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Call of Cthulhu RPG
Call of Cthulhu D20 Roleplaying Game
The long-awaited d20 adaptation of Call of Cthulhu in one all inclusive rulebook.
Since the early 1900's, H.P. Lovecraft has been considered one of the top writers in the entire horror genre. Elements of his work have appeared over the years in numerous horror arenas, but now roleplayers can delve into a campaign centered around the author's popular Cthulhu Mythos. The Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game contains everything needed to play or narrate a roleplaying campaign, including all core-game rules for the d20 game system.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Monte Cook
211 books124 followers
The game designer
Monte Cook started working professionally in the game industry in 1988. In the employ of Iron Crown Enterprises, he worked with the Rolemaster and Champions games as an editor, developer, and designer. In 1994, Monte came to TSR, Inc., as a game designer and wrote for the Planescape and core D&D lines. When that company was purchased by Wizards of the Coast, he moved to the Seattle area and eventually became a senior game designer. At Wizards, he wrote the 3rd Edition Dungeon Master's Guide and served as codesigner of the new edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game. In 2001, he left Wizards to start his own design studio, Malhavoc Press, with his wife Sue. Although in his career he has worked on over 100 game titles, some of his other credits include Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, The Book of Eldritch Might series, the d20 Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game, The Book of Vile Darkness, Monte Cook’s Arcana Evolved, Ptolus, Monte Cook's World of Darkness, and Dungeonaday.com. He was a longtime author of the Dungeoncraft column in Dungeon Magazine. In recent years, Monte has been recognized many times by game fans in the ENnies Awards, the Pen & Paper fan awards, the Nigel D. Findley Memorial Award, the Origins Awards, and more.
The author
A graduate of the 1999 Clarion West writer's workshop, Monte has published two novels, The Glass Prison and Of Aged Angels. Also, he has published the short stories "Born in Secrets" (in the magazine Amazing Stories), "The Rose Window" (in the anthology Realms of Mystery), and "A Narrowed Gaze" (in the anthology Realms of the Arcane). His stories have appeared in the Malhavoc Press anthologies Children of the Rune and The Dragons' Return, and his comic book writing can be found in the Ptolus: City by the Spire series from DBPro/Marvel. His fantasy fiction series, "Saga of the Blade," appeared in Game Trade Magazine from 2005–2006.
The geek
In his spare time, Monte runs games, plays with his dog, watches DVDs, builds vast dioramas out of LEGO building bricks, paints miniatures, and reads a lot of comics.
Monte Cook started working professionally in the game industry in 1988. In the employ of Iron Crown Enterprises, he worked with the Rolemaster and Champions games as an editor, developer, and designer. In 1994, Monte came to TSR, Inc., as a game designer and wrote for the Planescape and core D&D lines. When that company was purchased by Wizards of the Coast, he moved to the Seattle area and eventually became a senior game designer. At Wizards, he wrote the 3rd Edition Dungeon Master's Guide and served as codesigner of the new edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game. In 2001, he left Wizards to start his own design studio, Malhavoc Press, with his wife Sue. Although in his career he has worked on over 100 game titles, some of his other credits include Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, The Book of Eldritch Might series, the d20 Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game, The Book of Vile Darkness, Monte Cook’s Arcana Evolved, Ptolus, Monte Cook's World of Darkness, and Dungeonaday.com. He was a longtime author of the Dungeoncraft column in Dungeon Magazine. In recent years, Monte has been recognized many times by game fans in the ENnies Awards, the Pen & Paper fan awards, the Nigel D. Findley Memorial Award, the Origins Awards, and more.
The author
A graduate of the 1999 Clarion West writer's workshop, Monte has published two novels, The Glass Prison and Of Aged Angels. Also, he has published the short stories "Born in Secrets" (in the magazine Amazing Stories), "The Rose Window" (in the anthology Realms of Mystery), and "A Narrowed Gaze" (in the anthology Realms of the Arcane). His stories have appeared in the Malhavoc Press anthologies Children of the Rune and The Dragons' Return, and his comic book writing can be found in the Ptolus: City by the Spire series from DBPro/Marvel. His fantasy fiction series, "Saga of the Blade," appeared in Game Trade Magazine from 2005–2006.
The geek
In his spare time, Monte runs games, plays with his dog, watches DVDs, builds vast dioramas out of LEGO building bricks, paints miniatures, and reads a lot of comics.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 20, 2018
I enjoy role-playing and I love the Cthulhu Mythos. I'm glad they came out with this book, using the d20 system that most gamers already know. I ran games using this great book for two years and I still use it for reference and enjoyment. Some of the insights into the Mythos are quite enlightening.
August 8, 2008
d 20 broke it
October 4, 2021
I'll come right out and say it: I hate - with a fiery passion and a gut-churning loathing - the D20 system. Furthermore, I hate all of the substandard dreck that has been put out as a result of the Open Game License that WotC tacked on to their sub-par and faux-roleplaying roleplaying game.
Unfortunately, when all that my fellow RP'ers want to play is a system that I loathe, I have little choice but to play it with them, if I want to play at all.
When I saw this book available on the shelves, I admit that I was curious to see how well the percentile-based system found in Chaosium's line of Call of Cthulhu books would translate over.
Unfortunately, not well at all. The whole purpose of the original Call of Cthulhu game was to evoke a sense of oppressive doom and inevitable insanity or destruction at the hands of The Great Old Ones. While evoking a mood relies greatly on the person running the game (as well as the players), I feel a system can add or detract greatly to this effort. In this case, it detracted. The D20 system has, in my opinion, done little to actually enhance the 'story' aspects of roleplaying, instead distilling a game session down to nothing more than a series of dice rolls and number-crunching. Very little emphasis is put towards developing a character or actually playing out the risks of madness and decline that a game as classic as Call of Cthulhu is meant to inspire. Even the Sanity rolls, an integral part of the original percentile-based system, have a kind of 'tacked on' feel to them.
While the mileage may vary for others, I have to say that I was disappointed greatly in this supplement.
Unfortunately, when all that my fellow RP'ers want to play is a system that I loathe, I have little choice but to play it with them, if I want to play at all.
When I saw this book available on the shelves, I admit that I was curious to see how well the percentile-based system found in Chaosium's line of Call of Cthulhu books would translate over.
Unfortunately, not well at all. The whole purpose of the original Call of Cthulhu game was to evoke a sense of oppressive doom and inevitable insanity or destruction at the hands of The Great Old Ones. While evoking a mood relies greatly on the person running the game (as well as the players), I feel a system can add or detract greatly to this effort. In this case, it detracted. The D20 system has, in my opinion, done little to actually enhance the 'story' aspects of roleplaying, instead distilling a game session down to nothing more than a series of dice rolls and number-crunching. Very little emphasis is put towards developing a character or actually playing out the risks of madness and decline that a game as classic as Call of Cthulhu is meant to inspire. Even the Sanity rolls, an integral part of the original percentile-based system, have a kind of 'tacked on' feel to them.
While the mileage may vary for others, I have to say that I was disappointed greatly in this supplement.
October 20, 2014
While the CoC RPG is an all-time classic in the hobby, WotC's d20 version is well worth a look. To a certain degree, there is an "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." aspect to this game. Chaosium's "BRP" version of the game has stood the test of time well. The rules are robust and the game also has the advantage of dozens and dozens of supplemental materials.
Why a d20 version?
Well, back in the heyday of 3rd edition D&D, the CoC conversion was sort of an experiment to see how well an existing system might be ported over. It was never intended as a major product line. All that said, Cook & Petersen did their homework and really delivered a fine gaming product. Is it EXACTLY like BRP CoC? No. Does it lend itself to a slightly "pulpier" feel? Maybe, maybe not. Does it let d20 players experience an authentic Lovecraftian horror game without learning a new system? Absolutely. Horror games are about player buy-in, not rules mechanics IMO. Toward that end, the GM section offering advice for running horror is some of the best I've ever seen, regardless of system.
If you already own or play the original, I can think of no reason to switch to the d20 version, but it's well worth a read. If you are a d20 player –or more comfortable in that rule system– this game will serve you well.
Why a d20 version?
Well, back in the heyday of 3rd edition D&D, the CoC conversion was sort of an experiment to see how well an existing system might be ported over. It was never intended as a major product line. All that said, Cook & Petersen did their homework and really delivered a fine gaming product. Is it EXACTLY like BRP CoC? No. Does it lend itself to a slightly "pulpier" feel? Maybe, maybe not. Does it let d20 players experience an authentic Lovecraftian horror game without learning a new system? Absolutely. Horror games are about player buy-in, not rules mechanics IMO. Toward that end, the GM section offering advice for running horror is some of the best I've ever seen, regardless of system.
If you already own or play the original, I can think of no reason to switch to the d20 version, but it's well worth a read. If you are a d20 player –or more comfortable in that rule system– this game will serve you well.
July 17, 2013
Any gaming system/platform depends almost exclusively on the storyteller's ability to evoke the desired atmosphere during the session. This particular module does a nice job of presenting a Cthulhu-style sandbox in which to play. I've never had trouble using this module to create a fun, memorable campaign which ends invariably with half the characters dead, and the other half on a Haldol drip with a straitjacket securely fastened around their torsos ;)
But I will admit that this adaptation to the d20 system is definitely not all it can be. The older system was less about rolling dice and more about thinking together. Unfortunately, the vast majority of modern gamers want something which resembles WoW, which really neuters a game like this one or, to a lesser extent, the World of Darkness stuff like Vampire: The Masquerade.
Still, in the hands of a good DM, there is enough material here to spin a heckuva good yarn and have the players eating out of his/her hand - all the way to The Great Old Ones' buffet table.
But I will admit that this adaptation to the d20 system is definitely not all it can be. The older system was less about rolling dice and more about thinking together. Unfortunately, the vast majority of modern gamers want something which resembles WoW, which really neuters a game like this one or, to a lesser extent, the World of Darkness stuff like Vampire: The Masquerade.
Still, in the hands of a good DM, there is enough material here to spin a heckuva good yarn and have the players eating out of his/her hand - all the way to The Great Old Ones' buffet table.
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February 16, 2016My favorite anecdote about this involves the stats for the d20 Cthulhu. The story I heard has a bunch of Wizards of the Coast employees using 20th level versions of the iconic characters-- Lidda, Tordek, Ember, etc-- to fight him. When your PC dies, you come back next round with a fresh PC. Cthulhu took out more than a dozen 20th level adventurers before finally getting the spell Imprisonment cast on him. Which is pretty much where "Call of Cthulhu" picks up, so...sounds mechanically balanced to me!-- MK
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January 15, 2019Un juego de rol paradójico. Aunque entiendo que esto es muy subjetivo, el sistema d20 me parece en las antípodas de lo que una historia de horror (mucho menos, del lovecraftiano) necesita. Aun así, este juego está muy bien diseñado. Los que gusten del sistema encontrarán una adaptación pormenorizada del mismo a los elementos superficiales del género de horror cósmico. Aunque lo mejor, y de ahí la paradoja, es que los capítulos dedicados a la ambientación y los consejos de narración para el director de juego tienen una calidad sobresaliente y son perfectamente aprovechables por cualquier narrador que quiera trasladar historias de los Mitos a la mesa de juego. En ese sentido, me han parecido dos libros en uno. A mí me resultaría imposible aplicar la mitad de criterios y consejos narrativos que ellos mismos proponen mientras estoy calculando tantos modificadores y controlando efectos en tantas tablas, pero habrá para quien el sistema d20 sea algo tan natural que eso no le suponga ningún problema.
November 8, 2007
I have never played this game. This book is excellent. I am sad.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews