MythicJustice
Explorer
Ok, I've heard a lot about the CoC magic system lately and I'm very curious how it works.
Can someone give me a brief overview?
Can someone give me a brief overview?
[CoC] Magic - How does it work?
- Thread starter MythicJustice
- Start date
Henry
Autoexreginated
The Chaosium one, or the d20 one?
The Chaosium system (also known as the BRP system) uses a pool of "magic points" that the caster has, and the caster must know the spell. If they know the spell, and have the magic points, they can cast it. If they go to zero magic points, they lose consciousness (from straining their force of will to cast the spell, or what have you). Most spells also have a sanity point cost to cast them - lose too much sanity, and you go insane.
The d20 COC system uses temporary (and in some spells permanent) ability score loss to fuel the spells. Again, most spells also have a sanity point cost. Sanity in both versions work identically - it's a number between 1 and 100, and certain actions make you gain or lose sanity.
The Chaosium system (also known as the BRP system) uses a pool of "magic points" that the caster has, and the caster must know the spell. If they know the spell, and have the magic points, they can cast it. If they go to zero magic points, they lose consciousness (from straining their force of will to cast the spell, or what have you). Most spells also have a sanity point cost to cast them - lose too much sanity, and you go insane.
The d20 COC system uses temporary (and in some spells permanent) ability score loss to fuel the spells. Again, most spells also have a sanity point cost. Sanity in both versions work identically - it's a number between 1 and 100, and certain actions make you gain or lose sanity.
MythicJustice
Explorer
Temporary and permanent Ability damage.. interesting. That is definately a limiting factor for magic use. How much Ability damage is done with a spell (in general)?
It's also interesting that the regular CoC spell system seems more geared towards magic use as a character doesn't take any damage from spell casting besides the sanity loss.
It's also interesting that the regular CoC spell system seems more geared towards magic use as a character doesn't take any damage from spell casting besides the sanity loss.
Henry
Autoexreginated
The ability score loss is anywhere from 1 point to several DICE worth of points (e.g. 1d6, 2d4, 2d6, etc.) - it varies by the power of the spell, and what it's obvious effects are.
The chaosium, while more geared toward spellcasting, is also deadly, because most average PC's will have anywhere from 5 to 20 magic points, and can become stressed to the point of unconsciousness by a tough spell. Both systems would see about the same amount of spellcasting, if truth be told - though evil insane cultists would likely be tossing far more spells in the BRP version, because of items that can store magic points, and because they laugh at sanity loss (maniacally, with unerving gleams in their eyes).
The chaosium, while more geared toward spellcasting, is also deadly, because most average PC's will have anywhere from 5 to 20 magic points, and can become stressed to the point of unconsciousness by a tough spell. Both systems would see about the same amount of spellcasting, if truth be told - though evil insane cultists would likely be tossing far more spells in the BRP version, because of items that can store magic points, and because they laugh at sanity loss (maniacally, with unerving gleams in their eyes).
trancejeremy
Adventurer
Well, in the Chaosium version, generally only Characters with a high POW will be casting spells. At least has been my experience (though it's been a while since I played BRP CoC).
Another twist is that d20 Call of Cthulhu has psychic powers. I don't think BRP CoC has them. At least the version I used to own (I think 3rd or 4th edition)
Another twist is that d20 Call of Cthulhu has psychic powers. I don't think BRP CoC has them. At least the version I used to own (I think 3rd or 4th edition)
