Simplifying Call of Cthulhu: A Character Sheet Revamp

As fans of Call of Cthulhu, we know that the game's robust system can be overwhelming at times. With so many skills to choose from, it's easy to get bogged down in minutiae and lose sight of what really matters - telling great stories. As a seasoned Game Master (GM), I've always been drawn to systems that prioritize narrative over realism. In this article, we'll take a look at my simplified Call of Cthulhu character sheet, designed to streamline the game and make it more accessible to new players.

The first change you'll notice is the consolidation of skills into broad categories. Persuade now represents convincing others of the truth or inspiring them, while Subterfuge covers lying and deception. Socialize encompasses general interactions with others, social etiquette, and information gathering. Larceny has been rebranded to include locksmithing, concealment, and other criminal activities that require manual dexterity.

Combat skills have also undergone a transformation. Instead of separate chances to hit for different weapons, we now group all melee skills under Weaponry, Firearms covers all gun-related attacks, and Brawl handles all unarmed combat.

Alertness has been introduced as a new skill, capturing the ability to listen, spot attackers, respond to threats, and notice important details when the character is passive.

Some long-time fans of Call of Cthulhu may be disappointed by the removal of skills like Craft and Accounting. However, these skills were rarely used in games and have been replaced with more narrative-focused options.

Character creation has also undergone some changes. Instead of individual scores for Intelligence (Int), Education (Edu), and other characteristics, we've introduced a point system. Players receive 50 points to distribute across their existing characteristics, which start at 6 for everything except Education.

Magic Points are now referred to as 'Will,' while Hit Points have been rebranded as 'Health.' Charisma has been reintroduced as an influence on the Socialize skill, bringing the game more in line with the core works of H.P. Lovecraft.

The character sheet itself is designed to be easy to read and navigate, with clear categories and labels. The Call of Cthulhu character sheet lite (240KB PDF) is available for download and can be easily customized to suit your GMing style.

As a tinkerer when it comes to RPG systems, I'm always looking for ways to simplify and streamline gameplay without sacrificing the essence of the game. This simplified character sheet is just one example of how you can tailor Call of Cthulhu to your unique gaming experience. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to the world of Lovecraftian horror, this revamp is sure to bring a fresh perspective to your games.

Call of cthulhu rpg pdf character sheet