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Why We Love Call of Cthulhu, And Why So Many People Suck At ItBy: Matt SanbornSee all of Matt Sanborn's Reviews and Articles
COC is an RPG where those who will pore through ancient, maddening tomes, examine building blueprints, trace genealogical trees, and observe rather than react, will be successful, as this RPG is for the cream of the gaming crop. The game stands out from all other role playing games for one single reason – the intelligence and skill of its players and game-masters (Keepers). And this is the reason that so few people can play it, or play it well. A veteran gamer once said to me about D&D: "All you need is six rolls and a sword and you're ready to go." Cthulhu characters must be layered, nuanced and well researched. A decent understanding of early twentieth-century American and in some cases world history is a must to play. Running the game requires a very capable grasp of this history. In any fantasy game, the GM makes up the past and the environs, but here it is fact, and the Keeper must not be found unawares, or it takes away from the entire playing experience. Recently I had the misfortune to play a game with less-than skilled participants. One played a minister who tried not only to burn down a castle where people were being held hostage, but also drown an individual he didn't like. Another was solely obsessed with trying to learn spells so he could smite the opponent. A third placed all of his skill points into his arms skills; only to be disappointed --he never fired his gun once in three sessions. A perfectly good game, run by a very capable Keeper, was ruined.
Not to sound too much like an old gaming grognard, but when RPGs first hit the public consciousness, (meaning moved out of Wisconsin), only the most sharpest, most intellectually curious individuals with great imagination and vocabulary were playing. Now anyone with dice, a few friends and a cellar can play games like Dungeons and Dragons, (which has been dumb-ed down considerably over its subsequent editions for mass appeal). No matter how foolish or incurious the players, all answers are at the end of a sword, and that is how today so many people like it. I believe another reason came from a player in a COC game I participated in: "I'm just an average guy with an average job. Wife and kids. Why would I want to portray an average guy in a game?" Although one can see the attraction of high-fantasy games, one needs to focus on the esoteric and creeping horror of a well run COC adventure. The slow descent into madness, as the more you know and the more aware of these cosmic terrors you become, the more insane and less stable your character. Over the next few weeks I will be writing some pieces discussing the intricacies and subtleties of the game Call of Cthulhu, and hope not only can I show why you should want to play this game, but to improve the play of those interested, but have yet to fully grasp this RPG's amazing potential.
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