator

 

[Zaukrie]

a DM should be able to select allowed character creation options when they make a campaign

They can select sharable content, but it doesn't impact the creator

Agreed.

 

[Sketchpad]

I would prefer if it were the other way around. Running a sword & sorcery game in Call of Cthulhu could be a hoot. Lethal, but a hoot.

And yes, I have Cthulhu Dark Ages, but I think something designed to be more pulpy would be fun.

 

[TravDoc42]

Any word on if the monsters have 2014 or 2024 stat blocks?