[CoC]Mythos critters vs PCs in a dark fantasy setting

[Geoffrey]

I plan on writing a d20 Call of Cthulhu adventure with the following variants:

1. Technology is that of the 13th century A. D.

2. All PCs get Sanity resistance of 3 points plus 1 point per level (as per page 287 of CoC) when encountering Mythos creatures.

3. I'm upping the Massive Damage threshold to the D&D level (30 or 50 hps, I can't remember which).

4. Generally speaking, only three things will cost sanity: use of artifacts and tomes, use of spells, and encountering Mythos creatures and deities.

It's essentially going to be a dungeon crawl using the CoC rules, with the above changes. In light of these considerations, how much reliance should I place on the Challenge Ratings of the monsters? Page 157 says, "for several reasons, the average CofC investigator isn't as tough as the average D&D character." As you can see, I've toughened the PCs up a bit (less prone to insanity and instant death), but at the same time they will have swords and crossbows instead of firearms.

Will CoC PCs of 10th level (for example) be moderately challenged by Mythos creatures with a CR of 10? Or will the PCs be slaughtered?

 

[Crothian]

I'd say slaughtered. One of the things that CoC characters really lack in compaired to D&D counterparts is magic. Creatures with CR 10 will normally need some type of magical aid to defeat. CoC characters get great skills and skill points, but just don't have the HPs, or attack power to really stand up to creatures of equal CR.

 

[Geoffrey]

Hmm. Good point. I could easily boost the PCs hit die from a d6 to a d8 or a d10, but I don't want to change the magic rules.

 

[LostSoul]

Why not let the players play Fighters, Rogues, and Barbarians (and maybe Rangers without magic)? That way you can keep the CoC magic without having to worry too much about weak PC classes.

 

[kengar]

Check out this site. It may give you some ideas as well.

 

[Geoffrey]

Why not let the players play Fighters, Rogues, and Barbarians (and maybe Rangers without magic)? That way you can keep the CoC magic without having to worry too much about weak PC classes.

That sounds like a pretty good idea!

 

[drnuncheon]

Why not let the players play Fighters, Rogues, and Barbarians (and maybe Rangers without magic)? That way you can keep the CoC magic without having to worry too much about weak PC classes.

Might want to include some of the NPC classes for more variety, or some alternate core classes. Courtier or Noble, maybe an upgraded Expert, or some of the stuff from thr FFG Path Of books like the Hunter or the Outdoorsman.

J