Cthulhu Modern?

[Orcus]

Hi!

I was thinking of playing a Call of Cthulhu campaign and found myself wondering if it might not be better to use d20 Modern rules with CoC specific stuff (Sanity, spells, etc) rather than the "offensive" or "defensive" character from CoC d20. Has anyone considered this? Post thoughts here.

Clark

 

[Alzrius]

I recall asking something along the lines of this at the d20 Modern seminar last GenCon. My question was basically how much overlap there would be between the two, since they would both have extensive rules for modern-day characters.

Anyway, since I don't have d20 Modern, take my thoughts here with a grain of salt.

It probably depends of the flavor of your CoC game. The biggest difference, as I understand it, is that there are no classes in CoC, whereas d20 Modern has them. Running characters that way will probably give them more of a fighting chance (though not much more, since you're keeping CoC's spell system and sanity rules). I personally think, from what I've heard/read about d20 Modern's hero classes, that they allow for more variety in a character, and the occupation packages are a great touch as well.

Beyond that...what other tangible differences are there in mechanics that you're thinking of implementing?

 

[2WS-Steve]

I agree with everything Alzrius says. The character construction in CoC d20 feels more like the character construction in Chaosium's CoC but in all my CoC games my players enjoyed them a lot more when they had some special abilities. d20 Modern gives characters some cool and unique powers, both in the combat areas and non-combat areas.

And of course, Fast Hero 5/Gunslinger5's still get eaten by hunting horrors. Call of Cthulhu has this great levelling effect on player characters.

 

[AmbushBug]

I would agree that D20 Modern would work better as a character generation standpoint for Coc... but D20 Modern Screams CHILL to me personally

 

[Kesh]

Use d20 Modern if you want a paramilitary-horror campaign (The Dog Soldiers) or an action-horror campaign (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Madness and magic rules from CoC d20 are still very appropriate, however, as are the monsters.

Stick to CoC d20 if you want an "oh-my-god-that's-wrong-get-away!-*whimper*" campaign. (Hellraiser)

 

[Sagan Darkside]

Salutations,

The mechanics of the sanity rules in CoC are pretty easily dropped into most d20 games.

I dropped them into Spycraft without a hiccup, and am planning to put in some of them into a future d&d game- I don't see any problems coming from that either. (Well, not for the dm.. )

SD

 

[Orcus]

What are all of your opinions about whether d20 Modern or d20 CoC is a better fit for firearm combat?

Clark

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Hmmm...well, I've been playing in a CoCd20 campaign for a few months now, and it does seem to have a more "Cthulhu" feel than d20 Modern.But, bear in mind I haven't yet played a d20 Modern game. For a Lovecraftian game, i'd stick with the CoCd20 firearms rules. If you play a Delta Green d20 game, i'd say use the d20 Modern fireams rules.

 

[JeffB]

Clark,

Hmm..depends on what you want...

IMO, D20M is too rules heavy for CoC..especially in the areas of combat...and I don't even want to talk about car chases..D20M chase rules are like a miniature wargame in itself (similar to D20 SW), where you pay "points" for maneuvers and have to track stuff on grids like fire-arcs...very un-cinematic...Not to mention the extra time involved in chargen with a game that usually leads to an early demise for characters.

If you want the emphasis on the storyline, plot, mysteries, etc, D20 CoC is the best choice, if you are more interested in rollling dice and detail in the game systems try D20M.

for CoC Simpler has always been better, IME.

 

[Orcus]

I agree simpler is better for CoC. Do you think all the right skills are there? I have been toying with seperating a "Library Use" sill from "Gather Information," since the first strikes me as research and the second strikes me as obtaining info from people.

Has anyone added or changed the d20 CoC skills to make it more like the original game?

Clark